Waste 2 Art Mid-Western Competition 2026

26 June – 26 July 2026

Waste 2 Art Mid-Western Competition 2026
Educate, inform and challenge the way we look at waste!

ENTRIES NOW OPEN

Submit your online entry form by 5:00 pm Monday 22 June

Waste 2 Art is a community art exhibition and competition open to all local residents who reside in the NetWaste region. It engages the community and showcases creative works made from reused & recyclable waste materials.. Mudgee Arts Precinct hosts the popular annual local competition and exhibition on behalf of Mid-Western Regional Council residents.

Winning artworks from the local competition will go on to represent the Mid-Western region in the Regional Exhibition which is hosted by a different council each year. The aim of Waste 2 Art is to challenge people's perceptions about 'rubbish' and to celebrate the reuse and recycling of waste through arts and crafts.

Waste 2 Art offers an innovative approach to waste education, inviting individuals, schools, and community groups to take up the challenge and create new life for materials that would otherwise be discarded. Over the years, many materials have been used, including soft plastics, tin cans, bottle tops, plastic bags, scrap metal, and clothing—the options are endless. Instead of heading to landfill, these waste materials can be transformed into fantastic works of art.

The Waste 2 Art exhibition is crucial as it fosters environmental awareness and creativity within the community. By transforming discarded materials into art, it challenges the conventional view of waste, highlighting the potential for reuse and recycling. This exhibition not only educates the public about sustainable practices but also inspires individuals, schools, and community groups to think creatively about waste management. It serves as a powerful reminder of the impact of our consumption habits and encourages a shift towards more sustainable living. Through art, Waste 2 Art celebrates innovation and the beauty of repurposed materials, making a significant contribution to environmental education and community engagement.

2026 Competition Theme – Shrink Your Footprint

Each year a specific waste item or theme is featured, this year the theme is Shrink Your Footprint.

In the spirit of this theme, all finished artworks must fit into – and be delivered within – a shoebox. Artworks may fold out or expand to be larger once displayed; however, when packed, they must fit inside a single shoebox.

Ways to Embrace the Theme

Create a collapsible or expanding artwork that fits into a shoebox but transforms into something much larger when displayed.
Design mini worlds with big messages – a small scene inside (or packed into) a shoebox that highlights the contrast between wasteful living and sustainable living.
Reflect on your own waste footprint: How much waste do you create? How can your artwork communicate ways to reduce it?
Consider how small actions (or small amounts of waste) can lead to large environmental impacts. How can you express this idea through art?
Repair, restore, reuse – transform a broken or discarded object into something new, functional, or artistic.

Tips to Score Well in the Competition

✅ Use only waste/recycled materials (explain where they came from in your artist statement)
✅ Make sure it packs into a shoebox (even if it expands later)
✅ Clearly communicate a waste reduction message
✅ Include a strong artist statement (under 200 words) explaining your idea
✅ Focus on creativity + problem awareness or solutions

Materials Guidelines

Entrants must outline where their materials come from in their submission.

NetWaste will not accept entries at the Regional level if they include newly purchased craft materials such as plastic eyes, glitter, pipe cleaners, foam modelling materials, etc., as these go against the spirit of Waste 2 Art.

Instead, get creative with materials that are already destined for landfill or recycling. The only new materials permitted are those required to assemble the work, such as glue, pins, and paper-based tape (rather than plastic alternatives).

Submit your entry online here

Key Dates

Monday 22 June: Entries close 5pm – online
Wednesday 24 June (between 9am and 5pm): Delivery of works to Mudgee Arts Precinct
Friday 26 June 9.00 am - 2.00 pm: Judging
Friday 26 June 3.30pm: Exhibition officially opens, winners announced.
Sunday 26 July: Exhibition closes
3pm Monday 27 July – 5pm Tuesday 28 July: Collection of works
Saturday 15th August: Regional Showcase exhibition Official Opening and Announcement of Winners – Albert Kersten Mining and Minerals Museum, Broken Hill NSW 2880

Entry Categories

Individual or group entries are welcome in all categories.

Primary School (Includes preschool and early learning)
2 Dimensional
3 Dimensional
Functional

High School
2 Dimensional
3 Dimensional
Functional

Community (Open to non-professional artists)
2 Dimensional
3 Dimensional
Functional

Open (Professional artists may enter this category*)
2 Dimensional
3 Dimensional
Functional

*For the purpose of this competition a Professional Artist is defined as an individual who may not necessarily have formal art education but has a history of exhibiting in solo or group exhibitions.

Terms & Conditions

click here to view or download the T&C's(PDF, 356KB)

MORE INFORMATION

Contact the Cultural Team at Mudgee Arts Precinct for more information.
PHONE NUMBER: 02 6378 2850
EMAIL: map@midwestern.nsw.gov.au