Cga Creative Writing Competition

Our pick of the biggest and best UK Art Competitions 2021-2022 with dates, deadlines, prizes and entry fees…

Art competitions are not for everyone. Hockney once quipped 'you wouldn't call Picasso an award-winning artist, would you?' Art awards neither make good artists nor confirm bad ones. All they attest is that a selection of judges like the work – and, if the art gods are smiling, hand over a suitcase of cash to prove it.

If you can afford the entry fees and maintain a zen-like tranquillity if your work doesn't make the cut then you're all set enter these UK art competitions. If it does get selected then an exciting exhibition awaits and you can practice that astonished winner's acceptance speech. Fingers crossed. Competitions are listed in chronological order by submission deadline date.

See also Children's Art Competitions.

RE:SEARCHING IT SECURITY

Are you an artist working at the intersection of science and art? Work with researchers in Bochum, Germany on the topic of IT security.

Close:	24th November 2021 enter now!
News:	Announcement of artist: 03/12/2021
Prize:	Award: €11,000(budget for artist residency to cover artist fee: €7,500 & production of artwork: €3,500
Brief:	Through an artistic journey, together with researchers from CASA and the Horst Görtz Institute for IT Security at the Ruhr-Universität Bochum, the impact of our digital existence on the social freedoms of society, and the systems on which it is based, will be investigated and rethought. The residency aims to stimulate critical dialogue on important issues such as privacy, surveillance, and cyberattacks, and to change the way people recognize and understand the potential dangers of technologies.
Dates:	Residency lasts from 17/01/2022 to 18/03/2022
Who:	UK and International artists (open to professional and experienced artists from all art disciplines, regardless of gender, religion, ethnicity or age)
Fees:	No Entry Fee
Site:	Enter here

D31 Annual Winter Exhibition

Call for entries on the theme of 'Togetherness' for online and offline exhibitions at the Doncaster based gallery with prizes totalling £1,000.

Close:	8th December 2021 enter now!
News:	Artwork delivery: 4th – 9th Jan 2022
Prize:	First Prize: £500 Second Prize: £250 Member's Prize: £250(gallery artists only)
Show:	D31 Gallery, Doncaster exhibition(23-27 March 2022)
What:	Any medium
Theme:	"Togetherness. Winter is a time of calm and restraint, a time of magic, when all around us reflect in mysterious ways. We call all artists to submit work which reflects everything that winter represents. From togetherness to separation, from warmth to cold, from winter landscapes to dreams of summer, from light to dark, from movement to serenity."
Who:	UK and international artists
Fees:	No entry fee (max 5 artworks, £30 exhibition fee if selected)
Site:	Enter here

Royal Society of British Artists

Invites painters, sculptors and printmakers to submit work for the Society's Annual Exhibition 2022 with a prize fund of over £5,000.

Close:	10th December 2021 enter now!
News:	Shortlist 17th December 2021
Prize:	de Laszlo Foundation Prize: £1,500(best artwork from life by an artist aged 35 or under) Surgeon's Prize: £500 John Lynn Young Artist Prize: £500 Peter Kelly Prize: £300 Ronald Morgan Memorial Award: £250 Winsor & Newton Painting Award: £500(art materials value) Michael Harding Award: £500(art materials value) Various other awards and prizes.
Show:	Mall Galleries, London(3-12 Mar 2022)
What:	Any medium including sculpture and original prints.
Who:	UK and international artists (18+)
Fees:	£20 per work, £14 if under 35 (max 6 artworks)
Site:	Enter here

Visual Art Open

Seventh year of the not-for-profit event open to both amateur and professional artists based in the UK and internationally.

Close:	15th December 2021 enter now!
News:	Shortlist date TBA
Prize:	First Prize: £2,000(plus London solo show, annual mentorship programme, VAA Premium Annual Membership, Momentum Programme, Art Supplies Category Winners: £250(Painting/Mixed Media/Printmaking, Illustration/Drawing, Sculpture, Photography/Digital Art, Young Artist 16-24)
Show:	London exhibition dates TBA
What:	Drawing, printing, painting, photography, digital art, sculpture and video
Who:	UK & International artists (over 18)
Fees:	£20 for 1 artwork (+£10 per additional artwork, 5 works maximum, £5 discount for under 24s)
Site:	Enter here

The World Reimagined

Bring to life the impact of the Transatlantic Slave Trade via large globe sculptures to be shown in UK cities in the Summer of 2022.

Close:	31st December 2021 enter now!
News:	Shortlist January 2022
Prize:	Prizes: £1,500 (Each artist commissioned by the Jury will be awarded £1,500 on installation of their Globe and a £150 materials budget. After the Globe charity auction in December 2022, artists will receive 10% of net profit raised by their Globe at auction. The remaining will go to charitable racial equity causes)
Show:	10 globe sculptures will feature in trails in Birmingham, Leeds, London, Swansea, Bristol.
What:	Paint, photography, drawing, mosaic, sculpture and collage
Who:	UK based visual artists
Fees:	No Entry Fee
Site:	Enter here

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Derwent Art Prize

An annual prize totalling £12,500 showcasing the best 2D & 3D artworks created in pencil or coloured pencil, water soluble, pastel, graphite or charcoal.

Close:	4th January 2022 enter now!
News:	Shortlist 17th January 2022
Prize:	First Prize: £4,000(plus up to £600 of Derwent products) Second Prize: £2,000 Young Artist First Prize: £4,000(25 years and under) Young Artist Second Prize: £2,000 People's Choice Award: £500
Show:	Gallery@Oxo, London (24 Feb – 6 Mar 2022)
What:	2D & 3D artworks created in pencil or coloured pencil as well as water soluble, pastel, graphite and charcoal.
Who:	UK & International artists (over 18)
Fees:	£15 for first work (£5 for each additional entry, maximum 6)
Site:	Enter here

AIR Gallery – Expanded Painting

An open exhibition with a focus on painting cross-overs with other creative mediums and works that push the boundaries of painting.

Close:	5th January 2022 enter now!
News:	Shortlist: 12th January
Prize:	Prizes: TBA  (total prize fund to be confirmed after deadline has closed)
Show:	AIR Gallery, Altrincham (Feb – Mar 2022)
What:	Any media
Who:	UK & International artists
Fees:	£5 per work (max 3)
Site:	Enter here

Royal Watercolour Society Open

An annual competition encouraging 'innovation and experimentation in all water-based media' for cash prizes and art materials.

Close:	10th January 2022 enter now!
News:	Shortlist 31st January 2022
Prize:	First Prize: £1000 Daler Rowney Art Materials Prize: £800 value(two watercolour art materials bundles to the value of £800) Cass Art Solo Show Award: £800 value(solo exhibition in an Art Space at Cass Art) RWS Award: £250 New Graduate Award: £250 Insight School of Art Prize: £250 Cotswold Mounts Prize: £125
Show:	Bankside Gallery, London (4-20 March 2022)
What:	Water based media
Who:	UK & International artists
Fees:	£15 per work, discounts for 3-6, £6 for students, free for members (max 6)
Site:	Enter here

VAA Professional Artist Award

The inaugural award returns with a prize fund value of £5000. Open to Premium Members of VAA only (£9.99 per month).

