When it comes to incredible art, size doesn't matter with some of Australia's smallest regional towns across the North West home to some of the country's most revered art awards.
The colourful contrasts of the region's natural environment and raw beauty, layered with strong cultural connection makes the region a mecca for artists who flock to the Kimberley and Pilbara to inspire their next masterpiece.
The most famous is the Cossack Art Awards which has become the richest acquisitive art award in regional Australia.
Now in its 27th year, the Cossack Art Awards continue to grow both within the region as the highlight of the cultural calendar, and across Australia as a nationally significant art prize that attracts an extremely high calibre of participation. For three weeks across July and August, the small town of Cossack in the Pilbara comes alive with hundreds of vibrant artworks showcasing Australia's very best artistic talent.
Further north, the Kimberley township of Derby is known for the Kimberley Art & Photographic Prize which has grown remarkably both in size and popularity since its inception in 1970. As one of the longest-running regional art prizes in Western Australia, it showcases an impressive and diverse range of artistic talent from the Kimberley Region. The Photographic Award exhibits an extraordinary display of amateur and professional prints capturing the Kimberley with incredible landscapes and portraits.
With a long association of harbouring artistic local talent, Broome celebrates its own dedication to the people, culture and history of Broome each year with the Shinju Matsuri Art Awards in September.
Capping the award season in the North West is the Hedland Art Awards in October. Presented by the Port Hedland Courthouse Gallery, these awards claim to be one of the richest and most prestigious non-acquisitive regional art awards in Australia which offers new and upcoming artists the opportunity to develop and showcase their artistic talents.
In-and-around these incredible events, the Kimberley and Pilbara is a year-round art connoisseur's haven boasting some of the world's most unique and sought-after talents on display in humble galleries throughout the region.
Find the dates for the art awards around the North West in our events calendar.
