34th Annual Mil-Pra AECG Exhibition & Prizes

About the exhibition

The annual Mil-Pra Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG) exhibition and art prizes celebrate the significance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture in our region and beyond.

In 2026 we will proudly celebrate the 34th edition of the Mil-Pra AECG exhibition and art prizes!

Exhibition entries for the adult category will be open to all types of artworks by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists 18+ living in both NSW and the ACT.

Entries for the youth category will be open to youth of all backgrounds including pre-school, primary and high school students.

The Mil-Pra AECG Award of $1,500 is awarded to the adult artist whose work best celebrates Mil-Pra AECG's celebration of the NAIDOC theme for 2026: 'Deadly' Our Culture, Our Ways, Our People, Our Art!

It is free to enter the exhibition & prizes as an exhibiting artist and free to attend the launch event. Major prizes alone are worth over $8000 and contribute greatly to an artist’s confidence and career. Please see terms and conditions on entry form for further information.

Exhibition & Entries Key Dates 2026:

Entries Open: 10:00am Monday 13 April 2026

Entries Close: 5:00pm Thursday 6 August 2026

Artwork Drop Off Day: Sunday 23 August 2026, 10am - 3pm to Liverpool Powerhouse

Exhibition Dates: Saturday 12 September - Saturday 24th October 2026

Exhibition Launch & Award Ceremony: Saturday 19th September, Liverpool Powerhouse

Artwork Collection Day : Sunday 25th October 2026, 10am - 3pm

Entry Forms 2026:

Entries Open: 10:00am Monday 13 April 2026

Entries Close: 5:00pm Thursday 6 August 2026

Students/Schools Entry Form: Click here for Students/Schools Entry Form

Adult Entry Form: Click here for Adult Entry Form

If you have any enquiries about your entry please contact exhibitions@liverpoolpowerhouse.com.au or Liverpool Powerhouse Reception on 02 8711 7123

Prize Winners 2025

Major Prizes

ADULT AWARDS

Mil-Pra AECG Award: Kevin Butler,  'Smoking Ceremony'

  • The 2025 theme for for Mil-Pra AECG Award is: The Next Generation (for more information on 2025 NAIDOC theme - National NAIDOC Theme | NAIDOC
  • This $1,500 award is only open to artists whose work reflects the theme. It is sponsored by KARI Foundation, Liverpool City Council and the Mil-Pra AECG. The winning artwork is selected by the Mil- Pra AECG committee.

Bruce & Carol Kendall OAM Memorial Award: Bernadette Hardy,  'First Contact'

  • This $500 award is open to all adult artists. It acknowledges and celebrates Bruce and Carol Kendall’s contribution to the Mil-Pra AECG.

Maria Lock Acquisitive Award: Leanne Jones,  'Waragal Wulbanga on Dharug Nura - Evening Hunt on Dharug Nura'

  • This award is open to all adult artists. It is in recognition of Maria Lock, the first Aboriginal woman to be granted land. The winning artwork is acquired for the Liverpool City Council Collection. The maximum acquisition amount is $2,000.

Mayor’s Choice Acquisitive Award:  Uncle Wayne Arthur-Smith, 'Walking Stick'

  • This award is open to all adult artists. The winning artwork is selected by the Mayor of Liverpool City Council for the Liverpool City Council Collection. The maximum acquisition amount is $3,000.

KARI Foundation Award

  • 1st prize ($500): Kylie Monteleone, 'Landscape of Time'
  • 2nd prize ($300): Gerard Scifo, 'Ikonographyti'

(Sponsored by KARI Foundation, these prizes are open to all adult artists)

Kate Nicholas Liverpool Women’s Services Award: Caitie Oldfield, 'Kate’s Bags'

  • This $500 award, in memory of Kate Nicholas, is open to all adult female artists and is sponsored by Liverpool Women’s Resource Centre, Liverpool Women’s Health Centre and Bonnie Support Services.