Close:	17th January 2022 enter now!
News:	Shortlist date TBA
Prize:	1st Prize: £1,000  (Art Supplies, 121 coaching session on Artists' Guide to Success, 1 x Momentum Programme to accelerate your career, 12 month Mentorship Programme. Online solo Exhibition & Lifetime membership to the VAA.) 5 Highly Commended: (prizes include: Certificate, 121 Strategy session, 6 weeks Momentum Programme)
Show:	Online solo exhibition for winner
What:	Any media
Who:	UK and international artists
Fees:	Free to premium members of the VAA (£9.99 a month)
Site:	Enter here

The John Byrne Award

On a mission to become the largest and most inclusive arts competition in Scotland rewarding creativity and curiosity with quarterly and annual awards.

Close:	January 2022 enter now!
News:	Shortlist Announced February 2022
Prize:	Annual Prize: £7,500 (quarterly entries are automatically entered for annual award in January) Quarterly Prize: £500 (quarterly prizes of £500 in April, July, and October)
Theme:	Encourage the questioning and development of values appropriate to our modern age.
What:	All disciplines from visual art to written work, film & musical composition.
Who:	Scottish based artists (over 16)
Site:	Enter here

RSA Annual Exhibition 2022

Now in its 196th year this Edinburgh exhibition has evolved over the years, showcasing Scottish art alongside invited international artists.

Close:	6th February 2022 enter now!
News:	Shortlist: 9th March 2022
Prize:	Highland Society of London Award: £500(TBA) SABA Award: £300(TBA) Scottish Gallery Awards: £250(TBA) And several other prizes based on 2020 awards
Show:	Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh (23 Apr – 12 Jun 2022)
What:	All media (Works must be for sale, 40% commission charge + VAT)
Who:	UK & International artists (able to drop off chosen work in Edinburgh)
Fees:	£20 per work, £10 students (max 2)
Site:	Enter here

Portrait Artist of the Year Series 9

If you're game for taking part in the biennial portrait painting series on Sky Arts then filming takes place at Battersea Arts Centre a year before broadcast.

Close:	11th February 2022 enter now!
Date:	Filming will take place at Battersea Arts Centre in March and April 2022.
Prize:	First Prize Commission: £10,000  (plus £500 art materials from Cass Art)
What:	Any material excluding photography, video, sculpture and digital media.
Who:	UK Residents  (for at least a year, over 16)
Fees:	No Entry Fee (1 maximum)
Site:	Enter here

BBA Artist Prize 2022

Not based in the UK but it's a great opportunity to exhibit in the fantastic city of Berlin during one of the biggest events for contemporary art in Germany.

Close:	28th February 2022 enter now!
Date:	Early bird deadline: Monday, 17 January 2022. ShortNews: By end of March 2022.
Prize:	First Prize: €1,000(Solo show at BBA Gallery in 2023) Second Prize: €750(Artsy profile + online solo show) Third Prize: €500(Artsy profile + online solo show) Audience Award: €500(Artsy profile + online solo show)
Show:	BBA Gallery, Berlin(20 shortlisted artists selected for group show in April 2022)
What:	Any medium including sculpture and original prints.
Who:	UK and international artists (18+)
Fees:	€29 before 18th Jan, €39 thereafter (max 5 artworks)
Site:	Enter here

Contextile 2022 – Contemporary Textile Art Biennial

Call for international textile artists for exhibition that will occupy the various cultural spaces and public areas of Guimaraes, Portugal.

Close:	5th March 2022 enter now!
News:	Shortlist April 12th 2022
Prize:	Acquisition Prize: €6,000 Further prizes: €2,500 (ATP Acquisition prize and ASM Acquisition prize)
Theme:	Re-make. How can we re-make? Read more on the concept here
Show:	Guimaraes, Portugal(50 artists selected for exhibition, 3 Sep – 30 Oct 2022)
What:	Textile artwork (300 x 300cm max for 2D work, 200 x 200 x 200cm max for 3D work)
Who:	UK & International artists (18+)
Fees:	No Entry Fee (1 maximum)
Site:	Enter here

Stevens Competition 2022

The Architectural Glass Artist of the Year award requires entrants to design a window for All Saints Church in the village of Dunsden.

Close:	31st March 2022 enter now!
News:	Shotlist date TBA
Prize:	First Prize: £2,000(design & craftmanship) Second Prize: £1,200(design & craftmanship) Design Only First Prize: £600 Design Only Runner Up: £300 Young Designer Award: £500(ages 16-24) Highly Commended: £300 Crafrtmanship Prize: £300
Show:	The Stained Glass Museum, Ely (Jun-Jul 2022)
What:	Create a striking contemporary artwork at All Saints Church, Dunsden. The existing single light window with lancet top is 53cm wide x 272cm high.
Who:	UK and international emerging artists, students and apprentices who have commenced their vocation in glass during or after September 2014
Fees:	None (Frame required for exhibition is £15)
Site:	Enter here

Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year

Filmed in stunning locations around the UK, Landscape Artist of the Year offers artists the chance to win a £10,000 commission for a major British institution.

Close:	14th April 2022 enter now!
News:	Shortlist May 2022
Prize:	First Prize Commission: £10,000(plus £500 art materials from Cass Art)
Film:	Series 8 filming begins June 2022
What:	Landscape painting in any material excluding photography, video, sculpture and digital media.
Who:	UK Residents (for at least 1 year, over 16)
Fees:	No Entry Fee (1 maximum)
Site:	Enter here

Sunny Art Prize

A unique opportunity to win cash prizes, a solo show at a London gallery and a one month residency in China! A truly international art competition.

Close:	30th June 2022 enter now!
News:	Shortlist: between 14-18 Sep 2022
Prize:	First Prize: £3,000+ London solo show, China residency, group shows Second Prize: £2000+ China residency, London/China group shows Third Prize: £1000+ China residency, London/China group shows
Show:	Sunny Art Centre, London(1-31 Oct 2022)
Theme:	"Winners of previous editions did so by raising awareness of global issues and themes ranging from climate change, the current international debate regarding immigration and refugees to our perception of identity, gender, and much more."
What:	Any media (Max 2D: 120 x 120 cm. Max 3D: 80 x 80 x 80 cm)
Who:	UK & International artists (18+)
Fees:	1 work: £25, 2 works: £32, 3 works: £40, 4 works: £45
Site:	Enter here

Currently Closed

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The following art competitions are closed for entries. They're moved up to the open list when their call for entries goes out.

Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours

One of the longest standing UK art prizes at over 200 years old! Celebrates the best in contemporary watercolour and watermedia painting.

Close:	28th January 2022 opens 29th Nov
News:	Shortlist 4th February 2022
Prize:	Winsor & Newton Award: £3,000 Winsor & Newton Product Prize: £1,000(worth of art materials) Leathersellers' Prize: £1,000(for artists aged 18 to 30) President's Choice Award: £750 Baohong Artists' Watercolour Paper Prizes: £250(2 x £250 prizes) Cass Art Prize: £250(for the most innovative use of colour) Chaoshan Watercolour Award: £250(for the best classically inspired watercolour)
Show:	Mall Galleries, London (April 2022)
What:	Watercolour or water-soluble mediums including watercolour, acrylic, ink or gouache (excluding water-soluble oils) painted on paper or paper based support.
Who:	UK & International artists(over 18)
Fees:	£18 per work, £12 if under 35 (max 3)
Site:	Enter here

Wildlife Artist of the Year

Established in 2008 the awards has raised more than £1.2m to fund David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation and celebrate our planet's wildlife.

