Adelaide Perry Gallery invites artists from across Australia to enter the 2027 Perry Prize, with entries now open.

One of Australia’s leading drawing prizes, the Perry Prize celebrates excellence, ambition and innovation in contemporary drawing. Artists have the opportunity to have their work exhibited at Adelaide Perry Gallery and be considered for the $25,000 acquisitive Perry Prize.

A $2,000 non-acquisitive People’s Choice Award will also be presented, with the winner selected by visitors to the exhibition.

Celebrating contemporary drawing

Each year, a selection of emerging and established artists from across Australia is selected as finalists, showcasing the breadth and vitality of contemporary drawing practice.

The 2027 Exhibition of Finalists will be held at Adelaide Perry Gallery from 27 February to 26 March 2027, with the winner of the $25,000 Perry Prize announced at the exhibition opening on Friday 26 February.

The Prize has a long history of being judged by leading artists, curators, writers and arts professionals, including Aida Tomescu, Edmund Capon AM OBE, Jenny Sages, John Wolseley, Lindy Lee, Imants Tillers, Sasha Grishin, Danie Mellor and Scott Elliot. The 2027 judge will be announced soon.

Enter the 2027 Perry Prize

Artists can submit up to two works. Entries are open to Australian citizens and permanent residents, with works required to have been completed between 13 January 2026 and 13 January 2027.

Works may include contemporary drawing in 2D, 3D, animated or moving-image formats, provided they are suitable for a school audience aged four and over.

Entries close at midnight on Wednesday 13 January 2027.

Continuing Adelaide Perry’s legacy

The Prize is named in honour of Adelaide Elizabeth Perry (1891–1973), an accomplished Australian artist and educator whose career was closely connected with PLC Sydney.

Perry joined PLC in 1930 as a part-time art teacher and went on to serve as Art Mistress for more than 30 years, inspiring generations of students through her teaching and artistic practice.

Her work is held in major public collections including the Art Gallery of New South Wales, National Gallery of Victoria, National Portrait Gallery and Queensland Art Gallery. The Adelaide Perry Gallery at PLC Sydney was opened in her honour in 2001.

The Adelaide Perry Prize for Drawing continues this legacy, providing a platform for contemporary artists and celebrating the possibilities of drawing as an evolving and ambitious art form.

Explore works by previous finalists on the Perry Prize Instagram.