Visitors in the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes 2025 exhibition, at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, photo © Art Gallery of New South Wales, Ken Leanfore

Archibald Prize Heads to Shepparton Art Museum for the First Time in 2026

Shepparton Art Museum to be the only Victorian venue to host Australia’s most celebrated portrait prize in 2026

The nation’s most-watched portrait prize is hitting the road next year, and Shepparton Art Museum has just scored the Victorian-exclusive. For the first time in its 100-plus-year history, the Archibald Prize is heading to Shepparton, with SAM confirmed as the only Victorian venue on the 2026 national tour and the first stop after the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Archibald Prize

Where: Shepparton Art Museum

When: 5 September – 1 November 2026

Keep up to date with all things arts, exhibitions and stage here.

 

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Running 5 September to 1 November 2026, the exhibition will bring the full force of Australia’s most celebrated portrait competition to the Goulburn Valley, showcasing the artists, cultural leaders, rebels, thinkers and everyday legends who shape contemporary Australia. The Archibald has long been the prize that sparks national debate, inspires fierce fandom and reminds us whose faces define the moment — and next year, Shepparton will be the place to see it all unfold.

SAM Artistic Director Danny Lacy says the museum is ready to welcome thousands of visitors eager to experience the blockbuster exhibition close to home.
“We are honoured to be the exclusive Victorian host of the Archibald Prize 2026,” Lacy says. “As the first destination on the regional tour, we look forward to celebrating the extraordinary talent showcased in this iconic exhibition. We know this experience has been heavily anticipated by our community, and we’re thrilled to be bringing such a significant event to the Goulburn Valley.”

The Art Gallery of New South Wales — custodians of the Archibald since 1921 — has also thrown its support behind the regional debut. Acting director of collections and exhibitions Wayne Tunnicliffe describes SAM as a natural cultural partner.

“The Archibald has a long and proud history of connecting audiences across Australia with the best in contemporary portraiture,” he says. “We’re delighted to be sharing this much-loved exhibition with the Shepparton community. SAM is an exceptional partner, and we look forward to seeing the Archibald Prize 2026 inspire local Victorian audiences and spark new conversations.”

For Shepparton, the announcement is more than a cultural win — it’s a major boost for local tourism.
Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor Cr Shane Sali says the exhibition will shine a national spotlight on the region.

“We are extremely proud to welcome the Archibald Prize to Greater Shepparton for the very first time,” he says. “This exhibition will attract visitors from across Australia, boosting local tourism and showcasing everything our region has to offer — from our thriving arts scene to our hospitality and culture.”

Alongside the portraits themselves, the 2026 season at SAM will be packed with public programming including artist talks, guided tours, hands-on workshops and community activities for all ages. Finalists, sitters, the Packing Room Prize and ticketing details will be announced in the new year by SAM and the Art Gallery of NSW.

Located on Yorta Yorta Country, SAM is one of Australia’s leading regional art museums and the newest purpose-built collecting institution in regional Victoria. The museum is home to one of the country’s most significant collections of Australian ceramics and a major regional collection of South Eastern Indigenous art. Through exhibitions, public programs and community engagement, SAM champions creativity and storytelling from across Australia’s ancient and contemporary cultures.

The Archibald Prize 2026 is an Art Gallery of New South Wales touring exhibition, supported by major partner Optus.

Find out more about Shepparton Art Museum’s exhibition program and the Archibald Prize here.