Kilgour Prize entries have been open online since January. Event organisers are sticking to the planned timeframe for a gallery show starting August 1.

With many art prizes postponed or cancelled, continuation of Newcastle's showpiece, one of the country's major art prizes, is welcome news for the national arts community.

The Kilgour winner receives $50,000, with the People's Choice winner, as determined by votes from the public, receiving $5000.

"We've had a wonderful response online from local and national artists," Newcastle Art Gallery director Lauretta Morton said.

"They've voiced their appreciation for some normalcy during this time. It is very important that we continue to support artists where we can.

"This year's Kilgour Prize will either go ahead as planned in August or, if closures remain in place, we will adapt with an online exhibition and people's-choice voting."

In line with previous years the Kilgour Prize entry process is completely online.

In 2019 the $50,000 prize was won by Blak Douglas, for a portrait of Ursula Yovich. Joshua McPherson won the People's Choice award.

This year the Kilgour Prize will be judged by Lauretta Morton, University of Sydney curator and art history lecturer Stephen Gilchrist, and Museums and Galleries of NSW programs and touring exhibitions manager Rachel Arndt.

Entries for the prize close on Sunday, May 3.

Jack Noel Kilgour (1900-1987) was an Australian artist well known for his academic approach to landscape and portrait painting.

In 1987, Kilgour bequeathed funds for the creation of a major figurative and portrait art competition to be run in perpetuity at Newcastle Art Gallery.

Finalists for the 2020 prize will be announced on June 26, with the winner named on July 31. The exhibition is planned to open August 1.