Archibald Prize 2026
Archibald Prize 2026
5 September - 1 November 2026
Australia’s favourite and most significant art award is coming to Shepparton!
The annual Archibald Prize is eagerly anticipated by artists and audiences alike. Judged by the trustees of the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the prize is awarded to the best portrait painting. Since 1921, it has highlighted figures from all walks of life, from famous faces to local heroes, reflecting back to us the stories of our times.
This touring exhibition from the Art Gallery of New South Wales is an opportunity to see the finalists in the Archibald Prize 2026.
Read our full media release announcing the arrival of this significant exhibition here.
Archibald Prize 2026 will be a ticketed exhibition.
Ticket bookings will open at 10am on Thursday 23 April 2026.
To register your interest for tickets, sign up to our mailing list below:
Ticketing: Prices, packages and concessions
Exhibition ticket prices
|
|
Single ticket price |
Double-pass ticket price (entry to Facing Modernity & Archibald Prize) |
Multi-pass price (five entries) |
|
Adult |
$24.00 |
$48.00 |
N/A |
|
Greater Shepparton residents Concession card holders |
$19.00 |
$38.00 |
$80.00* *Available to Greater Shepparton residents only |
|
Friend of SAM member |
$17.00 |
$34.00 |
$70.00 |
|
Teens aged 13-18 |
$12.00 |
$24.00 |
N/A |
|
Children aged 12 and under |
Free |
Free |
N/A |
Please note: A surcharge will apply to all payments made via credit/debit card.
Ticket types:
Single ticket: A ticket that grants the ticket holder timed entry to one exhibition on a specified date and time. Single tickets can be booked online and in person.
Double-pass ticket: A ticket that grants the ticket holder entry to both Facing Modernity and Archibald Prize 2026 during one visit on a specified date and time (valid between 5 September – 20 September 2026).
Multi-pass ticket: A flexible ticket available to Greater Shepparton residents and Friends of SAM members that grants the ticket holder five entries to paid exhibitions. The multi-pass ticket can be used across both Facing Modernity: Degas to Picasso and Archibald Prize 2026 and is valid from 23 May to 1 November 2026.
Concession tickets are valid for:
- Full time TAFE and University students upon presentation of a valid student ID
- Pensioner Concession card holders
- Health Care card holders
- Commonwealth Seniors Health card holders
- Seniors card holders
- Veteran Affairs card holders (DVA gold card)
- Members of public galleries and museums throughout Australia
Ticketing: Prices, packages and concessions
Please note: A surcharge will apply to all payments made via credit/debit card.
Ticket types:
Single ticket: A ticket that grants the ticket holder timed entry to one exhibition on a specified date and time. Single tickets can be booked online and in person.
Double-pass ticket: A ticket that grants the ticket holder entry to both Facing Modernity: Degas to Picasso and Archibald Prize 2026 during one visit on a specified date and time (valid between 5 September – 20 September 2026).
Multi-pass ticket: A flexible ticket available to Greater Shepparton residents and Friends of SAM members that grants the ticket holder five entries to paid exhibitions. The multi-pass ticket can be used across both Facing Modernity and Archibald Prize 2026 and is valid from 23 May to 1 November 2026.
Concession tickets are valid for:
- Full time TAFE and University students upon presentation of a valid student ID
- Pensioner Concession card holders
- Health Care card holders
- Commonwealth Seniors Health card holders
- Seniors card holders
- Veteran Affairs card holders (DVA gold card)
- Members of public galleries and museums throughout Australia
About the double-pass ticket:
Double-pass tickets will be available for visitors to view both Facing Modernity and Archibald Prize 2026 in a single visit from 5 September to 20 September. Each individual visitor wishing to view both exhibitions must purchase their own double-pass ticket — they cannot be shared between two people. Double-pass tickets can be booked online and in person.
About the multi-pass ticket:
Multi-pass tickets are designed especially for local Greater Shepparton residents and Friends of SAM members, enabling flexible entry to both Facing Modernity: Degas to Picasso and Archibald Prize 2026 at any date or time from 23 May to 1 November 2026 for a total of five visits. Multi-passes can only be purchased in person at the Ticket Desk located on SAM’s ground level.
Your multi-pass will be validated by SAM Staff upon each use until your five admissions have been exhausted. A visit to Facing Modernity: Degas to Picasso and Archibald Prize 2026 on the same date will count as two admissions on your pass.
Multi-pass tickets are non-transferable — they cannot be shared by multiple people.
Group bookings and school bookings
To enquire about a group booking for Archibald Prize 2026, please complete our online booking request form at this link: Group Bookings Request Form
For bookings of guided tours for school groups, please get in touch via email at education@sheppartonartmuseum.com.au.
Plan your visit to Shepparton Art Museum
Plan your trip to Shepparton
Are you travelling to SAM from outside the Goulburn Valley? Head to our Plan Your Visit page to find out information on:
Elsewhere at SAM café
If you plan to visit our onsite café, Elsewhere at SAM, before or after you view the exhibition, we highly recommend booking a table ahead of time. To book a table and find out more information about Elsewhere at SAM, visit their website.
Top 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
Location: Level 2, SAM
Free admission
