AIB Young Portrait Prize 2026

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The annual AIB Young Portrait Prize returns in 2026. Open to young people across the island of Ireland, it encourages creativity and self-expression among young artists aged up to 18. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in November 2026. The competition culminates in an exhibition in our Portrait Gallery. 

Curated by Sinéad Rice, Head of Education and Public Programming at the National Gallery of Ireland.

See it at the National Gallery of Ireland from 14 November 2026 - 14 March 2027. 

Portrait Gallery | Admission free

Shortlist announced!

Ages 6 and under

Ziiti DiMaio, Age 5, Mama 
Tessa Brennan, Age 6, Gaga Dom
Victoria Muradova, Age 6, The Butterfly Chose Me
Fiadh O'Neill, Age 6, Swimming in the Sea
Zoe Frida Wiercioch Chinatamunnee, Age 6, This Is Me, Zoe

Ages 7-11

Elizaveta Egoshina, Age 9, Sunny Days in Mount Congreve Gardens
Robin Corrigan, Age 10, Me
Adam Wiercioch Chinatamunnee, Age 10, Carlos the Creative Soul
Michael Ryan, Age 11, My Grandad's Smile
Emily Yilin Situ, Age 11, Kindness in a Note

Ages 12-15

Charlotte Leahy, Age 14, Girl with a Yellow Hat
Silke Semmler Marin, Age 14, Radiant Seasons
Eve Harrigan, Age 15, You Belong Here
Bentley O'Balogun, Age 15, Oldest Trick in the Book
Haomiao Xu, Age 15, Snatches of Springtime

Ages 16-18

Eva Boyle, Age 16, Do I Know You Yet
Isla Case, Age 16, Immersed
Ruaidhrí Condon, Age 18, Distractions
Aoibhinn McDermott, Age 17, What I'm Really Reaching For
Aoife Newman, Age 17, Come Out, We're At the Curb

Judges:

Read more about the judging panel here.

Partner venues: 

The Gallery is delighted to partner with Galway Arts Centre and Limerick City Gallery of Art to present the AIB Portrait Prize and AIB Young Portrait Prize 2026. Following their display at the National Gallery of Ireland, the exhibitions will travel to Galway Arts Centre from 3 April to 27 June 2027, and to Limerick City Gallery of Art from 9 July to 15 August 2027.

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