CREATIVITY WITHOUT BORDERS
We are delighted to share the exciting news that the ACAR Art Prize has just completed its finalist selection this week — a key milestone in what has quickly become one of the most meaningful initiatives in the contemporary art world. Across two rounds of considered and rigorous review and judging, the final 62 artists have been selected from near 350 applications.
We now look ahead to the final judging in April 2026 and the upcoming exhibition, where these works will enter a shared space of viewing, dialogue, and encounter.
As the official media partner, UpCloud Studios has been honoured to be part of this journey, witnessing a pivotal movement in contemporary asian art.
WHAT IS ACAR?
Founded by Tina Tin and led by chairperson Geoff Raby AO ACAR (Australia China Art Residency), ACAR is the culmination of over a decade of pioneering work in cultural exchange led by the TWT Art Residency Program in St Leonards. The core mission for ACAR is in bridging artistic communities between Australia and China. ACAR aims to create lasting connections by supporting immersive artist residencies, collaborative projects and platforms like the ACAR Art Prize that encourage meaningful cross-cultural engagement and artistic dialogue.
WHAT IS THE ACAR ART PRIZE?
The ACAR Art Prize 2025 is presented by ACAR (Australian China Art Residency), TWT, Black Diamondz, Bridging Hope Charity Foundation, Mills Oakley, Stephen Fitzpatrick and Beatrice Rodriguez.
This is not just an art prize, but a platform that supports artists working across cultural intersections — particularly between China and the global art landscape. Rooted in the spirit of Australia–China cultural exchange, it reflects ACAR’s commitment to fostering cross-cultural dialogue through both its Art Prize and residency program.
Through the launch of this Prize, ACAR creates a world for artistic exchange, recognition, and dialogue that transcends geographic and linguistic boundaries.
More than a competition between artists, there is a stronger belief of:
'Art belongs everywhere, and artists should be recognised wherever they belong.'
THE JUDGING PANEL
The ACAR Art Prize judging panel brings together an exceptional group of leaders across art criticism, curatorial practice and academic research, representing some of the most influential voices in the Australian and international art landscape.
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John McDonald - one of Australia’s most authoritative and respected art critics, widely recognised for his long-standing role as Chief Art Critic for The Sydney Morning Herald and for shaping public and critical discourse around contemporary art in Australia for decades.
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Dr. Kristen Sharp - the Director and CEO of the National Art School. Standing as the Honorary Professor at RMIT University where she previously stood as the Associate Dean Discipline of Art. Kristen's research spans across contemporary Asian art, urban space, public art and sound art.
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Dr. Shao Yiyang - a leading art theorist and academic, sitting as the deputy chair of School of Humanities at Central Academy of Fine Art in Beijing and a member of Chinese CIHA Executive committee member. Dr. Shao has published multiple books on modern/contemporary art and theory.
Together, the panel brings a rigorous, globally informed and institutionally grounded perspective to the ACAR Art Prize, ensuring that the selected works are assessed with both critical depth and international relevance.
A MEANINGFUL MOMENT FOR ARTISTS AND ART COMMUNITIES
This year's finalist selection has brought together a remarkable group of artists whose work reflects diverse perspectives, cultural histories, and global resonances. Each finalist demonstrated creative excellence whilst contributing to a broader conversation about the representation of landscape.
For many of the participating artists, the ACAR Art Prize becomes more than a prize, it is a platform to be recognised both nationally and internationally.
This kind of gathering, full of ideas, voices and visions, is rare. But it is exactly what the art world needs right now.
'Fundamentally what we want to see is a connection between China and Australia'─── John McDonald
LOOKING AHEAD
Now that the finalists have been announced, the next phase begins:
Exhibitions, engagement, exchange — and the possibilities that come when art speaks across cultures.
We look forward to capturing all of it — the breakthroughs, the conversations, the moments of wonder.
Because when artists are given space to reflect the world in all its complexity, we all benefit.
To the finalists — congratulations.
To ACAR — thank you for creating a space that matters.
To the art community — here’s to growing together, across oceans and stories yet untold.
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acar_org
