Melville Contemporary launched as a new biennial art prize in 2021. It was selective, acquisitive, and open to professional artists based in Western Australia.

In 2021 it awarded a $15,000 main prize and a $2,000 highly commended prize (non-acquisitive). Finalists were selected by curators Carly Lane, Jana Braddock, and Yvonne Doherty, and were exhibited at Goolugatup Heathcote from 16 July to 5 September 2021.

The main award winners were Pascale Giorgi (main prize) and Ross Potter (highly commended). The full 2021 finalists were:

Sam Bloor, Mathew Clark, Erin Coates, Jennifer Cochrane, Rebecca Dagnall, Tarryn Gill, Pascale Giorgi, Sohan Ariel Hayes, Rusty Maeva, Lia McKnight, Ross Potter, Sally Stoneman and Dung-Chuan Wen.

Melville Contemporary is an initiative of the City of Melville and Goolugatup Heathcote.