USU Creative Awards
Open to all students at the University of Sydney, the USU Creative Awards is the largest cross-disciplinary art prize in the Australian university sector, highlighting the very best of the creative arts from our student body.
USU Creative Awards predate the current USU itself, with the Men's Union and Women's Union running creative competitions before the amalgamation in 1972. Since 1972, USU has consistently held student competitions for works of art, photography and literature. In 2008, these competitions were combined into one awards program with the addition of a music category, creating the PALM (Photo, Art, Literature and Music) Awards. The PALM Awards would become the Verge Awards in 2012, then finally USU Creative Awards in 2017.
USU Creative Awards 2026 are divided into the categories of Art, Music, Word and Short Film with each category awarding the following prize amounts:
1st Prize: $2000
2nd Prize: $1500
People’s Choice: $500
The shortlisted works in each category will be exhibited at Verge Gallery from 25 August - 25 September 2026.
USU Member's Choice
Vote below for your favourite works across the four categories and enter the draw to win an Art Gallery of New South Wales membership for you and a friend! Voting is open until 12pm on 23 September - submit yours below:
Public Programs 2026
Short Film Screening
Immerse yourself in a series of short films created by Sydney’s emerging filmmakers at our Short Film Screening!
Sit back, grab some popcorn, and transport yourself into the filmic worlds created by the finalists on the ‘big screen.'
Drinks and snacks will be provided.
Date: Friday 11 September
Time: 5:30pm - 7pm
Location: Verge Gallery
Register now ↗
Spoken Word Night
From fantastical works of fiction to pieces of exacting cultural criticism, Spoken Word Night is an opportunity to engage with the vast array of material written and performed by Sydney’s next generation of writers.
Hear from students shortlisted for the Word category of the 2026 USU Creative Awards as they read out excerpts of their written works at Verge.
Open to all students at USyd, the annual USU Creative Awards is Australia's largest university student union creative prize, highlighting the very best of on-campus creativity from our student community.
Drinks and snacks will be provided.
Date: Wednesday 9 September
Time: 5:30pm - 7pm
Location: Verge Gallery
Register now ↗
Live Music
Looking for another night of USYD's best live acts? Immerse yourself in the sounds of the USU Creative Awards Music category shortlisted works LIVE at Hermann's Bar.
From indie bands to ambient soundscapes, we're putting on a music show you don't want to miss.
Open to all students at USyd, the annual USU Creative Awards is Australia's largest university student union creative prize, highlighting the very best of on-campus creativity from our student community.
Drinks and snacks will be provided.
Date: Thursday 17 September
Time: 5:30pm - 8:00pm
Location: Hermann’s Bar
Register now ↗
Artist Talks
Bring along friends and family for a Saturday afternoon of art and refreshments! Finalists of the Art category of the USU Creative Awards will speak about the concepts and processes which have informed their practices and led them to create the works featured within this year’s USU Creative Awards exhibition at Verge.
Open to all students at USyd, the annual USU Creative Awards is Australia's largest university student union creative prize, highlighting the very best of on-campus creativity from our student community.
Drinks and snacks will be provided.
Date: Saturday 12 September
Time: 11am - 2pm
Location: Verge Gallery
Register now ↗
Creative Awards Night + Creative Month Closing Party
Send off Creative Month with a bang at Verge’s annual USU Creative Awards Night!
Marking the close of Creative Month, this Creative Awards ceremony will be our biggest yet. Expect the best up-and-coming DJs, late-night art, plenty of delicious food and drinks, and an overall buzzy atmosphere as the sun sets on Creative Month.
Beginning with the announcement of the winners of all four Creative Awards categories (Art, Music, Word & Short Film) by our incredible industry judges, and featuring musical performances from last year’s winners, this event is an opportunity to celebrate the next generation of Sydney creatives.
Come along to meet like-minded people, have a boogie, and cheer on the artistic talent thriving on campus.
Free. All welcome.
Date: Thursday 24 September
Time: 5:30pm-8:30pm
Location: Verge Gallery
Register now ↗
Past USU Creative Awards Exhibitions
Explore past USU Creative Award exhibitions and winners below.
2025 exhibition ↗
2024 exhibition, curated by Beatrice Waller ↗
2023 exhibition, curated by Lucy Brosnan ↗
2022 exhibition, curated by Anneka Scholtz ↗
2021 exhibition, curated by Emily Roebuck ↗