The Archibald Prize 2026 has announced the winners of the Young Archie competition, a prestigious portrait prize for children aged 5 to 18 across Australia. The competition received thousands of entries, with winners selected in three age categories: 5–8, 9–12, and 13–15, as well as a special category for 16–18 year olds.
Winners by Category
In the 5–8 age group, the winner was 7-year-old Mia Chen from Sydney, who painted a portrait of her grandmother titled "Nanna's Smile." The judges praised the work for its "vibrant use of color and emotional depth." For the 9–12 category, 11-year-old Liam O'Brien from Melbourne won with a portrait of his father, "Dad at Work," described as "a striking composition with strong brushwork." In the 13–15 category, 14-year-old Sophie Tran from Brisbane took the prize for her self-portrait "Reflection," which the judges called "a mature and introspective work."
Special Category for Older Teens
The 16–18 age group saw 17-year-old Ethan Park from Perth win for his portrait of a local busker, "The Street Musician." According to the Art Gallery of New South Wales, which hosts the competition, the entry was selected from over 2,500 submissions nationwide. The gallery's director, Michael Brand, commented: "The Young Archie competition continues to reveal the extraordinary talent and creativity of young Australians. These works are not just cute—they are genuinely accomplished portraits."
Exhibition and Prizes
Winners receive art supplies and their works are displayed alongside the main Archibald Prize exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales until October. The exhibition opened on July 4, 2026, and has attracted significant public interest. The Young Archie competition aims to encourage artistic expression among children and has been running since 2014.
Impact and Recognition
The competition has grown in popularity, with participation doubling since 2020. This year, entries came from every state and territory, including remote Indigenous communities. The winners were announced on July 4, 2026, and the exhibition is expected to draw over 100,000 visitors. The Archibald Prize itself, Australia's most famous portrait award, is in its 105th year.
