The Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden is proud to be home to the inaugural Wild HeART Student Art Prize, a celebration of children and young people’s creative excellence and their deep connection to Australia’s remarkable biodiversity.
5 - 18 year olds from across the Sunshine Coast and neighbouring Local Government Areas enter their 2-D, original artworks of Australian fauna, flora and/or fungi.
Now entering its fifth year in 2026, Wild HeART was established in 2022 as a community partnership between Sunshine Coast Council, Queensland Wildlife Artists Society Inc., Friends of Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden and the Friends of Mary Cairncross Association. Since then, the prize has received in excess of 1100 entries and celebrated more than 120 young finalists. The next generation’s artistic skill and love for nature has been made visible through exhibitions in the Arts and Ecology Centre, and more recently through vibrant outdoor exhibition trails. An estimated 8000 visitors come and see the Finalists' Exhibition each year, and make their favourites known through the People's Choice Award.
Key dates and essential links:
Please read the 2026 Conditions of Entry before submitting your artwork. This contains critical information about eligibility, judging criteria and instructions on how to enter.
| Entries open | 5 July 2026 |
| Entries close | 5 October 2026 |
| Finalists announced | 27 November 2026 |
| Finalists' exhibition trail | December 2026 - January 2027 |
Are you ready to submit your 2026 entry?
Wild HeART Student Art Prize artwork submission link
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Take a look at finalists from previous years