The Next Gen category is open to artists aged 18 and under and encourages young creatives to think about portraiture in a contemporary way. Always a crowd favourite, this category showcases the talent of an emerging generation of artists.
Growing up in a digital age, these artists bring fresh perspectives, challenging and reimagining traditional ideas of likeness and representation.
Each year, subjects range from intimate self-portraits exploring personal identity to bold depictions of community figures. The resulting works are marked by intensity, humour, authenticity, and care in the way these young artists portray the people around them.
Entries in the Next Gen Prize do not need to be created from a live sitting, although this is encouraged. Artworks may be drawings or paintings, but they do not have to be. Digital works, mixed media, and tapestry are all welcome.
Below you will find key information about entering the Next Gen category of the Brisbane Portrait Prize. If you have any further questions, please get in touch at artists@brisbaneportraitprize.org
Prize and Recognition
- The winner of the Brisbane Portrait Prize Next Gen Category will receive a $2000 prize.
- In 2026, 15 works will be recognised as finalists and hung in the main finalists exhibition at State Library of Queensland.
- All finalists will also be recognised in a Next Gen gallery on the Brisbane Portrait Prize website.
Eligibility
- The artist must be 18 years or under at the time of entries closing
- The artist and subject must have a connection with Brisbane. This connection must be outlined as part of the entry process
- The artist and subject must be Australian residents from the date entries open until the date finalists are notified
- All subjects with a connection to Brisbane are welcome and admissible, including self-portraits
- The Brisbane Portrait Prize does encourage artists to consider producing portraits of people who have contributed to Brisbane
- All subjects must be alive at the time the artwork is produced
The Artwork
- For the Next Gen Prize, artists are not required to have a live sitting
- This means they may choose to work from a photograph
- If the artist chooses to do this, the photograph must have been taken in the last 3 years
- The artist must also have the sitters permission to create the portrait of their image
- The artwork must be an original artwork, entirely completed and owned outright by the submitting artist
- All artwork must be 2 dimensional
- All artists must have the Subject’s consent to enter the artwork in the Competition, including ensuring they understand the artwork may be displayed to the public
- Portraits must have been completed within the 3 year period leading up to the Prize entry date
- If you use any form of AI in the creation of your artwork you will still need to comply with all other entry terms. You will also be required to declare how you used AI on the entry form.
- Artworks must not have won first prize in any other major portraiture competition
- All artists must have their sitter sign a ‘Sitter Consent Form‘ (even if it is a self portrait) which must be uploaded as part of your entry form.
Artwork must be:
- A maximum size of 2m high by 2m wide, including the frame
- A maximum weight of 15 kg, including the frame
- Wall-mountable, including use of D Rings and hanging wire
- May be multi-panelled, but must fit within the size restrictions
- Original and not infringe the copyright, moral rights or other rights of any third party
Additionally, for Digital artworks:
- The submitted portrait may be produced using photographic elements, manipulation of the image is welcomed, and this may be in the pre or post production of the image
- Selection weight will be given to those entries that display a clear artistic and creative approach to the subject
- All digital mediums are eligible, but must be presented in a 2D printed form that can be hung in display
- Videos and other forms of display requiring power cables are not eligible
2026 Key Dates
Jan 2026 >> Entries Open
22.02.26 >> Artists Launch + Judges’ Announcement
01.07.26 >> Entries Close at 6pm
24.07.26 >> Finalists Notified
Jul – Sep >> Exhibition Prep Period
05.09.26 >> Finalists Announced
18.09.26 >> Opening Night + Winners Announced
19.09.26 >> Finalists Exhibition open to the public
08.11.26 >> Finalists Exhibition Closes
Entry Cost
- For the Next Gen competition:
- A non-refundable $25 entry fee (inc GST) per entry must be paid at the time of entry.
- For individual entries, payment must be made online via credit card.
- If you represent a school and wish to enter a number of students into the prize and pay via invoice, please check out the ‘Group Entries for Schools‘ page.