The iconic Melville Art Awards will celebrate its 50th edition this year, marking five decades of supporting Western Australian artists this year as they return to the City of Melville Main Hall from Saturday, 24 October to Sunday, 8 November 2026.
The Awards will continue a legacy that has helped launch careers, build collections and connect thousands of artists and art lovers across the state.
Since its inception, the Melville Art Awards has welcomed an estimated more than 5,000 artists and presented more than 400 awards, cementing its reputation as one of Western Australia's longest-running and most respected visual arts prizes.
Open to both emerging and established Western Australian artists, the Awards invite entries across a broad range of mediums including 2D, 3D and digital works.
As one of the City of Melville's flagship cultural programs, the Awards have become a respected platform for artistic recognition, providing valuable opportunities for artists to exhibit their work, build professional profiles and connect with new audiences.
The 2026 Melville Art Awards Exhibition brings together a diverse showcase of contemporary Western Australian art.
The free exhibition will feature selected works from artists across the state and provide visitors with the opportunity to discover new perspectives, support local artists and purchase original artwork, with no commission taken on sales.
To celebrate the mark the 50th edition of the Art Awards, finalists will compete for a significant prize pool, including the prestigious Overall Award, featuring a $10,000 acquisitive prize and acquisition into the City of Melville Art Collection, alongside accolades such as the First Nations Award, Creative Melville Award, Youth Award, City of Melville Resident Award and People's Choice Award.
City of Melville Mayor Katy Mair said reaching the 50th Art Awards milestone was a remarkable achievement for the Awards and the Western Australian arts community.
"Across five decades, the Melville Art Awards has provided a platform for artists at every stage of their creative journey, from first-time exhibitors through to some of the state's most accomplished practitioners.
"What began as a local art prize has evolved into one of Western Australia's most enduring and respected visual arts awards, supporting thousands of artists and helping audiences engage with contemporary art in meaningful and accessible ways."
City of Melville Creative Producer of Arts & Culture Zoe Atkinson said the Awards' legacy extended well beyond the exhibition itself.
"The Melville Art Awards has contributed significantly to the City of Melville Art Collection while creating opportunities for artists to gain exposure, sell work and connect with new audiences.
"As we celebrate the 50th Art Awards, we're proud to reflect on the thousands of artists who have participated and the hundreds of awards presented, while looking ahead to the next generation of creative talent."
The City of Melville invites artists from across Western Australia to be part of this landmark milestone year and encourages the community to visit the exhibition and celebrate five decades of artistic excellence.
To help celebrate the 50th Melville Art Awards, a retrospective exhibition '77 to Now: 50 Years of the City of Melville Art Collection and a Changing City will also open on Saturday, 24 October and run until Sunday, 31 January 2027 at the nearby Yagan Mia Wireless Hill Museum.
’77 to Now brings together works from the Art Collection, which began with works acquired from the first Art Award in 1977, alongside historical photographs and archival material from the Museum and Local History Collection.
Together, they reveal a city in motion—shaped by changing landscapes, evolving neighbourhoods and its people.
The exhibition acknowledges the enduring connection of Whadjuk Noongar people to this place, alongside the experiences of those who have more recently made the City of Melville home.
Key Information
Melville Art Awards:
- Dates: Saturday, 24 October - Sunday, 8 November 2026
- Venue: City of Melville Main Hall (located behind the City of Melville Civic Centre)
- Free entry, all ages welcome
- All exhibited works available to purchase, with no commission taken
’77 to Now: 50 Years of the City of Melville Art Collection and a Changing City:
- Dates: Saturday, 24 October – Sunday, 31 January 2027 (Closed Mondays and Tuesdays)
- Venue: Yagan Mia Wireless Hill Museum
- Free entry, all ages welcome
For more information, visit https://www.melvillecity.com.au/things-to-do/arts-and-culture/programs-and-events/melville-art-awards