2026 Kate Derum and Irene Davies Awards

Join us for the 2026 Kate Derum and Irene Davies Awards exhibition opening and winner announcement, celebrating excellence in contemporary tapestry. Held biennially, the awards celebrate contemporary tapestry and bring together artists working across the medium. This year, we received applications from artists across 22 countries, reflecting the breadth of contemporary tapestry today. The 2026 finalists offer a snapshot of the ideas, materials and approaches shaping the medium, from emerging perspectives to established practices. Across five awards, the program recognises established and emerging artists, innovation in tapestry techniques and materials, excellence in craftsmanship, and the support of the wider tapestry community. The awards include the Kate Derum Award, Irene Davies Award, Chris Cochius Innovation Award, Brian Derum People’s Choice Award and Maker to Maker Award. The 2026 judges are Rachel Arndt, Director of Wangaratta Art Gallery; Anna Dunnill, winner of the 2024 Kate Derum Award; Beck Jobson, GM/Head of Studio at ATW; and Ema Shin, 2026 Biennale of Sydney artist. Join us to celebrate excellence in contemporary tapestry, connect with fellow weavers and tapestry enthusiasts, and discover the outstanding work of this year’s finalists and award winners.