Artists invited to compete in The Percivals 2026

One of Australia’s most respected arts competitions, The Percivals is North Queensland’s own biennial portrait competition.

Presented by Townsville City Council, The Percivals competition is open to nationally and internationally renowned artists as well as emerging artists from across the region, all vying for a share of $53,000 worth of prize money.

The competition will be on display at Perc Tucker Regional Gallery from 23 May to 30 August 2026.

Townsville Acting Mayor Cr Ann-Maree Greaney said The Percivals had been giving artists a platform to engage with and excel at portraiture since 2007.

The Percivals provides a platform for Townsville artists to be exhibited alongside the world’s best, all vying for significant prize money.

Acting Mayor Cr Ann-Maree Greaney

She encouraged as many local artists as possible to apply.

“Townsville City Council has a strong focus on providing opportunities for the growth of local artists, which is why hosting The Percivals is so vital to our arts community – it is a homegrown competition of an international calibre,” Cr Greaney said.

“The Percivals provides a platform for Townsville artists to be exhibited alongside the world’s best, all vying for significant prize money.

“Winning works each year are acquired into the City of Townsville Art Collection, meaning they remain the treasured property of our community and are able to be viewed and admired locally essentially forever.”

Cr Greaney said artists had until early next year to submit their works, with submissions closing on 20 January 2026.

“The three categories are the major acquisitive Percival Portrait Painting Prize worth $40,000, the major acquisitive Percival Photographic Portrait Prize worth $10,000 and the Percival Animal Portrait Prize worth $1,000,” Cr Greaney said.

“If you are an artist, please head to our website and fill out the application form before the cut-off date to ensure your submission is considered for selection.”

Townsville City Council has a strong focus on providing opportunities for the growth of local artists, which is why hosting The Percivals is so vital to our arts community – it is a homegrown competition of an international calibre.

Acting Mayor Cr Ann-Maree Greaney

In 2024, Seabastion Toast won the Percival Portrait Painting Prize for How the Light Gets In, a portrait of her friend and fellow artist Karlee Rawkins.

Danish Quapoor won the Percival Photographic Portrait Prize for his digital print screening test and Eliza Dedini won the Percival Animal Portrait Prize for puppy portrait, Doug.

For more information about The Percivals 2026, head to Council’s website.