Close:	31st March 2022 opens 6th Jan
News:	Shortlist date TBA
Prize:	First Prize: £10,000  (£5,000 cash prize and £5,000 conservation voucher to be donated in the winner's name to a DSWF species of their choice) Runner Up: £2,000 Category Winners: £500  (Several £500 awards across various categories)
Show:	Mall Galleries, London (September 2022)
What:	Any medium excluding photography, film and digitally created images.
Who:	UK & International artists (over 17, Human Impact Category for ages 16-22)
Fees:	£25 (£15 for further entries & Human Impact category, no limit on entries.)
Site:	Visit Website

RA Summer Exhibition 2022

The largest open-submission art exhibition in the world. Limited to 16,500 total entries (yep, they all fill up!) and a prize fund of £73,000 (based on 2020 prizes).

Close:	TBA opens 17th January
News:	Shortlist Up to be 4,000 entries will be shortlisted, announced by email
Prize:	(2021 prizes to be announced, 2020 prizes below) Charles Wollaston Award: £25,000 Jack Goldhill Award for Sculpture: £10,000 Jerwood London Original Print Fair Prize: £10,000 British Institution Awards for Students: £5,000 + £3,000 Hugh Casson Drawing Prize: £5,000
Show:	Royal Academy, London (Sep 2022 – Jan 2023)
What:	Any media.
Who:	UK & International artists(over 18)
Fees:	£35 per entry(2 maximum)
Site:	Enter here

Alpine Fellowship Visual Arts Prize

A group of writers, thinkers and artists who are passionate about learning and communicating with a view to better understanding themselves and others.

Close:	TBA opens in January 2022
News:	Shortlist TBA
Prize:	First Prize: £2,000(plus £1,000 towards travel and installation)
Theme:	"Untamed – on wilderness and civilisation"
What:	All visual media
Who:	UK and International artists (over 18)
Fees:	No Entry Fee (one entry per person)
Site:	Enter here

Woon Foundation Painting & Sculpture Prize

Open to all UK undergraduate Fine Art students graduating in summer 2021. Partnership between Northumbria University and BALTIC Art Centre.

Close:	TBA opens February 2022
News:	Shortlist TBC
Prize:	First Prize: £20,000 (bursary for year-long residency, solo show & mentor) Second Prize: £9,000 Third Prize: £6,000
Show:	Northumbria University GalleriesTBC
What:	Painting and sculpture
Who:	UK undergraduate Fine Art students in their final year of study
Fees:	No Entry Fee
Site:	Enter here

Holly Bush Emerging Woman Painter Prize

National prize aimed at supporting, encouraging and mentoring emerging women painters culminating in a London exhibition for 22 finalists.

Close:	1st May 2022 opens 1st February 2022
News:	Shortlist 22 finalists, Dates TBA
Prize:	First Prize: £1,500(plus solo show at Art Space, Islington in 2023 & Zebra One Gallery, Hampstead.) Tim May Memorial prize: £1,500 2nd Runner Up prize: £500 Cass Art Prize: £250(Cass Art Vouchers)
Show:	Burgh House, London(TBA)
What:	Paintings in watercolour, oil, pastel or acrylic.(Max size: 60cm wide x 130cm. Max sale price: £850 inc. 38% commission)
Who:	Any female artist living and working in the UK (18+)
Fees:	£15(allows up to 2 artworks)
Site:	Enter here

Chaiya Art Awards

What does the phrase 'God is…" mean to you? Impress the judges and you could be answering with "…giving me an award of £10,000." Here's hoping…

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Shortlist TBC
Prize:	First Prize: £10000 Public Choice: £1000
Show:	Oxo Tower Wharf, London (TBC)
Theme:	"God is…"
What:	Any media
Who:	UK residents (16+)
Fees:	Early bird: (TBC) 1 work: £15, 2 works: £25, 3 works: £35. Standard: 1 work: £20, 2 works: £35, 3 works: £50. Concessions: £10 per entry.
Site:	Enter here

The Signature Art Prize

Open to art students currently studying and recent graduates from an arts-based degree within the last 3 years.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Shortlist TBA
Prize:	Prizes: 4 Category Winners(TBA) & People's Choice Award
Show:	Bankside Hotel, LondonTBA
What:	Painting, Sculpture, Photography & Film, Drawing & Printmaking
Who:	UK and International artists (current art students and graduates from 2017 onwards)
Fees:	No Entry Fee(max: 1 artwork)
Site:	Enter here

The Viking Cruises British Art Prize

New art competition from the people that bring you Artists & Illustrators with a prize fund value of over £10,000 and London exhibition.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Shortlist TBA
Prize:	First Prize: £2,000(plus feature in Artists & Illustrators, a solo exhibition with Panter & Hall, and a Viking river cruise worth £7,000, which visits Lyon, Provence and Arles, following in the footsteps of Van Gogh.) Second Prize: £1,750(plus £250 voucher from Rosemary & Co) People's Choice Award: £1,000(art materials voucher from Zieler) Third Prize: £250(voucher from Rosemary & Co)
Show:	At leading London gallery (Dates TBA)
What:	Any medium
Who:	UK based artists
Fees:	£15 for 1st artwork (£12 per additional artwork, free for Portfolio Plus members)
Site:	Enter here

Dare Art Prize

Challenging artists and scientists to collaborate on new approaches to the creative process, awarded by the University of Leeds and Opera North.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Shortlist TBA
Prize:	First Prize: £15,000 (£10,000 bursary, £5,000 for resources)
Residency:	The Tetley, Leeds (September 2021)
What:	Any artform or channel – a performance, a poem, an interactive website or a song cycle for example.
Who:	UK based artists
Fees:	No entry fee (submit 500 word proposal)
Site:	Enter here

FISAE International Exlibris Congress Exhibition

Biennial exhibition focusing on small printed graphics suitable for use in books to declare ownership. More info in this 'Illustration' magazine feature.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Shortlist TBA
Prize:	First Prize: £1,250 Second Prize: £750 Third Prize: £500 Extra Prizes of £500 1) Artist under 35 years of age. 2) Art student resident in UK or Republic of Ireland. 3) Art student resident in Australia, New Zealand or Canada.
Show:	Royal National Hotel, Bloomsbury (TBA)
What:	Engraving, Etching, CGT and more
Who:	UK and International artists
Fees:	No Entry Fee
Site:	Enter here

John Ruskin Prize

Organised by the fine people at The Big Draw and Guild of St. George this biennale prize aims to uphold the beliefs of the critic John Ruskin.

