All awards

The awards and challenges presented by Queensland Poetry are an essential platform for both emerging and established poets to build their profile and present new works.

In addition to cash prizes, industry support and professional development, recipients also receive the opportunity to present their award-winning works at future festivals and events.

Among the prizes is the Arts Queensland Thomas Shapcott Poetry Prize for an unpublished manuscript, named in honour of this distinguished Queensland poet. Now in its 20th year, this prestigious award includes $2,000 prize money, and a publishing contract with University of Queensland Press (UQP).

Queensland Poetry Awards

Val Vallis Award

Named in honour of a distinguished Queensland poet, the Arts Queensland Val Vallis Award for an Unpublished Poem is committed to encouraging poets throughout Australia.

This prestigious prize for an unpublished poem (or suite of poems) of 80 lines or fewer comes with a total value of $1,500.

Thomas Shapcott Poetry Prize

The Arts Queensland Thomas Shapcott Poetry Prize for an Unpublished Manuscript discovers and celebrates emerging Queensland poets.

Now in its 20th year, this prestigious prize for an unpublished poetry manuscript comes with total prize money of $2,000.

Oodgeroo Noonuccal Indigenous Poetry Prize

QP is proud to present Australia’s only open-age prize for an unpublished poem by an Indigenous writer.

The winner of this prize, established in 2016, receives $2000.

XYZ Prize for Excellence in Spoken Word

The Arts Queensland XYZ Prize is Australia’s only national arts award for spoken word poetry.

This prize, named after 2010 Arts Queensland Poet in Residence, Emily XYZ, is worth $1000 cash.

Supported by Arts Queensland, QP provides residencies to exceptional inernational poets. Established in 2005, QP invites international talent to engage directly with Queensland's poetry and spoken-word communities.

QRAA Ekphrasis Challenge

The QRAA Ekphrasis Challenge invites poets Australia-wide to respond to artworks featured in the Queensland Regional Arts Awards.

Each poet selected is awarded a fee for their writing, which is published as didactic response alongside the works.