Free worldwide competition invites artists and makers to submit everything from painting and photography to costumes, props, models and working mechanical creations.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Steampunk Australia has opened the International Steampunk Art Prize 2026<\/strong> to artists and makers around the world, with AUD $2,000 in prize money<\/strong>, free entry and a judging panel spanning art, history, literature, performance and creative industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Entries are open to people aged 18 and over wherever local law permits, with submissions closing at 11.59pm Sydney time on 30 November 2026<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Entrants may submit up to three works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And despite the word \u201cart\u201d in the title, this is not simply a competition for paintings hanging on a wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eligible work includes painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, non-generative digital art, costume design, leatherwork, prop making, model making, mixed media, kinetic art, mechanical art and audiovisual work<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Costumes, sculptures, models and working contraptions can ordinarily be entered using high-quality photographs and, where appropriate, video. Physical works should not be sent unless specifically requested by the organiser.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Every entry must have a meaningful connection to steampunk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2026 judging panel brings together four people with very different backgrounds:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr Kathryn Spurling<\/strong> \u2014 historian and author.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Professor Elemental<\/strong> \u2014 British steampunk performer, musician and writer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n G. D. Falksen<\/strong> \u2014 internationally published author and prominent voice within the steampunk community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lisa McGuigan<\/strong> \u2014 Australian winemaker, creative entrepreneur and founder of Lisa McGuigan Wines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Judges\u2019 Grand Prize<\/strong> is worth AUD $1,500<\/strong>, with the winner receiving the title International Steampunk Artist of the Year 2026<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A further AUD $500 People\u2019s Choice Prize<\/strong> will be decided through public voting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Under the competition rules, the same artwork may win both prizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The top finalists will also be featured in an online exhibition through Steampunk Australia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One unusual condition of the competition is that AI-generated and AI-assisted artwork is not eligible<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Entrants are required to declare that generative AI was not used in creating their submitted work, and Steampunk Australia encourages artists to retain photographs or other records showing their work in progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The intention is not to turn the competition into an argument about technology, but to provide a space specifically celebrating work conceived and created by people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSteampunk has always been about imagination \u2014 taking ideas from the past, pulling them apart and creating something that never existed. We want to see what people can make.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n The international prize follows an earlier Australian-only Steampunk Australia Art Competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rather than continue restricting the competition geographically, Steampunk Australia has opened the new prize to eligible creators worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The result is deliberately broad: professional artists can enter alongside hobbyists, makers, costumers, photographers, prop builders and people creating their first serious piece of steampunk work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is no entry fee<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Public voting is scheduled to run from 7 December 2026 until 24 January 2027<\/strong>, with finalists expected to be announced in early February and winners announced shortly afterwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Competition information: Enter online: Full terms and conditions: Entries close 30 November 2026 at 11.59pm Sydney time<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n International Steampunk Art Prize 2026<\/strong> Prize pool:<\/strong> AUD $2,000 Media enquiries:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\nFour judges from very different creative worlds<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Made by humans<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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From Australia to the world<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Enter the International Steampunk Art Prize 2026<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
https:\/\/steampunk.au\/competition\/<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
https:\/\/steampunk.au\/competition\/enter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
https:\/\/steampunk.au\/competition\/terms-and-conditions.html<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nMEDIA INFORMATION<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Presented by Steampunk Australia<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Entry:<\/strong> Free
Eligibility:<\/strong> Artists and makers aged 18+ worldwide, where permitted
Entries close:<\/strong> 30 November 2026
Website:<\/strong> steampunk.au<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Steampunk Australia
steampunkau2026@gmail.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n