Wama Foundation
Header image: 2021 Award of Excellence winner, Dianne Fogwell, The Dead Tree Scroll Silent Extinction, 2021

When and What

  • Current
  • Exhibition

Wama Art Prize, 2025

Applications now open: 7 September - 15 October
Works on paper — $25,000
Background image: 2021 Award of Excellence winner, Dianne Fogwell, The Dead Tree Scroll Silent Extinction, 2021
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Image Slider

  • 2021 Acquisitive Award winner, Melissa Smith, Listen Deeply - Lake Sorell, 2021
    2021 Acquisitive Award winner, Melissa Smith, Listen Deeply - Lake Sorell, 2021

Wama Foundation's national award for environmental art.

Now in its third edition, Wama's biennial art prize has established itself as Australia’s leading award dedicated to environmental art, recognising artists deeply engaged with the natural world.

We are offering both emerging and established artists the opportunity to be showcased in a world-class gallery, the National Centre for Environmental Art, dedicated to the connection of art and nature.

This year's prize offers three categories:

  • Major Acquisitive Award: $15,000 (acquisitive)
  • Three Awards of Excellence: $2,500 each (non-acquisitive)
  • People’s Choice Award: $2,500 (non-acquisitive)

Applications open Sunday, 7 September, 2025 and close 15 October, 2025. Apply through our artist portal.

If you require support or have accessibility needs, please email art@wamafoundation.com.au.

Will Hudson, Wama bark, 2025
Will Hudson, Wama bark, 2025
Meet the judges

Dr Vicki Couzens, artist and Keerray Woorroong Gunditjmara women Couzens is a Keeray Woorroong Gunditjmara woman, a prominent multi-media artist and possum-skin-cloak maker. Her preferred description of her practice is 'creative cultural expression', rather than artist, as her passion is the reclamation, regeneration and revitalization of cultural knowledge and practices.

Anne Virgo OAM, CEO & Artistic Director, Australian Print Workshop Virgo has been the CEO and Artistic Director of Australian Print Workshop, located in Melbourne for the past 25 years. With an extensive background in the Arts, Anne has held key leadership positions in the non-profit arts sector and has been Director of several visual arts and artist-led organisations.

Suzanne Davies, Contemporary Art Director & Curator Davies has an expansive career as an Art Director and Curator holding the position of Art Director and Chief Curator at RMIT Gallery for over 22 years up until 2018.Suzanne is an active member in the Australian Art Industry.

Dr Jacqueline Healy, Wama Foundation Board Director Dr Jacqueline Healy has extensive experience in the arts and museum sectors. She is Director, Museums, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne.

Prize FAQs

Donate to the Wama Art Prize

Donating to the Wama Art Prize supports environmental art, an investment in our culture and our environment.

Artists have the power to move culture and people beyond facts and figures. They can spark empathy, conversation, and action.

Your contribution helps elevate these voices and ensures that the prize itself becomes a platform where creativity and care for the natural world intersect.