Top Arts 2027 Applications
Top Arts 2027 applications
Top Arts 2027 applications closed at midnight on Monday 26 October 2026.
The annual Top Arts exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria is a celebration of the creativity and talent of young artists across the state. The exhibition is part of the Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority’s Season of Excellence program, showcasing the outstanding work created by students who have completed VCE Art Making and Exhibiting and VCE Art Creative Practice.
Students from across Victoria who have completed Units 3 and 4 of VCE in 2026 are warmly encouraged to apply to be part of the exhibition in 2027. If you are interested in applying for Top Arts 2027, please complete application form below. You will need to fill out a separate form for each artwork you submit.
Applications to Top Arts are open from 9am Tuesday 1 September to 11:59pm Monday 26 October 2026.
Before you start, make sure you have the following:
- Up to five images to support your submission. These images should include photos of your final artwork showing various angles and details. You might also wish to include photos of pages from your folio that help show the intention behind your artwork.
- Your VCE Authentication Record. If you’re not sure what this is, you can ask your teacher.
- If you are not receiving a study score for your VCE Visual Art subject, you will also need this letter of endorsement completed and signed by your teacher.
Selection criteria
Exemplary resolved artworks and folio/support material are selected from a range of media, themes and approaches based on their demonstration of the following criteria:
- Fulfil the assessment criteria for VCE Art Making and Exhibiting or VCE Creative Practice
- Strong conceptual development
- Imaginative and individual qualities
- Technical excellence
- An awareness of aesthetic considerations
- An awareness of past and contemporary art practices
Works must also fulfil the following technical requirements:
- Be appropriate for public exhibition
- Fit exhibition constraints including space and safe weight restrictions
- Be suitable for display purposes in regard to fragility and power needs and stable enough to be shown for the duration of the exhibition, for example, works on paper must be suitable for mounting, framing or pinning
- Have copyright clearance for all non-original material used
If you’ve already applied, thank you!
All applications submitted by students will be assessed by the jurors for shortlisting.
The shortlisting process will be completed by late November 2026. All applicants will be notified of shortlist results at that time.
Contact us
Contact us via the form below if you have any questions.
