The award was established in 1987[1] as an initiative of the Anglican Church Grammar School in Brisbane (known as "Churchie"[2]).
[3] Brand + Slater Architects became the major prize sponsors from around 1998.
[4] Its name was at that time "the churchie national emerging art prize".
[5][6] GUAG established a partnership with the school, and staff members from the school sat on the Emerging Art Committee as well as developing educational materials to complement the exhibition, aimed at school-age students.
[4] Since 2019 and as of 2022[update], the Institute of Modern Art in Brisbane has hosted the awards.