Prix Jérôme De Costa

The Jerome De Costa Prize, launched by Sydney College of the Arts (SCA) at the University of Sydney, is an annual award that recognises outstanding contemporary visual artists who have graduated from SCA. The prize provides a $20,000 one‑off award to the selected recipient, with an additional $1,000 to each shortlisted artist to assist with costs related to the accompanying exhibition. Applicants must have been awarded a degree from SCA, be 40 years of age or younger at the time of application, and be able to contribute artwork to the prize exhibition at SCA. Winners are expected to develop and present a new body of work at SCA within two years of the award. The call is open to all eligible SCA graduates; previous winners within the past five years and current SCA employees are excluded. Applications open on 19 October 2026 and close on 9 November 2026 (5 pm AEST). Finalist notification occurs in December 2026, with the recipient announced on 24 February 2027 and a finalist exhibition running from 25 February to 20 March 2027. The prize is funded by a donation from the de Costa family in memory of Jerome de Costa.

Prize money ($20,000), $1,000 assistance for shortlisted artists, exhibition opportunity at SCA, professional exposure.

Must hold a degree from Sydney College of the Arts; age ≤40; must contribute artwork to the exhibition; must develop new work within two years; previous winners (last 5 years) and SCA employees ineligible.