23 December 2025

ARCHIBALD PRIZE MAKES ITS WAY TO SHEPPARTON ART MUSEUM FOR THE FIRST TIME

Shepparton Art Museum to be the only Victorian venue to host Australia’s most celebrated portrait prize in 2026

Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) is thrilled to announce that it will host the Archibald Prize 2026, Australia’s most prestigious portraiture exhibition and one of the country’s most beloved annual art events. SAM will be the only Victorian venue on the national tour and the very first stop after the exhibition closes at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

From celebrated cultural icons and bold contemporary figures to the artists, activists, and everyday Australians who shape our national story, the Archibald Prize brings together an unmissable line-up of portraits that spark conversation, reflect identity, and invite audiences to see the people of our time through the eyes of some of Australia’s leading artists.

Hosting the Archibald Prize aligns with Shepparton Art Museum’s commitment to presenting world-class art experiences for regional audiences, while amplifying the cultural vibrancy and creative energy of north-central Victoria. The exhibition is expected to attract visitors from across the state and beyond, delivering significant cultural and economic impact for the Greater Shepparton region.

Danny Lacy, SAM Artistic Director, says:

“We are honoured to be the exclusive Victorian host of the Archibald Prize 2026. As the first destination on the regional tour—and the only opportunity for Victorian audiences to experience these works in their home state—we look forward to welcoming thousands of visitors to SAM and celebrating the extraordinary talent showcased in this iconic exhibition. We know this experience has been heavily anticipated by our community, and we’re thrilled to be bringing such a significant event on the nation’s cultural calendar to the Goulburn Valley.”

Wayne Tunnicliffe, Art Gallery of New South Wales acting director of collections and exhibitions, says:

“The Art Gallery of New South Wales is thrilled to be partnering with Shepparton Art Museum for the Archibald Prize 2026, the only interstate venue on next year’s regional tour. The Archibald has a long and proud history of connecting audiences across Australia with the best in contemporary portraiture, and we’re delighted to be sharing this much-loved exhibition with the Shepparton community. SAM is an exceptional cultural partner, previously hosting our acclaimed Brett Whiteley: Inside the Studio touring exhibition earlier in 2025. We look forward to seeing the Archibald Prize 2026 spark new conversations, inspire local Victorian audiences and celebrate the extraordinary diversity of artists and sitters from across the country.”

Cr Shane Sali, Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor, says:

“We are extremely proud to welcome the Archibald Prize to Greater Shepparton for the very first time in 2026. This nationally recognised exhibition is one of Australia’s most prestigious art events, and hosting it here at the Shepparton Art Museum is a proud moment for our community and regional Victoria. This nationally acclaimed exhibition will attract visitors from across Australia, boosting local tourism and showcasing everything Greater Shepparton has to offer – from our thriving arts scene to our hospitality and culture.”

The Archibald Prize 2026 at SAM will be accompanied by a dynamic program of public events, including artist talks, guided tours, hands-on workshops, educational and community activities designed to engage art lovers of all ages.

The Archibald Prize 2026 exhibition will be on display at SAM from 5 September – 1 November 2026.

Further announcements on the Archibald Prize 2026, including finalists and their sitters, the popular Packing Room Prize, ticketing, and public programming, will be released by the Art Gallery of New South Wales and SAM in 2026.

Archibald Prize 2026 is an Art Gallery of New South Wales touring exhibition, and the regional tour is supported by major partner Optus.

ENDS

Featured image: Visitors in the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes 2025 exhibition, at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, photo © Art Gallery of New South Wales, Ken Leanfore

About SAM:

Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) is located on Yorta Yorta Country, Shepparton, Victoria.

Serving as a dynamic cultural and community hub for the Greater Shepparton region, SAM is one of Australia’s leading regional art museums and the newest purpose-built collecting institution in regional Victoria. SAM houses one of the nation’s most significant collections of Australian ceramics and regional holdings of South Eastern Indigenous Art, and presents an inclusive museum experience that inspires creativity, forges meaningful connections, and celebrates the unique stories of our region.

Through its programs, events, collection, and temporary exhibitions, SAM creates opportunities for artists and creatives to engage audiences with contemporary ideas and issues, allowing the stories of our country’s ancient cultures and contemporary multicultural Australia to be discovered and exchanged.

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Media enquiries, please contact: Ali Webb, House of Webb Publicity
p: +61 438 190 328 e: ali@houseofwebb.com.au