Melbourne Prize for Urban Sculpture 2026

$60,000

Generously supported by major patron, The Vera Moore Foundation

The Prize will be awarded to a Victorian sculptor to provide the winner with direct professional development opportunities to develop their practice.

Entrants must provide information on how the Prize funds will be used for a clearly defined initiative/s or project/s that will develop the entrant’s practice, building on their previous professional work.

Artists practicing in expanded fields of sculpture, including public installation, new media, performance, sound-based and socially engaged practice are welcome to apply.

Application is encouraged from artists at all stages of their practice, including First Nations people and artists from all genders and cultural, linguistic and diverse backgrounds.

To enter a resume outlining the entrant’s previous or current professional work and experience must be provided, along with images of previous, current or planned work and how the Prize funds will be used to benefit the entrant’s practice – click on the link below to go to the Entry Form.

Information on the four Melbourne Prize for Urban Sculpture 2026 finalists will be available at Fed Square from November 13 – 26 November, along with a digital catalogue and online interviews. Finalist are NOT required to produce a work for exhibition at Fed Square.

The sum of $1,000 (incl. GST) will be made available to the three runner-up finalists, generously supported by Fed Square.

What you need to know to enter this prize

• Individual artists or groups can apply for this Prize in their own right or be nominated by an agent or private individuals.
• Entrants MUST be a Victorian sculptor, an Australian citizen or permanent resident and a resident of the State of Victoria.
• All members of a group entry must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident and a resident of the State of Victoria.
• A maximum of four (4) finalists will be announced on 16 September at melbourneprize.org
• This year finalists are NOT required to produce a work for exhibition at Fed Square.
• Information on the four finalists and a digital catalogue will be available at Fed Square from 13 – 26 November.
• The four selected finalists will be eligible for the Civic Choice Award 2026 – voting will open on this website on 16 September, with the winner announce don this website on November 16.
• The recipient of this 2026 Prize will be announced to the media and on this website on 26 November 2026.

Entry material required

• A resume including a summary of the individual entrant’s or group’s professional work, plus photographs.
• Information on how the Prize funds will be used on a clearly defined initiative/s or project/s that will develop the entrant’s practice, building on their previous professional work.
• Where an entry is by nomination, a commendation of the entrant must be provided by the nominator.

Click here for the Entry Form

Civic Choice Award 2026
$2,000

Supported by the Melbourne Prize Trust

This Award will be given to a finalist in the Melbourne Prize for Urban Sculpture 2026 with the highest number of votes cast during the public voting period.

Voting will open on 16 September at melbourneprize.org

The winner will be announced at melbourneprize.org 26 November.