Recognising the best in art writing and research across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand
ENTRIES for the 2026 AWAPAs are NOW OPEN
Highlighting the vitality of art writing and publishing in the region, the AWAPAs acknowledge the contribution of both emerging and established scholars, curators and artists. The Awards play a pivotal role in promoting the bredth of knowledge and understanding of the visual arts, craft and design, celebrating achievements writers make to the field through:
- Originality and rigour of scholarship
- Contribution to knowledge in the area and impact on scholarly debate in the field
- Significance of the topic to the field and to adjacent disciplines
- Significance and originality of arts research
- Quality of the design and production values of the publication
- Ability to convey complex ideas to wider audiences
To enter a publication in the AWAPAs, entrants must be a AAANZ member. Staff affiliated with museums and galleries that have AAANZ organisational membership are also eligible to enter. AAANZ membership is complimentary for Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Māori and Pacific entrants (please join on the membership page).
The year of publication for all entries must be 2025 (except Best Artist Led, this category is open for published works from the previous four years).
Prize winners of each AWAPAs category are announced at the AAANZ 2026 conference | Haereka
The deadline for AWAPAs entries is Friday 28 August, 2026
There are ten categories including prizes for books, exhibition catalogues, artist-led publications, Indigenous Australian, Māori and Pacific art writing.
To enter fill in the nomination form here (if you are submitting multiple entries please use a separate form for each publication).
Following completion of the online AWAPAs entry form, two copies of each publication are required to be posted to the AAANZ Business Manager for judging. Postal details pop up after successful completion of the entry form.
CLICK HERE for Eligibility and Conditions, Prize Categories and Entry Form
For all enquiries please contact the AAANZ Business Manager
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