The Bayton Award 2025 – entries now open
Published on 02 July 2025
Entries are now open for Rockhampton Museum of Art’s The Bayton Award.
The competition returns for the seventh iteration in 2025 with $18,200 in prizes including, two emerging artist bursaries and new Mini Bayton categories for young artists.
The biennial art prize, organised by Rockhampton Museum of Art, is open to artists working with all form of art media residing in Central Queensland. In 2025 two new ‘Mini Bayton’ categories have been introduced for young artists aged 5 – 14 for 2D works on A3 paper.
The Bayton Award is named in honour of The Right Reverend John Bayton who was the Chair of Rockhampton Art Gallery’s Art Acquisition Fund in 1975. An artist in his own right, he was instrumental in establishing Rockhampton’s collection of nationally significant artworks, together with Mayor Rex Pilbeam, Architect Neil McKendry and Gallery Director Don Taylor.
A selection panel of visual arts experts from outside Central Queensland will shortlist the entries, with finalists going on to be exhibited at Rockhampton Museum of Art in November 2025 through to February 2026.
The selection panel comprises:
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
The 2025 special guest judge is 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.
Entries will be accepted via an online platform only, and entrants are encouraged to read the full terms and conditions.
Rockhampton Regional Council Communities and Heritage Spokesperson Cr Drew Wickerson said that The Bayton Award was an exciting time for local artists.
“It’s a great opportunity for our local artists to shine and Council is very happy to have created and continue to deliver this award,” he said.
“I encourage local artists, in particular young / emerging artists, to submit entries to the competition,” he said.
Entries are now open and will close on Monday 4 August at 4pm.
More information:
www.rmoa.com.au/BaytonAward2025
DETAILS
The Bayton Award: $10,000
The Bayton Award Runner-Up: $5,000
The Bayton Award People’s Choice: $1000
Chris Warby Emerging Artist Bursary Ages 15-30 x 2: $1000 eachz
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
Open to artists residing in the following local government areas: Rockhampton, Livingstone, Gladstone, Banana, Woorabinda, Central Highlands, Isaac, Barcaldine, Blackall-Tambo, Longreach, Winton, Barcoo, Diamantina and Boulia.
Previous Bayton Award winners:
Niloufar Lovegrove (2023)
Easton Dunne (2019)
Tobias de Maine (2017)
Carmel Knowles (2014)
Kobie Stewart (2013)
Patrick Connor (2012)
Finalists will be displayed in an exhibition at RMOA from November 2025 to February 2026.
The Mini Bayton will be displayed in the Margaret Olley Art Trust Collection Study Room adjacent to the finalist exhibition in Gallery 2.2 from November 2025 to February 2026.
Rockhampton Museum of Art is owned and operated by Rockhampton Regional Council.
ENDS.