Close:	TBA opens Feb 2022
News:	Shortlist TBA
Prize:	First Prize: 3,000 Second Prize: £2,000 Student Prize: £1,000
Show:	Millennium Gallery, Sheffield (TBA)
What:	Architectural Glass
Who:	UK based artists.
Fees:	£12 for 1 artwork (£15 for 2 artworks and £20 for 3 artworks with reduced fees for students)
Site:	Enter here

Royal Society Of Portrait Painters Award

Annual exhibition at the Mall Galleries in Central London will bring together over 200 portraits competing for a share of the £43,000 prize fund.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Shortlist February 2022
Prize:	William Lock Prize: £20,000(most timeless portrait with a real feeling for paint and its aesthetic potential) Ondaatje Prize: £10,000(most distinguished portrait in exhibition) The de Laszlo Foundation Award: £3000(best portrait by artist 35 and under) Prince of Wales Award: £2000(for portrait drawing) RP Prize: £2000(for best small portrait 15″ x 12″ max) Burke's Peerage Foundation Award: £2000(classically inspired portraiture) Contemporary Arts Trust Award: £1000(most deserving artist) Smallwood Architects Prize: £1000(architectural or interior features play important part)
Show:	Mall Galleries, London (May 2022)
What:	Paintings, drawings and original prints (excluding sculpture and photography)
Who:	UK & International artists (over 18)
Fees:	£20 per work, £14 if under 35 (max 3)
Site:	Enter here

Ashurst Emerging Artist Prize 2022

Entering its eighth year, with an increased prize fund of £10,000, the Ashurst Prize is open to artists working across all genres, styles and backgrounds.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Shortlist March 2022
Prize:	First Prize: £3,000 (plus £500 Cass Art voucher) Sculpture Award: £1,750 (plus £250 Cass Art voucher) Choice Award: £1,500 (plus £250 Cass Art voucher) Photography Award: £1,500 (voucher from Genesis Imaging & £500 cash) New Media Art Award: £1,500 (cash prize) Emerging Artist: £1,250 (plus £250 Cass Art voucher) Exhibitions: 3 month shows in London Group Show: for Shortlisted Artists, Sep-Dec 2021
Show:	Ashurst London HQ (TBA)
What:	Any medium
Who:	UK & International artists (no age restrictions)
Fees:	£20 for 1st artwork (£10 per additional artwork, max 5.)
Site:	Enter here

World Illustration Awards 2022

The World Illustration Awards has ten categories from Exploration to Editorial, Site Specific to Science & Technology, Book Covers to Children's Publishing.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Shortlist May 2022
Prize:	First Prize: £2,000(plus two-page marketing package in the Directory of Illustration) New Talent Winner: £1,000
Show:	Elephant West, London (October 2022)
What:	Any medium.
Who:	Current student, recent graduate or professional illustrator based anywhere in the world (over 18)
Fees:	£29 for one entry (up to 5 images for £49)
Site:	Enter here

Broohmill National Sculpture Prize

With a prize fund of £40,000 this an exciting challenge for 10 new and emerging UK based sculptors to propose new works for Broomhill Sculpture Gardens.

Close:	TBA currently closed
Proposal:	March 2022
News:	Shortlist April 2022
Prize:	Judges Prize: £15,000(£10,000 plus £5,000 investment to create a further work of art. Both pieces will become part of the permanent collection at the Broomhill Estate.) People's Choice Award: £5,000 Finalists: £2,500(10 x £2,500 prizes to create proposed sculptures)
Show:	Broomhill Sculpture Gardens, North Devon (Summer 2022)
Theme:	TBA
What:	Sculpture
Who:	UK based artists (amateur and emerging UK-based sculptors)
Fees:	No entry fee (maximum of one sculpture proposal)
Site:	Enter here

Stone Lane Garden Sculpture Prize

Annual sculpture exhibition on the theme of 'regeneration' from early career sculptors based in or connected to the South West of England.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	TBA
Prize:	First prize: £1,000
Show:	Stone Lane Gardens, Chagford, Devon(1st June – 31st Oct 2022)
Theme:	TBA
Who:	Young/emerging/early career sculptors based in or connected to the South West of England.
Fees:	No Entry Fee
Site:	Enter here

Jackson's Painting Prize

Open to artists of all ages this brilliantly run art competition showcases original, 2-dimensional fine art works in any painting or drawing media.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	2021 submissions: 1 Dec 2020 – 2 Mar 2021
Prize:	Overall Winner: £6,000 Emerging Artist Award: £1,000 People's Choice Award: £500(Jackson's voucher) Outstanding Watercolour Award: £500(Jackson's Art voucher) Six Category Awards: £500(Animal | Portrait/Figure | Landscape/Cityscape/Seascape | Still Life/Botanical | Abstract/Non-representational | Scenes of Everyday Life)
Show:	Affordable Art Fair, Hampstead (TBA)
What:	Any 2D painting or drawing media.
Who:	UK & International artists(any age)
Fees:	£5 per work(max 5)
Site:	Enter here

Contemporary Printmaking Prize

Fen Ditton Gallery launches its second open submission exhibition for contemporary printmakers in the UK. Free to enter.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	TBA
Prize:	First Prize: £500
Show:	Fen Ditton Gallery, Cambridge(TBA)
What:	Printmaking: An original print created within the last 3 years.
Who:	UK based artists(over 18)
Fees:	No entry fee(max 1 artwork)
Site:	Enter here

Society of Graphic Fine Art

99th Annual Open Exhibition in London from the Society of Graphic Fine Art with an emphasis on good drawing and draughtsmanship.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	TBA
Prize:	Prize Fund: £2,000+(prizes and amounts to be confirmed)
Show:	Mall Galleries, London (July 2022)
What:	Pencil, pen, brush, charcoal, conté or any of the forms of original printmaking, as well as any original artwork including paintings, which demonstrate evidence of drawing by hand.
Who:	UK & International artists (over 18)
Fees:	£18 per artwork up to 5 artworks. (£15 per artwork for affiliates)
Site:	Enter here

Templar Illustration and Design Awards

Celebrating new talent in children's book illustration and design – looking for bold, innovative art and design for books for children and younger people.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	TBA
Prize:	First Prize: £750 (prizes in each category) Second Prize: £500 Third Prize: £250
Theme:	See website for specific briefs for Fiction, Non-Fiction and Picture Books.
What:	300dpi digital file (jpegs or PDFs).
Who:	Open to unpublished illustrators over the age of 18, resident in any country. Entrants are entitled to one entry per category.
Fees:	No fee
Site:	Enter here

Jerwood/FVU Awards

A major opportunity for two UK-based moving-image artists in the first five years of developing their professional practice.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	TBA
Prize:	First Prize: £25,000(2 prizes of £25,000 each, comprising £6,000 artist fee and £19,000 production budget)
Show:	Leeds Art GalleryTBA and Jerwood Arts, LondonTBC
What:	Moving-image.
Who:	UK based artists or collaborative groups within five years of beginning their professional artistic practice.
Fees:	No Entry Fee
Site:	Enter here

Deutsche Bank Awards

£60,000 prize fund & £100,000 of business support for five 18-30 year olds seeking to make positive social impact through creative enterprise.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	TBA
Prize:	First Prize: up to £20,000(£60,000 shared among 5 winners + 12 months business support)
What:	Any media.
Who:	UK residents age 18-30, full criteria here.
Fees:	No entry fee
Site:	Enter here

Mark Tanner Sculpture Award

An £8,000 prize awaits an "exceptional emerging sculptor" towards the production of new work and a solo exhibition in London.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Shortlist TBA
Prize:	First Prize: £8,000
Show:	Standpoint Gallery, London (TBA)
What:	Sculpture
Who:	UK based artists (excluding BA and MA students)
Fees:	£14
Site:	Enter here

London Art Biennale

Around 400 artists will be selected for the 5th edition of the London Art Biennale with a £10,000 prize fund and group exhibition awards in London and Italy.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Shortlist TBA
Prize:	1st Prize: £5,000 Painting Award: £1,500 Sculpture/Installation Award: £1,500 Works on Paper Award: £1,500 Digital/Video Award: £1,500 Arts Club Chianciano Award:(5 artists to get week-long art retreat in Tuscany in June 2022) Gagliardi Gallery Award:(25 artists to get 10-day exhibition at Gagliardi Gallery, London) Art Museum of Chianciano Terme Award:(25 artists to get month-long group show in Terme, Italy) City of Art Award:(25 artists to get a month-long group show in Tuscany, Italy)
Show:	Chelsea Old Town Hall, London (TBA)
What:	Painting, works on paper, sculpture, applied arts and digital art.
Who:	UK & International artists
Fees:	£36 per work (max 3)
Site:	Enter here

