One of Newcastle's most prestigious art prizes will be return for its 20th anniversary following the reopening of the Newcastle Art Gallery.
The Kilgour Prize is calling for entries for the first time in five years.
The artwork deemed the most outstanding figurative or portrait painting will receive $50,000, and the work voted most popular by the public will receive $5000.
Newcastle Art Gallery director Lauretta Morton said the gallery had hosted the Kilgour Prize since 2006 following a bequest from late artist Jack Noel Kilgour.
"Since then, it has become a well-respected and coveted inclusion on the national art prize calendar, attracting an incredibly high calibre of entries from emerging and established artists across the country," Ms Morton said.
The event was on hold after the gallery temporarily closed in 2022 for a major expansion and renovation project.
"We are thrilled that, as part of our reopening year, we are able to celebrate the 20th anniversary of this nationally significant art prize," Ms Morton said.
Newcastle lord mayor Gavin Morris said the comeback would help Newcastle Art Gallery keep its place on the national stage.
"The return of the Kilgour Prize will continue to showcase artistic talent from across Australia while strengthening Newcastle's standing as a city that values creativity, culture, and the arts," said Cr Morris.
The prize has featured nearly 3000 entries since it began.
Past winners include Nicholas Harding (2006), Peter Gardiner (2016), Natasha Walsh (2018), Blak Douglas (2019), and Michael Bell (2020).
Bell had been a Kilgour Prize finalist six times before officially taking the prize in 2020.
"A lot of great painters have won this prize... to actually win the Kilgour Prize in 2020 was an incredible thrill and great honour," he said.
Independent curator Kelli Cole and renowned artist Jason Phu will join Ms Morton as judges for the 2027 competition.
Entries for the 2027 Kilgour Prize are open until October 5, 2026 and finalists will be announced in December 2026.
The winner of the competition will be revealed when the exhibition opens in April 2027.