The Liverpool Powerhouse Aboriginal Scholarship Award:  Mia Lovelock,  'Couture the Country'

  • The Liverpool Powerhouse Aboriginal Scholarship Prize winner must be 18 years of age or older at the close of registration. Proof of age may be required.
  • The 2025 Liverpool Powerhouse Aboriginal Scholarship Prize winner will receive funds to develop and present an exhibition at Liverpool Powerhouse Arts Centre in 2025. This opportunity may include mentorship by a first nations artist and/or curator. Mentorship and consultation with a Liverpool Powerhouse Curator is available, which will include, but is not limited to technical, curatorial and marketing support. The Prize is sponsored by individual/s and/or group/s and the exhibition support is provided by Liverpool Powerhouse.
  • The Liverpool Powerhouse Aboriginal Scholarship Award is contingent on external funding. Liverpool Powerhouse reserves the right to cancel the Prize entirely or change the award based on the funding outcome at any time.

STUDENT AWARDS

Primary

  • 1st Prize ($100 courtesy of KARI Foundation): Tyra Ungaro, Dalmeny P.S., Year 6, 'Stars in the night sky'
  • 2nd Prize (Gift voucher courtesy of Mil-Pra AECG): Maryam, Year 3, Bankstown P.S., 'Untitled'
  • 3rd Prize (Gift voucher courtesy of Mil-Pra AECG): Ashar, Year 6, Bankstown P.S., 'Uluru'
  • 4th Prize (Gift voucher courtesy of Mil-Pra AECG): Kaidynce Newman-Riedl, Year 4, Curran P.S., 'Our Culture Flys'

Secondary

  • 1st Prize ($200 courtesy of KARI Foundation):  Lotus Gugliotta, Year 9, 'Beneath the terracotta path'
  • 2nd Prize  (Gift voucher courtesy of Mil-Pra AECG): Ruby Prasad, Year 6, 'Gugabarra Miyagan (kookaburra family) Dharug'
  • 3rd Prize (Gift voucher courtesy of Mil-Pra AECG): Rylee Anderson, Year 10, Campbelltown Performing Arts H.S.,  'My Connection'
  • 4th Prize (Gift voucher courtesy of Mil-Pra AECG):  Amelia Fardon, Year 10, Airds H.S., 'New Generation'

Student Group Prizes

  • Primary ($100 courtesy of Mil-Pra AECG): Classes Citron & Chef, Year 3, Picnic Point P.S., Bulada – Snake, Gugundi - Kookaburra
  • Secondary ($100 courtesy of Mil-Pra AECG): Joseph Cama, Maikeli Cama, Phoenix Vanstone & Angel Brockman, Year 7-12, All Saints Catholic College, 'Yidaki - The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy'

Ms Charishma Kaliyanda MP, Member for Liverpool Youth Awards

  • Primary: Koori Culture Club, K-6, Middleton Grange P.S.,  'The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy'
  • Secondary: Lotus Gugliotta, Year 9, 'Dreams of the blue river'

(Recipients of these awards receive a gift voucher sponsored by Ms Charishma Kaliyanda MP, Member for Liverpool)

Family & Early Childhood Art Awards

  • Individual: Archie McPherson, 'Next Generation - Strong Connection'
  • Group: Preschool Class,Young Academics Early Learning Centre - Hoxton Park, 'Family Connections & Sharing Stories'

(These awards are open to families with young children under school age, children attending open play, playgroups and/ or Early Childhood settings.)

Please note: All students were encouraged to make their artwork in response to the 2025 NAIDOC Theme which is The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy. More information is available on the NAIDOC website - National NAIDOC Theme | NAIDOC

Enquiries

If you have any enquiries about the 34th Annual Mil-Pra AECG Art Exhibition please email exhibitions@liverpoolpowerhouse.com.au

Image credit:  Kevin Butler, Smoking Ceremony, Winner Mil-Pra AECG Award 2025, Photo by Chantel Bann Photography.

Opening Hours: Monday CLOSED Tuesday CLOSED Wednesday 10am-5pm Thursday 10am-5pm Friday 10am-9pm Saturday 8am-9pm Sunday 10am-4pm

We would like to acknowledge the Dharawal people, the traditional custodians of this land and pay our respects to Elders past and present. We acknowledge that this land was also accessed by peoples of the Cabrogal Clan and other clans of the Darug Nation.

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