Council has called on painters and mixed-media artists to enter a competition aimed at helping them acquire a collection of works produced in the region.

The winner of the major award, the Cabonne Acquisitive Art Prize, will receive $4250, while a People's Choice award will be worth $1000. There will also be $500 for the winning high school entry and $250 for a primary school prize.

Council will purchase the winning art to be hung in the Molong Community Hall, opposite the Council Chambers in Bank Street.

Entry to the competition will open on Friday and close on January 24.

Chairperson of the Council's art prize Libby Oldham said the competition would increase participation in Cabonne's arts and cultural program.

"It will enable Council to acquire and exhibit quality works which showcase the talents of artists in the Shire, as well as fostering a sense of identity, pride and place in Cabonne," Cr Oldham said.

Initially, the art prize will be open to any artist living or working in the Cabonne Local Government Area or who has attended a school in the Shire.

The inaugural exhibition will be held in Molong in March next year, with the official opening and announcement of the winning works taking place on March 19.