A Call for Entries has been issued for one of Australia’s most prestigious and richest art prizes.
The South Australian Museum’s 2026 Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize will carry a total of $40,000 in prizes across its two categories.
The prize was launched in 2002 and is named in honour of the Museum’s first curator Frederick George Waterhouse.
It is open in both Open and Emerging artist categories.
Winner of the Open category will win $30,000, while the Emerging category winner will take home $10,000. There is also a People’s Choice prize voted by exhibition visitors.
South Australian Museum Director of Research and Collections Adam Moriarty said the Waterhouse has become a much-loved fixture on both the arts and science calendars over the years.
“It allows artists and audiences to explore natural science through a range of creative endeavours. Entries over the years have been outstanding and we expect no different in 2026,” he said.
“The South Australian Museum is proud of what the Waterhouse has become, and we hope as many people as possible are able to enjoy what is always an outstanding exhibition of work.”
Artists can submit any form of visual fine art that relates to the natural world, with the exception of photography. To be eligible, the work must have been produced no earlier than January2025 and must relate to the natural world and the sciences associated with it, such as biology, geology, astronomy, chemistry and physics.
Works relating to natural history are also eligible.
Entry is $44 in the Open category and $30 in the Emerging category. Artists self-nominate for eligibility and can submit up to three entries in their chosen category.
The judges are:
· Coby Edgar is a queer multi-racial Gulumoerrigin (Larrakia)/Jingili/Filipino/Chinese/Irish/Scottish/English First Nations curator, writer and presenter.
· Professor Craig T. Simmons is Chief Scientist for South Australia. He is a leading groundwater scientist, recognized for contributions to groundwater science, science leadership, education, and policy reform.
· Jason Smith is Director of the Art Gallery of South Australia. Previously he was Director & CEO of Geelong Gallery, one of Australia’s oldest and most important regional galleries.
Entries close on 4 December and shortlisting will take place in early 2026.
All shortlisted artists will be advised by mid-February next year. Winners will announced Thursday 9 April 2026.
The Waterhouse will be exhibited at the South Australian Museum from Saturday 11 April to Sunday 19 July next year.
More information on the Waterhouse can be found here.
