The Bayton Award 2025 Finalist Exhibition

22 November 2025 - 15 February 2026

Gallery 2.2

The Bayton Award 2025 is the seventh iteration of this biennial art prize and exhibition, named in recognition of the Right Reverend John Bayton AM for his significant contribution to the development of the Rockhampton Museum of Art Collection.

Open to all forms of art media created by Central Queensland artists, The Bayton Award is presented by Rockhampton Regional Council's Rockhampton Museum of Art and consists of the below prizes:

Open Competition Categories

• The Bayton Award: $10,000

• The Bayton Award Runner-Up: $5,000

• The Bayton Award People’s Choice: $1,000

• Chris Warby Emerging Artist Bursary Ages 15 - 30 x 2: $1,000 each

Mini Bayton Competition Categories

• Ages 5-9: Art materials prize pack to the value of $100

• Ages 10-14: Art materials prize pack to the value of $100


Key Dates

Entries open: Monday 30 June 2025 9:00am AEST

Entries close: Monday 4 August 2025 4:00pm AEST

Finalists’ notification: Monday 15 September 2025

Artwork deliveries: Thursday 16 October - Saturday 18 October 2025 (between 9:00am - 4:00pm)

Awards announcement event: Saturday 22 November 2025

Exhibition: Saturday 22 November 2025 - Sunday 16 February 2026

Artwork collection: Monday 23 February 2026 - Friday 27 February 2026 (between 9:00am - 4:00pm)


  

Judge

Rockhampton Museum of Art is pleased to announce Brian Robinson as the guest judge for The Bayton Award 2025.
Brian Robinson.JPG
Image: The Bayton Award 2025 Judge Brian Robinson

Brian Robinson, an accomplished Australian artist, is renowned for his printmaking, sculpture, and public art. Originally from Waiben and now based in Cairns, he employs diverse techniques to create bold and innovative works.

Robinson's family, with roots in fishing and a blend of Roman Catholic faith and traditional spirituality, hails from the Maluyligal people of Torres Strait and the Wuthathi people of Cape York Peninsula. His artworks, rich in storytelling, offer a unique worldview through graphic prints and contemporary sculptures. With over 30 years of experience, Robinson merges representational and abstract imagery, exploring themes of nature, history, and indigenous culture. 

The Bayton Award 2025 Shortlisting Panel:

Shannon Brett, a proud Wakka Wakka/Butchulla/Gooreng Gooreng artist, photographer, designer, educator, researcher and curator

Geraldine Henrici, artist and artsworker with over 17 years’ experience in the visual arts sector

Sarah Thomson, Director, Hervey Bay Regional Art Gallery

Entries (Open Category)

Entrants must have resided in one of the following regions or shires for 12 months or more in the 18 months immediately prior to the entry closing date 4 August 2025: Rockhampton, Livingstone, Gladstone, Banana, Woorabinda, Central Highlands, Isaac, Barcaldine, Blackall-Tambo, Longreach, Winton, Barcoo, Diamantina and Boulia.

Entry will be via an online application form which will be made available when entries open.

Entry Fee: $30 per entry (maximum of 3 entries)

Entries must be submitted with:

  • Entrant Details
  • Artwork Details
  • Artist Statement (up to 200 words)
  • Artist CV
  • Installation instructions (if relevant)
  • Up to 3 Images images and/or video file (maximum of 10MB saved as .jpeg/jpg file type) 

Artworks (Open Category)

Artworks (Open Category)

Two-dimensional artworks cannot exceed 2 metres in any given dimension (inclusive of frame). A stretched canvas is considered framed.

Three-dimensional artworks cannot exceed 2 metres in height and 2 cubic meters in volume.

All works must be able to be safely carried by two people and not exceed a maximum weight of 30kg.

See Terms and Conditions for full artwork requirements.

The Mini Bayton

Entrants must be aged 5 - 14 at the time of the entry closing date.

Entrants must have resided in one of the following regions or shires for 12 months or more in the 18 months immediately prior to the entry closing date 4 August 2025: Rockhampton, Livingstone, Gladstone, Banana, Woorabinda, Central Highlands, Isaac, Barcaldine, Blackall-Tambo, Longreach, Winton, Barcoo, Diamantina and Boulia.

Entry will be via an online application form which will be made available when entries open.

Entry Fee: $10 per entry (maximum of 3 entries)

Entries must be submitted with:

  • Entrant Details
  • Artwork Details
  • Artist Statement (up to 50 words)
  • 1 image of the artwork (maximum of 10MB saved as .jpeg/jpg file type) 

Artworks must be 2 dimensional, A3 size, unframed work on paper.

The Mini Bayton will be displayed in the Rockhampton Museum of Art Margaret Olley Art Trust Collection Study Room.


Terms and Conditions for Entry

Click here(PDF, 654KB) to read all terms and conditions for entry and to preview the entry form (Open Category)

Click here(PDF, 646KB) to read all terms and conditions for entry and to preview the entry form (The Mini Bayton)

Niloufar Lovegrove with Resonance of Freedom 2023, Winner of the 2023 Bayton Award, Paulownia wood, Mulberry Paper, ink, Synthetic hair, Strings, Wire. 65 x 80 x 55. Photo: Nathan Hutcheon, Fern Valley Films.JPG

Niloufar Lovegrove with Resonance of Freedom 2023, Winner of the 2023 Bayton Award, Paulownia wood, Mulberry Paper, ink, synthetic hair, strings and wire, 65 x 80 x 55. Photo: Nathan Hutcheon, Fern Valley Films