Postcards from the Trafalgar Way

Create an artwork based on a feature on the historic Trafalgar Way route. £10,000 of prizes is spread across 3 age categories from 7-11, 12-16 and 17-adult.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Shortlist TBA
Prize:	1st Prize (age 17-adult): 2 x £1,000 1st Prize (age 12-16): 2 x £500 1st Prize (age 7-11): 2 x £250 Schools Prize (age 7-11): £250 Peter Warwick Memorial Trophy: £1,000 (for current or past serving member of the Royal Navy or Royal Marines) John Richards Lapenotiere Trophy: £500 (for resident in one of the 8 counties of The Trafalgar Way) Full list of prizes and details
Show:	A touring exhibition will take place in 2021
Theme:	Take a stunning photograph or create a two-dimensional artwork of a scene along The Trafalgar Way.
What:	Any kind of two-dimensional art, including digital art (size range from A6 to A1)
Who:	UK based artists (7+)
Fees:	Ages under 17 – free, 17 to adult – £5 (no limit on entries)
Site:	Enter here

New English Art Club Annual Exhibition

Annual exhibition celebrating figurative, observational and painterly work with a strong emphasis on drawing.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Shortlist May 2022
Prize:	Doreen McIntosh Prize: £5,000(for work showing rigour, visual engagement & searching attitude) Chris Beetles Prize: £2,500(for figurative art) Hermione Hammond Award: £2,000(for drawing by an artist aged 35 or under) Bowyer Drawing Prize: £1,000 Winsor & Newton Award: £500(of art materials) Peter Ashley Framing Prize: £500(bespoke handmade picture frame will be created for the winning work, to the value of £500)
Show:	Mall Galleries, London (Jun 2022)
What:	Paintings, drawings, pastels, original framed prints (excluding photography and sculpture).
Who:	UK & International artists (over 18)
Fees:	£20 per work, £14 if under 35 (max 6)
Site:	Enter here

Concord Art Prize

Newly launched annual art prize encouraging artists to create new work inspired by music from a selection of 10 tracks. Free to enter, £10,000 first prize.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Shortlist By end of May 2022
Prize:	First Prize: £10,000 Bursaries: £1,000 (10 finalists will receive £1,000 each to create their artwork)
Show:	Concord Head Office, London (2022, dates TBA)
Theme:	Choose the song that inspires you the most from the 10 selected on website and submit a proposal for your artwork.
What:	Painting, sculpture, installation, video and photography. (works must not exceed 2m in heaight)
Who:	UK based artists
Fees:	Free to enter
Site:	Enter here

Distributed Design Awards

Open to anyone working in the creative disciplines across Europe, looking for innovative and sustainably designed projects.

Close:	TBA ecurrently closed
News:	Shortlist May 2022
Prize:	Project Excellence: €2,000(project funding) Future Thinking Winner:SPACE10 mentorship Responsible Design Winner:IDEO U Designing a Business course Open & Adaptable Design winner:Index Project mentorship People's Choice winner:Craftbot Flow 3D printer
What:	Open to all creative projects at the intersection of the maker movement and digital design. Must reflect some of the aspects of at least two of the four principles of distributed design: valuable, distributable, reproducible and design sensitive.
Who:	EU based designers or countries that participate in the Creative Europe Programme.
Fees:	Free to enter
Site:	Enter here

Art Gemini Prize

With a prize fund over £4,000 the Art Gemini Prize promotes international contemporary art for emerging and established artists since 2014.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Shortlist June 2022
Prize:	Painting Prize: £2,000 Photography Prize: £1,000 Sculpture Prize: £500(plus £300 voucher) Young Artist Prize: £250(17 and under) Public Choice Prize: £250
Show:	Exhibitionist Hotel, London(Sep 2022)
What:	Any genres of 2D and 3D art(excluding installation and video)
Who:	UK & International artists
Fees:	1 work: £18, 3 works: £36, 6 works: £60, 8 works: £70 (free for ages 17 and under)
Site:	Enter here

FLAMIN Fellowship

Annual award to support England based moving image artists at the early stages of their career to develop new projects.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Shortlist May 2022
Prize:	Awards: £2,500(six fellowship awards of £2,500 each)
What:	Artists working with moving image, with an innovative and boundary-pushing approach to the medium.
Who:	Artists resident in England with a professional artistic practice outside of higher education for at least 2 years, but no more than 7 (higher education not a pre-requisite).
Fees:	No entry fee
Site:	Enter here

Hampstead Art Society

Enter your work for a chance to exhibit at London's Fitzrovia Gallery. All work must be for sale, price should include a commission of 25% if sold.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Shortlist June 2022
Prize:	1st Prize: £1,500(£1,500 cash prize, art materials, and a week-long painting workshop)
Show:	Fitzrovia Gallery, Bloomsbury, London (5-11 July 2021)
What:	Oil, acrylic, watercolour, original prints of any media, mixed media, drawings, pastels, or sculpture.
Who:	UK & International artists(over 18)
Fees:	£10 per work(max 5)
Site:	Enter here

Doncaster Art Fair Competition

Free to enter competition focusing on art and mental health, 10 finalists will be selected by public vote & 10 by curators for an online exhibition.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Shortlist TBC
Prize:	First Prize: £400 Second Prize: £300 Third Prize: £200 Finalist Prizes: £50(20 selected finalists will receive £50 each and £10 participation fee refunded) Further Prizes: £50(£50 each for 6 selected artists who will share how their work is a response to mental health in group Zoom session.)
Show:	TBC
Theme:	"Art as a Response to Mental Health 2021"
What:	Any medium
Who:	UK & International artists
Fees:	Free to enter(up to 2 artworks, longlisted artists will be charged a £10 exhibition fee)
Site:	Enter here

The WAC Awards

Established by a group of artists in South-West England in 2012, the Wells Art Contemporary Awards are open to UK and international artists.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Shortlist TBA
Prize:	Howden Art Award: £2,000
Show:	Wells Cathedral, Somerset (Aug 2022)
What:	any medium – painting, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, photography, installation or video.
Who:	UK & international artists (18+)
Fees:	£15 per work (4 max, £12 for students)
Site:	Enter here

Figurative Art Now

The Federation of British Artists hosts a selling exhibition and art prize for the broadest range of work that has any form of figuration.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Shortlist June 2022
Prize:	Figurative Art Prize: £5,000
Show:	TBA
What:	Work must be figurative, can be created in a variety of media from painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking and illustration.
Who:	UK based artists.
Fees:	1 work: £15, 2 works: £25, 3 works: £35, 4 works: £45 (Under 35s: 1 work: £10, 2 works: £15, 3 works: £20, 4 works: £25)
Site:	Enter here

The Lumen Prize

Lumen Art Projects, a not-for-profit based in Wales, celebrates art created with technology through a global competition.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Shortlist July 2022
Prize:	Gold Prize: 2 x $4,000 Moving Image Award: $1,000 Still Image Award: $1,000 3D/Interactive Award: $1,000 Immersive Environment Award: $1,000 A.I. Futures Award: $1,000 Global South Award: $1,000 Nordic Award: $1,000 Student Award: $500
What:	All art is eligible as long as it engages with technology in some form.
Who:	UK & International artists.
Fees:	$38.00 for two works.
Site:	Enter here

