$5000 Prize Australia's for Next Generation of Artists

The University of New England (UNE) has launched the inaugural Cover Artist of the Year Competition, a nationwide opportunity for young Australians in Years 9-12 to showcase their creativity and recognises the enduring value and integrity of individual artistic expression in an emerging era of AI-native work.

The winning artwork will feature on the cover of UNE's 2028 Course Guide circulating throughout 2027, be exhibited at the New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM), and the artist will receive a $5000 award. Additional awards will be awarded for outstanding entries.

The free competition invites students from across Australia to respond to the theme 'Unconventional', encouraging young artists and students to think creatively, by showcase their unique perspective through any 2D medium - painting, drawing, illustration, graphic design or mixed media.

While entrants may use AI tools as part of their creative process, the final artwork must reflect their own perspective, creative direction and artistic intent, supported by an accompanying artist statement.

UNE Director of Marketing Michaela Lobb said the national award creates an opportunity for young people to explore and express their perspectives on an increasingly complex and unconventional world.

“Young artists are developing their creative practice at a time of rapid technological and social change. Whether entrants work by hand, digitally or with emerging technology, we are interested in the thinking and artistic direction that make their work distinctly their own,” Ms Lobb said.

“The award creates an opportunity for those perspectives to be showcased nationally. Through UNE’s collaboration with NERAM, the winning artist will have their work exhibited within a leading regional cultural institution and featured on more than 25,000 copies of UNE’s 2028 Course Guide. Together, these platforms take the work from something personal to something public, connecting a young artist’s creative voice with communities across Australia.”

The original artwork will also be featured inside the course guide with full artist credit, before being professionally photographed, framed and exhibited at NERAM, one of regional Australia's leading art institutions.

Art Museum Director of NERAM - Rachael Pearson said opportunities like this are incredibly important for young artists.

“At NERAM, we’re passionate about creating opportunities for young people to develop their ideas, take their creativity seriously and see themselves as artists. We’re delighted to be part of UNE's initiative that gives emerging young artists a genuine platform to share their work and imagine where their creative practice might take them,” said Ms Pearson.

Alongside the $5000 award, UNE will also present an Emerging Voice Award for an outstanding Years 9 or 10 student and a People's Choice Award, recognising unconventional creativity across a range of entries. All finalists will have their work displayed at NERAM.

The competition is free and open to all eligible students, with no formal art qualifications required. Students are encouraged to enter whether they are experienced artists or exploring their creativity for the first time. Entrants may use AI tools as part of the creative process, provided the final artwork reflects their own creative direction and is accompanied by an artist's statement. Regional and First Nations students are particularly encouraged to enter.

Entries open on 3 September and close on 23 September 2026, with all submissions made digitally.

Visit une.edu.au/coverartcomp for full competition details.