Nillumbik Prize for Contemporary Art 2025
Winners announced
The winners of the prestigious Nillumbik Prize for Contemporary Art 2025 have been announced at an official exhibition launch and celebration of the finalists at Montsalvat in Eltham.
From a remarkable 486 submissions, from which 48 finalists were selected, three outstanding works have been awarded in the biennial Nillumbik Prize for Contemporary Art (NPCA), which champions artistic excellence across diverse mediums.
Open Prize
Jacqui Shelton
Bím Caillte (mistranslated: I am, usually, habitually, lost) 2023
digital video, sound 19:30min
Local Prize
Chelle Destefano
Who does my family think I am??, 2024
video and textile poem, 150x120x15cm
Mayor’s Award
Susan Reddrop
Raygun, 2024
Blackwood Lead Crystal, 35,20x10cm
The Prize winners were selected by an independent panel of judges:
- Dr Vincent Alessi - Director and CEO, Linden New Art
- Dr Kiron Robinson - Artist and Acting Head of School of Art, Victorian College of Arts, University of Melbourne
- Sophie Travers - Director/CEO, Australian Tapestry Workshop
Visit the exhibition
An exhibition of all finalists spans multiple spaces within Montsalvat to create an immersive and engaging experience for visitors.
The exhibition is open until Sunday 25 May at Montsalvat, 7 Hillcrest Avenue, Eltham.
Visitors can vote for the $500 People’s Choice Award, which will be announced at the exhibition’s conclusion.
2025 NPCA finalists
Selected from 468 entries, the 34 finalists are artists Georgia Banks, Pia Coetsee, Emma Coulter, Lana de Jager, Lada Dedić, Chelle Destefano, Makeda Duong, Megan Evans, Mark Forbes, Phillip George, Tim Gregory, Petrina Hicks, Nicholas Hubicki, Virginia Keft, Janetta Kerr-Grant, Jenna Lee, Warren Lee, Arrayah Loynd, Donna Marcus, Kori Miles, Ezz Monem, Marisa Mu, Jamie Mumford, Serena Pinday, Kenny Pittock, Susan Reddrop, Britt Salt, Amy Schleif, Jacqui Shelton, Sia Smyth, Katie Stackhouse, Meagan Streader, Isabel Trufas, Jen Valender.
Download the catalogue to view the finalists' works.
Nillumbik Prize Contemporary Art Catalogue 2025(PDF, 1MB)
Finalists were selected by our shortlisting judges:
- Matt Cox, Curator of Asian Art, Art Gallery of New South Wales
- Gail Harradine, Wotjobaluk, Jadawadjali, Djubagalk, Curatorial Manager, Koorie Heritage Trust
- Patrice Sharkey, Head of Exhibitions and Programs, Tarrawarra Museum of Art
About the prize
The Nillumbik Prize for Contemporary Art (NPCA) is open to artists across Australia, working in any medium. This biennial competition includes four monetary prizes:
- Open Prize: $20,000
- Local Prize: $10,000
- Mayor's Award: $500
- People’s Choice Award: $500
The Open and Local Prize are acquisitive. This means that the winning artworks become part of the Nillumbik Shire Art Collection.