Cerco International Contemporary Ceramics Award

Promoting contemporary ceramics since 2001, the Cerco Prize is open to contemporary artists from around the world of any age, emerging or established.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Shortlist TBC
Prize:	First Prize: €6,000
Show:	Asociación Profesional de Artesanos de Aragón, Zaragoza, Spain
What:	Any subject matter using ceramics as a medium. Dimensions may not exceed 2m. along their longest side, or 1m3 total volume, and none of them may weigh more than 50 kg each.
Who:	UK & International artists
Fees:	No Entry Fee (3 entries max.)
Site:	Enter here

Visual Art Open

A not for profit event open to all artists and age groups with a prize fund of £8,000 and the opportunity to exhibit at Chester Arts Fair.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Shortlist August 2022
Prize:	First Prize: £1,000(plus mentoring package & Chester Arts Fair stand worth £1,000) Category Winners: £250(Painting/Mixed Media/Printmaking, Illustration/Drawing, Sculpture, Photography/Digital Art, Young Artist 16-24)
Show:	Chester Arts Fair, Chester (Nov 2022)
What:	Drawing, printing, painting, photography, digital art, sculpture and video
Who:	UK & International artists (over 18)
Fees:	£20 for 1 artwork (+£10 per additional artwork, 5 works maximum, £5 discount for under 24s)
Site:	Enter here

Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize

Founded in 1994 as the the Rexel Derwent Open then Jerwood Drawing Prize. Holds the largest prize fund celebrating drawing practice in the UK.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Shortlist TBC
Prize:	First Prize: £8,000 Second Prize: £5,000 Student Prize: £2,000 Evelyn Williams Drawing Award: £10,000(to artist with significant track record to develop new drawings for solo exhibition, students not eligible) Working Drawing Prize: £2,000(separate entry for drawings from which something else can or will be made)
Show:	Trinity Buoy Wharf, London (TBC)
What:	Any media considered as drawing
Who:	UK based artists
Fees:	1 work: £20, 2 works: £30, 3 works: £40 (students £15/£20/£25)
Site:	Enter here

Society of Women Artists Open Exhibition

The 161st Annual Open Exhibition celebrating women artists takes place at the Mall Galleries, London.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Shortlist TBA
Prize:	Tom Urwin Fine Art Award: £1,500 Karin Walker Young Artist Awards: £500(£500 each for two artists aged 35 or under) Derwent Special Fine Art Awards: £500(£500 of art materials for an under 35 and established artist) Great Art Awar: £250(of art materials for two artists) Jackson's People's Choice Award: £150(of art materials)
Show:	TBC.
What:	painting, pastels, drawing, mixed media, sculpture, in all media; engraving, lithography, and ceramics, glass and metal not of a utilitarian nature.
Who:	UK & International artists (over 18)
Fees:	£8 per work, £6 if under 35 (max 6)
Site:	Enter here

Sir John Hurt Art Prize

Established in 2012 this award and exhibition for artists in the east of England and beyond is part of the thriving Holt Festival in North Norfolk.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Shortlist TBA
Prize:	First Prize: £2,000 Sworders Art Prize: £750 (ages 19-23) Sworders Art Prize: £500 (ages 16-18)
Show:	Adrian Hill Fine Art, Holt (Summer 2022)
What:	Any media.
Who:	UK based artists
Fees:	£14 for one image, £25 for two, £35 for three
Site:	Enter here

The RSA Morton Award

Monetary award to research, develop and produce a new body of work in a lens-based medium with an exhibition at the Royal Scottish Academy.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Shortlist TBA
Prize:	First Prize: £5,000
Show:	Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh (2023 dates TBC)
What:	Digital & analogue photography, film and video.
Who:	Artists must have been born in Scotland or have studied at a Scottish art school or have been resident in Scotland for at least 3 years. (undergraduate or postgraduate students not eligible)
Fees:	No entry fee
Site:	Enter here

The RSA William Littlejohn Award

Monetary award to research, develop and produce a new body of work in a water-based medium with an exhibition at the Royal Scottish Academy.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Shortlist TBA
Prize:	First Prize: £2,000
Show:	Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh (2023 dates TBC)
What:	Any water-based medium.
Who:	Artists must have been born in Scotland or have studied at a Scottish art school or have been resident in Scotland for at least 3 years. (undergraduate or postgraduate students not eligible)
Fees:	No entry fee
Site:	Enter here

North East Open Call

Group show for North East based artists as part of the Middlesbrough Art Weekender on the theme of 'Infra-structure'.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Shortlist TBA
Prize:	Artist Fee: £500(for each artist selected for group exhibition)
Show:	Exact venue in Middlesbrough TBC(Dates TBC)
What:	Any media
Theme:	Infra-structure – visible and invisible, above and below, hard and soft.
Who:	Artists based in the North East of England or who have a connection to the area.
Fees:	No Entry Fee(3 entries max.)
Site:	Enter here

Artists' Collecting Society Studio Prize

Founded in 2006 the ACS Studio Prize offers artists starting their career the chance to win £4,500 towards the cost of an artist's studio in the UK.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Shortlist TBA
Prize:	First Prize: £4,500(towards UK art studio costs)
What:	Pictures, collage, painting, sculpture, tapestry, ceramics, glassware or photography
Brief:	Supporting statement of 750 – 2,000 words and upload 10-15 images of artwork (no Entry Fee)
Who:	All UK, EU and EEA nationals worldwide. Must be a current undergraduate or postgraduate art student who is about to graduate, or has graduated from a university art course within the last four years.
Site:	Enter here

Anthology Cover Art Award

The winner will receive a €500 cash prize and publication on the cover of – and editorial coverage in – a future Issue of Anthology.

Close:	TBA currently closed
Prize:	First Prize: €500(plus cover and editorial feature, one year subscription)
What:	Painting, printmaking, mixed media, photography and digital media
Who:	UK & International artists
Fees:	€12 per entry before 31st March, €18 after (no limit to entries)
Site:	Enter here

Royal Society of Marine Artists Annual Exhibition

The RSMA seeks submissions of painting and sculpture that involve the sea and the marine environment – anything that involves tidal water.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Shortlist TBA
Prize:	Baltic Exchange Award: £2,000 Charles Pears Award:£500 Kenneth Denton Award:£500 Murray's Commercial Fishing Award:£500 RSMA Award:£300(For best small painting, 30cm and under)
Show:	Mall Galleries, London(Sep – Oct 2022)
What:	Oil, acrylic, watercolour, original prints of any media, mixed media, drawings, pastels, or sculpture.
Who:	UK and international artists(18+)
Fees:	£18 per work, £12 if under 35(max 6 artworks)
Site:	Enter here

D31 Summer Exhibition 2022

Call for entries on the theme of "Our Changing World" to show selected artists online and at the the Doncaster based gallery with a prize fund of £1,000+.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Shortlist TBA
Prize:	First Prize: £500 Second Prize: £250 Third Prize: £100 Member's Prize: £250(gallery artists only)
Show:	D31 Art Gallery, Doncaster(Jul – Sep)
What:	Any medium
Theme:	"Our Changing World"
Who:	UK and international artists
Fees:	No entry fee (£15–£35 exhibition fee depending on number of works selected)
Site:	Enter here

