Entries Open for $60,000 Melbourne Prize for Urban Sculpture 2026
Melbourne Prize
Key Facts:· Entries open today for the Melbourne Prize for Urban Sculpture 2026
· The main prize is valued at $60,000 (incl. GST)
· Two-week residencies offered at Falls Creek Alpine Resort
· Open to Victorian residents only
For Immediate Release Monday, 18 May 2026
Entries Open for $60,000 Melbourne Prize for Urban Sculpture 2026
Entries open today for the $60,000 Melbourne Prize for Urban Sculpture 2026, one of Australia’s most valuable and respected art awards.
Victorian artists at all career stages working across expanded forms of sculpture, including public installation, new media, performance, sound and socially engaged practice, are invited to apply.
The Prize will support the professional development of the winning artist, who must outline how the funds will advance their practice.
Now in its 22nd year, the annual Melbourne Prize cycle includes this year’s Melbourne Prize for Urban Sculpture, to be followed by the Melbourne Prize for Literature (2027) and the Melbourne Prize for Music (2028).
Melbourne Prize Trust Executive Director and Founder, Simon Warrender OAM, said interest in this year’s Prize has been unprecedented. “We have had record registrations of interest, reflecting the vibrancy of our arts sector. This year’s Prize is made possible thanks to the generosity of our patrons and partners. It is vital that we continue to support artists, especially in the current economic climate, as they are at the heart of a healthy and creative community,” he said.
Supported by Major Patron The Vera Moore Foundation, the $60,000 Melbourne Prize for Urban Sculpture 2026 will be awarded to a Victorian sculptor to directly benefit their artistic career and professional development.
Falls Creek Sculptors Residencies 2026 is supported by Falls Creek Alpine Resort and consists of two separate 14-day residencies, one to each of two recipients. Each recipient will receive $1,000 (incl. GST) supported by the Melbourne Prize Trust.
The 2026 judging panel comprises three leading arts professionals: Maree Clarke artist, Max Delany independent curator, writer and consultant, and Sophie Oxenbridge, Senior Curator, Contemporary Art, National Gallery of Victoria.
From 13–26 November, Founding Event Partner Fed Square will host an information exhibit showcasing the four Melbourne Prize for Urban Sculpture finalists and include interviews with finalists, judges and partners. Visitors will be able to vote for the $2,000 (incl. GST) Civic Choice Award. Fed Square will provide $1,000 to each non-winning finalist.
Entry Forms and Guidelines are now available at www.melbourneprize.org. Entries may be submitted by artists or by nomination.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which the Melbourne Prize Trust
operates, the People of the Kulin Nation and pay our respects to Elders past, present and future.
Key dates:
• Entries open May 18 / Entries close July 6 at 5pm
• Finalists announced September 16 at www.melbourneprize.org / Civic Choice Award 2026 public voting opens
• Winners announced November 26 at www.melbourneprize.org
For more information or for interview opportunities contact Adi Stevens at Royce on 0407 411 088.Notes to the editor:
The Melbourne Prize Trust was established in 2005 to recognise and reward talent, excellence and
inspire creative development. The Trust achieves this by running the annual Melbourne Prize, which is
funded by private and public sector partnerships and patrons. The Melbourne Prize Trust and annual
Melbourne Prize were founded by Executive Director, Simon Warrender OAM. Committee for Melbourne is a founding partner.
In its 22nd year and being one of the most valuable arts prizes of its kind in Australia, the annual Melbourne Prize operates in a three-year cycle, including the Melbourne Prize for Music & Awards (2025), Melbourne Prize for Urban Sculpture & Awards (2026) and the Melbourne Prize for Literature & Awards (2027).
Thank you to the Melbourne Prize Trust Chairman and Board of Directors.
Since inception, the annual Melbourne Prize has made available more than $2.5 million in prizes, residencies, equipment grants and an annual public exhibition at Fed Square to Victorian writers, sculptors and musicians.
The origins of the Melbourne Prize Trust date back to The Magic Pudding sculpture commission and CBD-based children's garden concept at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne – an initiative of Simon Warrender implemented in 1998 through Committee for Melbourne’s Future Focus Group.
