The Percivals
The Percivals is North Queensland’s own biennial portrait competition.
Having begun in 2007, The Percivals is an open competition for artists. While showcasing the outstanding and innovative work being produced by Australian artists, the competition has also given many emerging artists, Australia-wide and internationally, an opportunity to engage with portraiture and share their expressions of themselves and those close to them.
Key Dates
- Entry forms close: 5pm, 20 January 2026 (AEST)
- Artists advised of selection: 5pm, 20 February 2026 (AEST)
- Delivery of Artwork: 5 to 7 May 202
- Winners notified by email: 22 May 2026
- Winners publicly announced and exhibition launch: 23 May 2026
- Exhibition term: 23 May to 30 August 2026
- Exhibition expiry: 30 August 2026
- Collection of artwork: 7 to 8 September 2026
Terms and Conditions
Participation in the competition confirms acceptance of these terms and conditions by the artist.
Entry is open to all local, interstate and international artists, of all ages.
Download your copy of the terms and conditions (T&Cs):
- Percival Portrait Painting Prize 2026 T&Cs (PDF, 2.5 MB)
- Percival Photographic Portrait Prize 2026 T&Cs (PDF, 4.7 MB)
- Percival Animal Portrait Prize 2026 T&Cs (PDF, 7.7 MB)
Apply Now
Artists are invited to submit an entry form online using the SmartyGrants platform, prior to 5pm on Tuesday 20 January 2026 (AEST):
- Percival Portrait Painting Prize 2026 Entry Form
- Percival Photographic Portrait Prize 2026 Entry Form
- Percival Animal Portrait Prize 2026 Entry Form
Please note: Entry forms submitted in hard copy format or via email will not be accepted.
Sitter Consent Form
All artwork in the Percival Portrait Painting Prize must additionally be submitted with a Sitter Consent Form to enter the competition.
Prizes
- Major Acquisitive Percival Portrait Painting Prize: $40,000
- Major Acquisitive Percival Photographic Portrait Prize: $10,000
- Percival Animal Portrait Prize: $1,000
Administration Fee
All applicants must pay the non-refundable administration fee of $44 AUD per artwork.
Should an artist submit more than one piece of artwork, they will be required to pay the administrative fee for each piece of artwork.
Payment must be made by 5pm on Tuesday 20 January 2026 (AEST) by the following means:
- in person: over the counter at Townsville Civic Theatre, located at 41 Boundary Street, South Townsville (open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and closed on public holidays).
- phone: call TicketShop on 07 4727 9797
- online: via TicketShop.
Payment must be made prior to submitting the SmartyGrants entry form.
When opening the SmartyGrants entry form, an application number will automatically generate. Artists will be required to reference their SmartyGrants application number when paying at TicketShop.
Additionally, prior to submitting the SmartyGrants entry form, the artist will be required to reference their receipt number from TicketShop as proof of payment. The SmartyGrants entry form will not be processed without this information.
Failure to make payment by entry form closure date will result in the application being rejected from entry.
More About The Percivals
Previous Percivals
To view a history of previous years of The Percivals, visit the Previous Percivals page:
Exquisite Portraits
Exquisite Portraits have been part of The Percivals since the 2020 exhibition and all years of Exquisite Portraits have been combined for our Exquisite Portraits page. Swap the head, torso, and legs, creating your own exquisite portrait for each block!