Sustainability First Art Prize

Inviting creative and original responses on the theme "Together for a Fair Climate Future" for online exhibition at Sustainability First.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Shortlist TBA
Prize:	First Prize: £1,000 Second Prize: £500 Third Prize: £300
Show:	Onlne exhibition & awards (TBC)
What:	Any media.
Who:	UK based artists (over 18)
Fees:	Free to enter
Site:	Enter here

Silverlake Sculpture Competition

Silverlake, a country estate in Dorset, launches a sculpture competition with Sculpture by the Lakes to enhance the current landscape and environment.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Shortlist TBA
Prize:	Commission: £25,000(Sculpture costs should not exceed £25,000. The winning design will be co-created with Sculpture by the Lakes, before being unveiled at Silverlake in November 2021.)
Show:	Sculpture By The Lakes, Dorchester (November 2022)
What:	Sculpture should be durable, sustainable and long-lasting. Material to consider include, but are not limited to, stone, resin, steel, metal. Should be at least two metres high and needs to enhance the current landscape and environment.
Fees:	No entry fee
Site:	Enter here

Tabernacle Art Competition

Annual exhibition at MOMA Machynlleth on the theme of 'Love'. 2021's exhibition will be held online with only winner's works displayed at the gallery.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Shortlist TBA
Prize:	Adult 1st Prize: £1,000 Adult 2nd Prize: £600 Adult 3rd Prize: £500 Ages 12-17 Winner: £100 Ages 11 and Under Winner: £50
Show:	Online exhibition. Winning works to be displayed at MOMA Machynlleth(25 Aug – 18 Sep 2021)
Theme:	The theme for the 2021 Tabernacle Art Competition is 'Love'
What:	Any 2D work, including photography. Max size with frame: 36 x 48 inches (914 x 1219 mm)
Who:	UK & International artists(winners must be able to get their work to museum in Aug)
Fees:	Adult entry fee: £10. Under 18 entry fee: £3.(Max 1 work. Purhcase entry in advance here)
Site:	Enter here

SSA Annual Exhibition

The Society of Scottish Artists invites members & non-members to the 124th SSA Annual Exhibition at the Royal Scottish Academy with over 30,000 visitors.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Shortlist TBA
Prize:	Previous prizes below W Gordon Smith Award: £3000 Presidents Prize: £600 Deloitte Prize: £500 Arusha Prize: £500(plus Edinburgh solo show) Several other prizes awarded
Show:	Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh(Nov 2022)
What:	No restrictions on size, discipline or media. More info on installation, proposals & performance submissions
Who:	UK & International artists
Fees:	Non members £15 per work, free for members(max 3 entries). Annual membership fees: Student: £10, Graduate: £20, Artist: £40
Site:	Enter here

Scottish Portrait Awards

Anyone living, studying or born in Scotland can enter these fine art and photography awards with touring shows in Edinburgh, Glasgow & Kirkcudbright.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	TBA (60 finalists: 30 fine artists and 30 photographers)
Prize:	Fine Art First Prize: £5,000 Second Prize: £1,000 Third Prize: £500 Young Fine Artist (16-25): £500 Photography First Prize: £3000 Second Prize: £500 Third Prize: £150 Young Photographer (16-25): £500
Show:	Online Exhibition (TBC) Scottish Arts Club, Edinburgh (TBC) Gracefield Arts Centre, Dumfries (TBC) Glasgow Art Club (TBC)
Theme:	"The subject may involve one or more people and self-portraits are also permitted."
What:	Any 2D/3D media (size restrictions apply: view rules)
Who:	Anyone born, living or studying in Scotland (16+)
Fees:	£10 per work (max 6)
Site:	Enter here

The Spectrum Art Award

Established in 2017 to celebrate the creative excellence of artists on the autistic spectrum (diagnosed or not) with five awards of £5,000 and mentoring.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Shortlist TBA
Prize:	First Prize: £5000(five awards of £5,000 + professional mentoring, curatorial and PR support)
Show:	Saatchi Gallery, London(TBC)
What:	Any media
Brief:	Supporting statement (up to 500 words) and up to digital images (no Entry Fee)
Who:	All UK autistic artists or collaborative groups whether they have an official diagnosis or not (+18)
Site:	Enter here

The Artist Lounge – Artist of The Year Prize

A new annual competition and exhibition from The Artist Lounge with a focus on various categories from Wildlife to Gothic, Pet Portraits to Botanical art.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Shortlist TBA
Prize:	First Prize: £500 Category Winners:(group show at King House Art Gallery, certificate, interview in blog & magazine) Talent Awards:(Under 18s & Over 65s winners get certificate, interview & blog article)
Show:	Online exhibition for 104 shortlisted artists(TBC) Group exhibition for category winners at King House Gallery, Stratford-Upon-Avon(TBC)
What:	Any medium. Categories are: Wildlife, Portrait, Landscape, Abstract, Gothic, Satire/Comedy, Nude, Botanical/Floral, Pet Portrait, Sculpture, Video/Film, Digital Art, Global Theme.
Who:	UK and International artists(ages 12 and over)
Fees:	£8 per entry(no limit on entries)
Site:	Enter here

Society of Wildlife Artists Annual Exhibition

Seeks submissions of works that depict wildlife subjects and evoke the spirit of the natural world, based on 'in the field' observation.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Shortlist TBA
Prize:	Birdwatch and Swarovski Optik Artist of the Year Award: £2,430 value(Swarovski Optik ATS 80 HD spotting scope with 25-50x zoom eyepiece & subscription to BirdGuides/Birdwatch) RSPB Award: £500(worth of art materials) BIRDscapes Award: £700(split between artist and conservation charity of their choice) Larson-Juhl Award: £500(worth of Larson-Juhl materials) Dry Red Press Award:(winning work reproduced as a greetings card)
Show:	Mall Galleries, London (TBA)
What:	Work may be in any medium including painting, sculpture and original prints.
Who:	UK & International artists (over 18)
Fees:	£20 per work, £14 if under 35(All work must be for sale & include commission of 45%+VAT)
Site:	Enter here

The Moth Art Prize

Awarded annually by The Moth arts & literature magazine to a body of figurative or representational artwork.

Close:	TBA opens Spring 2022
News:	TBA
Prize:	First Prize: €1,000
What:	Submit a portfolio of 5–10 2D artworks – to include figurative or representational paintings, drawings (inc. mixed media) and original prints
Who:	UK and International artists (over 16)
Fees:	€18 (per portfolio of 5-10 works)
Site:	Enter here

Women United Art Prize

A contemporary art prize aimed at celebrating global female artists working in 2D format, organized by the inclusive platform Art Mums United.

Close:	TBA opens Summer 2022
News:	TBA
Prize:	Adult 1st Prize: €600(plus online solo exhibition, interviews & 6 months Art Queens membership) Adult 2nd Prize: €400(plus interviews and coaching session) Adult 3rd Prize: €200(plus interviews and coaching session)
Show:	Online exhibition at Art Mums United
What:	Drawings, Paintings, Analog collages, Fiber art
Who:	UK & International women artists(including non-binary and trans creatives. Especially encouraging women artists of color to apply.)
Fees:	€8 per entry(Max 4 artworks)
Site:	Enter here

Contemporary British Painting Prize

Organised by painters, for painters to promote current painting from artists working in the British Isles. Matthew Burrows of @artistsupportpledge a judge.

