Darling Portrait Prize

The National Portrait Gallery’s Darling Portrait Prize aspires to be the most prestigious portrait painting prize in the country, held at the home of Australian portraiture. We are excited to invite all painters to start thinking about a subject in preparation to begin painting. Paintings must be completed on or after 1 September 2018.

‘The Prize will recognise the significance and relevance of portraiture in Australia and will be an ongoing legacy of Mr L Gordon Darling AC CMG (1921-2015). 2018 marks twenty years since the Portrait Gallery was established, an achievement that would not have been possible without the unwavering dedication of our Founding Patrons Mr L Gordon Darling AC CMG and Mrs Marilyn Darling AC.’
- Chairman of the National Portrait Gallery, Dr Helen Nugent AO

The winner of the annual Darling Portrait Prize will receive a cash prize of $75,000.

To enter the Prize you must be at least 18 years old and an Australian citizen or resident. The subject of your portrait must be an Australian citizen or resident, or significant to Australian life.

Entries will open in May 2019 and close in July 2019.

Finalists will be exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery from 28 September to 17 November 2019.

See the full terms and conditions for more information.