Art at the heart: The Archibald Prize visits Central Australia
After more than a century, the Archibald Prize, Australia’s most prestigious portrait award, is making its debut in Alice Springs.
The Archibald Prize 2024 will take centre stage at the Araluen Arts Centre from 24 April to 15 June 2025, offering audiences the opportunity to experience remarkable portraits of notable Australians who have shaped our nation’s social, cultural and political landscape.
With 57 portraits on display, including the 2024 Laura Jones’ winning portrait of author and conservationist Tim Winton, the exhibition will showcase the work of some of Australia’s most distinguished contemporary artists.
Among the finalists are two Central Australian artists, Adrian Jangala Robertson and Thea Anamara Perkins, whose inclusion makes this event especially meaningful for the local arts community.
Widely regarded as Australia’s most prestigious portrait exhibition, the Archibald Prize draws thousands of visitors each year and sparks national conversations about art, identity and storytelling.
Hosting the exhibition is expected to significantly boost visitation to the Araluen Arts Centre, attracting art lovers, tourists and first-time gallery-goers alike. Previous regional exhibitions have seen a doubling of attendance figures, generating hundreds of thousands of dollars in ticket sales and
delivering even greater economic benefits to local businesses, tourism and hospitality operators.
In celebration of local emerging talent, Araluen will also host the Young Archie Mparntwe competition. Open to young artists aged 5 to 18, the competition invites entrants to submit a portrait of someone who is significant to them, for a chance to win a $50 voucher and have their work displayed alongside
Australia’s most esteemed portrait artists.
Tickets are now on sale at tickets.araluen.nt.gov.au/Events/The-Archibald-Prize-2024-Exhibition
Entries are now open for the Young Archie Mparntwe competition until 31 March 2025. For more information and details on how to enter, visit Young Archie Mparntwe
