National Photographic Portrait Prize 2026: Final Edition at Canberra's NPG

The National Portrait Gallery in Canberra will wrap up the National Photographic Portrait Prize in 2026, marking the end of its nineteen-year run. With over a thousand submissions, thirty finalists were chosen. Launched in 2007, this prize succeeded earlier attempts at the Art Gallery of New South Wales from 2003 to 2006. Judges Isobel Parker Philip, Gillian Raymond, and Mark Mohel adopted a broad interpretation of portraiture. Nathan Beard won for his photograph of his Thai aunty, Mae Khong. The exhibition features works by artists like Petrina Hicks and Christian Thompson, showcasing a variety of themes. It will be open until 11 October 2026 and will tour other galleries until February 2028, with a new prize model debuting in early 2027.