While there could be no Young Archies Competition official opening due to COVID-19 restrictions, the team at BAMM instead announced the winners virtually via video on its Facebook and Instagram pages, with judge Annabelle Simpson, chair of Moree Cultural Art Foundation, impressed by the depth of talent on show.

Leo Preston was named the under fives winner, while the two highly commended awards were given to anonymous entries.

In the five to eight years category, Amelia Eulenstein was announced as the winner, with highly commended for Niklas McGregor and Paris Barnes.

Joseph Vickerman took out the nine to 12 years division, while Tallara Newman and Rayma Honour were highly commended.

Finally, the winner of the 13 to 15 years category was Chloe Kribs.

Winners of each age category will receive a cash prize from ANZ, the presenting partner of the 2019 Archibald Prize and Young Archies competition.

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"We would like to congratulate the prize winners and all those who participated in the Young Archies Competition at BAMM," BAMM interim director Kate Tuart said.

"Held in conjunction with the 2019 Archibald Prize regional tour, this local competition offered budding young artists the opportunity to get involved in the Archibald action in Moree.

"We put the call out to our creative youth to get involved in the Young Archies and they answered with enthusiasm. Thank you to all those who attended the Young Archies Family Day last month, and who entered works into the competition."

Ms Tuart particularly thanked the schools, parents and friends who supported the initiative, including Tulloona Public School and Moree East Public School.

"To be showcased alongside the nationally renowned Archibald Prize will be something these local youth will look back on for years to come," she said.

"We had over 50 entries for the Young Archies and it's wonderful to see so many Moree families and school groups getting together and doing art - especially portraits of friends or family members they admire or see as role models."

Art Gallery of NSW exhibition loans and touring manager Georgia Connolly also congratulated the local artists on their outstanding entries, which take pride of place alongside the Gallery's touring Archibald Prize exhibition at BAMM.

"The Young Archie competition celebrates the outstanding creativity of young people and aims to inspire and nurture the next generation of artists," she said.

"We're excited to see the extraordinary enthusiasm from local children whose portraits will be shared with their community at a time when art is needed more than ever."

ANZ district manager Kim Sills said ANZ is very proud of the Archibald Prize partnership and its involvement in the arts and creative community in Australia.

"Recognising, supporting and fostering young talent is incredibly important and we extend our congratulations to all of the talented winners," she said.

BAMM encourages anyone who recognises the two anonymous artworks in the under five years category to come forward so that they can recognise the children's achievements.

In the event that the Archibald Prize reopens to the public at BAMM, the Young Archies entries will be displayed alongside the artworks of Archibald finalists.

In the meantime, the front windows of BAMM will be filled with the 51 entries for families to enjoy on a walk or while driving past. Young Archies portraits will also be accessible online.

BAMM encourages artists and families to keep their eye out for upcoming updates as the arts move online during this time of change.

BAMM will continue to bring all the Archibald action and more via its Instagram and Facebook @bammoree pages for people to enjoy from home, including its An Archie a Day series.

BAMM is planning more exciting projects to keep families interested, entertained and up-to-date as the gallery space moves online.