Broken Hill City Art Gallery is pleased to announce that entries are now open for the 2025 Pro Hart Outback Art Prize, a national acquisitive art award that invites artists working in any medium to respond to the spirit and diversity of the Australian Outback.
The total prize pool is $23,000, including a $20,000 acquisitive First Prize, a $2,000 Second Prize, and a $1,000 People’s Choice Award. The winning work will be acquired into the Gallery’s nationally recognised collection.
“We are incredibly thankful for the ongoing support of Mrs Raylee J Hart and the Hart family, whose generosity makes this prize possible,” said Gallery and Museum Manager Kathy Graham. “The Pro Hart Outback Art Prize honours the legacy of Pro Hart- his creative energy and connection to Broken Hill- and provides a platform to recognise artists whose work continues to push boundaries and explore what the Outback means today.”
Last year’s First Prize was awarded to Paul Connor for his striking mixed media work 9 Days in The Life of Broken Hill (2024), created using pencil, acrylic ink and paint, along with card and paper collage on canvas board. The piece offers a layered and thoughtful depiction of the unique Broken Hill landscape.
Entries for the 2025 prize are open from Tuesday 1 April to Monday 30 June 2025, with finalists to be announced on Friday 11 July. The finalist exhibition opens on Friday 15 August, running through to 2 November 2025, with winners announced on opening night.
Artists are reminded that entries may be in any medium, including painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, textiles, digital and video works. Last year’s 37 finalists included a strong mix of traditional and contemporary media.
This year’s conditions have been slightly updated. Artwork size is limited to a maximum of 1500mm x 1500mm, in line with the Gallery’s capacity to store and care for works in the permanent collection. Full terms, conditions, and the entry form are available now at www.bhartgallery.com.au.
The Pro Hart Outback Art Prize is presented by Broken Hill City Art Gallery with the support of Mrs Raylee J Hart and Broken Hill City Council.
