About the exhibition

The Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize features 74 artworks that engage with nature and the natural sciences. The exhibition runs once every two years and is open to artists working across all mediums including 2D, 3D, and digital works.

Works are displayed on walls, in glass display cabinets, and on open plinths. Some works are suspended from the ceiling, and one is laid flat on the floor. Works can be viewed from a seated or standing position.

The exhibition is located on the ground floor of the South Australian Museum and runs from 10 April – 19 July 2026.

The exhibition is open every day from 10:00am – 5:00pm, including public holidays and weekends.

Entry and tickets

The Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize is a ticketed exhibition. Tickets can be purchased online or at the Museum on the day of your visit. The point of sale may change throughout the run to accommodate busy periods and other events at the Museum. You can find out where to buy tickets by asking at the main information desk on the ground floor.

You can buy tickets online here.

Ticket sales at the Museum are card only. The Museum is cashless for exhibition ticket sales.

Tickets are $15 adults, $12 concession, seniors and students. Free entry for South Australian Museum members and children aged 12 years and under.

The Museum is a member of the Companion Card scheme and offer complimentary admission to Companion Card holders to all ticketed events and exhibitions.

The rest of the Museum remains free to visit and does not require a ticket.

The entrance to the exhibition space is located on the western side on the foyer, near the red staircase. Entry is through automatic sliding doors. Tickets will be scanned by staff before you go in.

There is a gentle incline at the entrance to the exhibition, immediately after entering through the doors. The rest of the exhibition has flat, carpeted flooring.

Tickets are single entry, if you need to briefly exit, see staff for a pass out that allows for re-entry.

Wayfinding

Once inside the exhibition, you are free to explore and move about in any direction. Many visitors move around in a clockwise direction, but this is not compulsory. There are some corners which may require you to double back, and these may be tighter for some larger power chairs to navigate.

Purchasing artworks

All artworks in the exhibition are for sale. Prices are listed on the text next to each artwork. If you would like to inquire about purchasing an artwork, speak to staff at the front desk.

A red dot is placed on the Information Plaques when an artwork is sold and no longer available.

People’s Choice Award

Visitors can vote for their favourite work using tablets located near the doors of the exhibition.  Voting is optional. You can ask staff for assistance if required.

Staff

There will not always be staff inside the exhibition space. If you need assistance, you can speak to staff on the front desk. If you need to leave the exhibition to ask staff for assistance, you will be able to go back in.

Crowds and busy times

Morning, weekends, and school holidays are usually the busiest times for visiting the exhibition.  Late afternoons, especially on weekdays, are often quieter.  Please note that tickets cannot be purchased at the door after 4:30pm, but once inside you are welcome to stay until Museum closes at 5:00pm.

Audio Description

An audio described trail is available for this exhibition, and can be accessed by scanning a QR codes with your own device.  The trail starts with an introduction and room overview accessed via a QR code located to the left of the exhibition doors. From there the trail includes 9 artworks which include the emerging and open category winners.  For all the wall mounted artworks the QR code is to the left under the wall label.  On the 3D artworks, the code in on the top of the plinth, facing upwards towards the ceiling. The descriptions have been prepared by Access2Arts and will follow a clockwise path around the exhibition.

The QR codes can be scanned using any smartphone, and also have NaviLens enhancements, which provide additional audio feedback to people using the NaviLens app. Each QR code also as a braille tactile indicator to assist users to understand the location and size of the code.

The audio descriptions can also be found on our Access and Inclusion page and can be accessed at any time.