Geelong Gallery is delighted to be the exclusive Victorian venue for the Archibald Prize 2025 from 30 August to 9 November. The annual Archibald Prize is eagerly anticipated by artists and audiences alike.
Judged by the trustees of the Art Gallery of NSW, the Prize is awarded to the best portrait painting. Since 1921, the Archibald Prize has highlighted figures from all walks of life, from famous faces to local heroes, reflecting the stories of our times.
“Geelong Gallery is delighted to present the Archibald Prize 2025 to Victorian audiences, continuing our relationship with this prestigious exhibition,” said Jason Smith, Director & CEO, Geelong Gallery. “Geelong Gallery has a proud history of hosting the Archibald Prize in 2017 and 2018, and the centenary exhibition Archie 100: A Century of the Archibald Prize in 2021.”
“In our 2018 presentation of the Prize, we attracted over 75,000 visitors over 58 days, and with an extended presentation of 71 days in 2025, we anticipate welcoming even greater audience numbers to Geelong to experience this iconic celebration of portraiture.”
“The 2025 exhibition promises to build on Geelong Gallery’s legacy of presenting engaging and significant exhibitions that connect with audiences from across the region and beyond, showcasing the breadth of contemporary artistic practice in Australia, and delivering significant cultural and economic benefit to our community,” said Mr Smith.
There is a strong local connection between Geelong and the Archibald Prize. JF Archibald was born in Geelong West on 14 January 1856 and lived in the region, beginning his journalism career in Warrnambool when he was 15 years old.
The Archibald Prize has always created controversy and conversation. For over a century, artists from Australia and New Zealand have captured the spirit of their times through portraiture, reflecting the personalities and issues that define their communities.
Geelong Gallery is the first tour venue following the Art Gallery of NSW’s presentation of Archibald Prize 2025 from 10 May to 17 August 2025 and looks forward to presenting a complementary program of public events and learning opportunities designed to engage and inspire our diverse audiences. Tickets will go on sale in early 2025.
For more information, visit: www.geelonggallery.org.au for details.
Image: Installation view of the Archibald Prize 2018 at Geelong Gallery – photo by Andrew Curtis