Thank you to our Partners and Patrons:
The Vera Moore Foundation is acknowledged and thanked for their most generous support as Major Patron and key partner of the Melbourne Prize for Urban Sculpture 2026.
We acknowledge and thank Falls Creek Alpine Resort for supporting the new Falls Creek Sculptors Residencies.
Fed Square is the Finalist Fee and Foundation Events Partner and ‘home’ of the annual Melbourne Prize. Their generous support from inception is greatly appreciated.
The Melbourne Prize Trust is proud to have the City of Melbourne multi-year grant funding, as Government Partners.
Thank you to our Founding Partners Playground Studio, Committee for Melbourne, MinterEllison and EY.
Thank you to Hotel Partner Sofitel Melbourne On Collins, the Hotel for the Arts.
The visual identity and design for this year’s Prize is the creation of leading Melbourne design studio and Founding & Creative Identity Partner, Playground. Thank you to CEO Sally Dobell and the team for the generous partnership and for providing the head office of the Trust.
Thank you to this year’s patrons Diana Gibson AO, The Yulgilbar Foundation, Bill Kirk & Janine Kirk AO, Lindy M Shelmerdine and David K H Moffatt and The Scanlon Foundation.
Thank you Grant Thornton and Jamison Alliott for professional services. Many thanks to Kine Graffiti for the videography for the finalist interview and event photography. Thank you to 360Q as our catering partner and Evan Evans for providing the exhibition banners and signage.
Thank you to The Mighty Wonton for our IT support and website development and Royce for media services. Thank you to our Print Partners Ellikon, Spicers and Rothfield and Nyora Studio Gallery for hand-crafting the presentation trophy this year.
The Melbourne Prize Trust is proud to have Kutcha Edwards as its Cultural Advisor.
All announcements and further information will be available at www.melbourneprize.orgPast recipients:
2023
Melbourne Prize for Urban Sculpture 2023 – Maree Clarke
Civic Choice Award 2023 – Vipoo Srivilasa
2020
Melbourne Prize for Urban Sculpture 2020 - six finalists shared the Prize - Beth Arnold, Mikala Dwyer, Emily Floyd, Nicholas Mangan, Kathy Temin and Field Theory.
Rural & Regional Development Award 2020 - Laura Woodward
Professional Development Award 2020 - Isadora Vaughan
Civic Choice Award 2020 - Field Theory
2017
Melbourne Prize for Urban Sculpture 2017 - Daniel von Sturmer - Electric Light
(facts/figures/federation square), 2017
Public Artwork Design Concept Award 2017 - Emma Anna - The Elocwean Rainbow, 2017
Professional Development Award 2017 - Bridie Lunney - Fold, 2017
Rural & Regional Development Award 2017 - Fayen d’Evie
Civic Choice Award 2017 - Sarah crowEST
2014
Melbourne Prize for Urban Sculpture 2014 – Geoff Robinson 15 locations/15 minutes/ 15days, 2014
Professional Development Award 2014 – Kay Abude Piecework (Federation Sqaure)
Rural & Regional Development Award 2014 – Aleks Danko
Civic Choice Award 2014 – Kay Abude Piecework (Federation Sqaure)
2011
2011
Melbourne Prize for Urban Sculpture 2011 - Bianca Hester A world, fully accessible by no living being
Professional Development Award 2011 - Lucas Maddock and Isaac Greener Apostle No.2 2011
Civic Choice Award 2011 - Lucas Maddock and Isaac Greener Apostle No.2 2011
2008
Melbourne Prize for Urban Sculpture 2008 - Alexander Knox maxims of behaviour 2008
Professional Development Award 2008 - Tom Nicholson Monument for the flooding of Royal Park 2008
VicUrban Award 2008 - Louise Paramor Tritonic Jam Session 2008
Civic Choice Award 2008 - Elaine Miles Reflections 2007
2005
Melbourne Prize for Urban Sculpture 2005 - OSW: Terri Bird, Bianca Hester, Natasha Johns-
Messenger and Scott Mitchell groundings 2005
Professional Development Award 2005 - Karen Abernethy echophene 2004
Fabrication Award 2005 - Simon Perry Public Address 2005
Civic Choice Award 2005 - Matthew de Moiser Parasite 2005
Contact details:
Adi Stevens
0407 411 088