Close:	TBA opens Summmer 2022
News:	TBA
Prize:	First Prize: £2,000(+ essay on their work by Matthew Burrows MBE, CPB membership & selector in 2022) 12 Shortlisted Artists:(exhibit 3 works each in 2 exhibtions, £100 exhibitor's fee & transport costs)
Show:	Huddersfield Art Gallery new temporary space (TBA) Unit 1 Gallery | Workshop, London (TBA)
What:	Painting. A visual artwork produced using a paint medium such as oil, tempera, acrylic, emulsion, enamel or watercolour which once completed results in a physical object(created after Jan 1st 2019)
Who:	Artists of any nationality presently living and working in the British Isles (over 18)
Fees:	£20 total fee(5 works are asked for to give selectors a better understanding of your work. They will choose a minimum of 3 works from each of the shortlisted artists for exhibition.)
Site:	Enter here

Aesthetica Art Prize

Aesthetica is a British art and culture magazine whose annual prize celebrates excellence in art from across the world for emerging and established artists.

Close:	TBA opens early 2022
TBA
Prize:	Main Prize: £5000(+£250 Cass Art Vouchers, magazine coverage & more) Emerging Prize: £1000(+£150 Cass Art Vouchers, magazine coverage & more)
Show:	York Art Gallery(TBA)
What:	Photographic & Digital Art; Three-Dimensional Design & Sculpture; Painting, Drawing & Mixed Media; & Video, Installation & Performance.
Who:	UK & International artists (18+)
Fees:	£18 (Jan-Feb 2022), £22 (Mar–May), £26 (Jun–Aug), £30 (1-5 Sep)
Site:	Enter here

ING Discerning Eye Exhibition

Two artists, two collectors and two critics choose both publicly submitted works alongside works by invited artists for six mini-exhibitions within the exhibition.

Close:	TBA opens Summer 2022
News:	Shortlist TBA
Prize:	ING Purchase Prize: £5,000 Founder's Purchase Prize: £2,500 Chairman's Purchase Prize: £1,000 Meynell Fenton Prize: £1,000 Humphreys Purchase Prize: £750 DE Original Print Prize: £250 DE Sculpture & 3D Prize: £250 Regional Prizes: £250
Show:	Mall Galleries, London (TBA)
What:	Any 2D/3D media(Max size: 50cm in any direction)
Who:	UK residents only
Fees:	£10 per work(max 6)
Site:	Enter here

International Original Print Exhibition

Established by the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers at the Bankside Gallery to showcase the best in contemporary printmaking across all techniques.

Close:	TBA opens Summer 2022
News:	Shortlist TBA (check website)
Prize:	First Prize: £1,000 Hot Bed Press Award:value£600 Jackson's Award:value£200 Badger Press Award:value£160 Hawthorn Printmaker Supplies Award:value£150 Intaglio Printmaker Prize:value£150 John Purcell Paper Award:value£150
Show:	Bankside Gallery, London (TBA)
What:	Any printmaking technique
Who:	UK & International artists (18 or over on 7 June 2022)
Fees:	£15 per work(max 6, students £8 per work)
Site:	Enter here

Royal Institute of Oil Painters Annual Exhibition

The only national art society devoted exclusively to oil painting. This year's mini-theme is 'Rebirth' – can be interpreted literally or otherwise.

Close:	TBA opens Summer 2022
News:	Shortlist TBA
Prize:	Phyllis Roberts Award: £2,000(for artist 30 or under) Alan Gourley Memorial Award: £1,000(for a painting of outstanding merit) W&N Young Artist Award 1st Prize: £1,000(for artist 30 or under) W&N Young Artist Award 2nd Prize: £600(for artist 30 or under) W&N Young Artist Award 3rd Prize: £400(for artist 30 or under) Stanley Grimm Prizes: £700(£400 & £300 prizes from visitor votes) Tony Merrick Memorial Prize: £250 ROI Emerging Artist Prize: £250(for artist 30 or under)
Show:	Mall Galleries, London (TBA)
What:	Oils. Acrylic and water-soluble oil paint is acceptable if framed as an oil.
Who:	UK & international artists
Fees:	£20 per work(max 6, £14 if under 35)
Site:	Enter here

Royal Miniature Society Annual Exhibition

125th Anniversary Exhibition from The Royal Society of Miniature Painters, Sculptors & Gravers with a prize fund of over £3,000.

Close:	TBA opens Summer 2022
News:	Shortlist TBA
Prize:	1st Prize: £750(and Gold Memorial Bowl) Society's Award: £500(for the best set of five or more works) Bidder and Borne Award: £350(for best work of Sculptors and Gravers art) Young Artists Award: £250(aged 18-30) Arturi Phillips `Connoisseur` Award: £500(for a portrait of any living thing) People's Choice Award: £250 Award for Innovation £500(£500 first prize, plus two prizes of £250 each for runners up) Joan Cornish Willies Award: £250(for Outstanding Traditional Miniature Oil Painting)
Show:	Mall Galleries, London (Dates TBA)
What:	Maximum size limit of 6″ x 4.5″ (15 x 11.5 cm) for paintings/drawings and 8″ (20cm) for sculpture, across the longest length.
Who:	UK & International artists.
Fees:	£15 per work, £12 young artist(Up to 5)
Site:	Enter here

2022 Ingram Prize

The Ingram Collection's annual Purchase Prize Exhibition celebrates the work of graduating artists at the beginning of their careers.

Close:	TBA opens Summer 2022
News:	Shortlist TBA
Prize:	Prizes: 3 entries will be purchased, selected finalists will take part in a group show & invited on 1 week residency. 1 winner to have solo exhibition at The Lightbox gallery, Surrey.
Show:	Unit 1 Gallery, London(Dates TBA)
What:	Any media
Who:	Artists within five years of graduation from a UK-based art school
Fees:	No Entry Fee (max: 2 artworks)
Site:	Enter here

The Football Art Prize

A new art prize celebrating art and football to coincide with the 2022 World cup year with exhibitions at Touchstones Rochdale, Sheffield & Sunderland.

Close:	TBA opens Autumn 2022
News:	Shortlist dates TBA
Prize:	First Prize: £5,000 Second Prize: £3,000 Third Prize: £2,000(25 years and under)
Show:	Touchstones Rochdale (12 Mar – 26 Jun 2022) Millennium Gallery, Sheffield (Jul – Oct 2022) Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens (Nov 2022 – Feb 2023)
What:	2 dimensional artworks, including painting, drawing, photography, video, digital art, collage, mixed media, textiles.
Who:	UK & International artists (over 18)
Fees:	1 work: £10, 2 works: £15, 3 works: £20, 4 works: £25(£2.50 less for Rochdale, Sheffield or Sunderland based artists)
Site:	Enter here

This is Diabetes

Seeks submissions of photos and artwork that illustrate the importance of the Access to Diabetes Care. Win the opportunity to donate up to €5,000.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Shortlist TBA
Prize:	Winner: €5,000  (donation to diabetes charity of choice) Three Runners-Up: €1,000  (donation to diabetes charity of choice)
Theme:	We are seeking submissions of photos and artwork that illustrate the importance of the Access to Diabetes Care, which is the official theme for World Diabetes Day 2021. Do you have a story you want to share that helps raise awareness of the challenges related to living with or supporting someone with diabetes? In particular, what does access to medication, technology, care, support, nutrition and exercise, mean to someone living with diabetes? What does this access enable them to do? And, why can lack of access make their care more challenging?
What:	Submissions can be graphic static 2D artwork or photographs that must be submitted electronically.
Who:	UK & International artists (18+)
Site:	Enter here

The Pastel Society Exhibition

The Pastel Society seeks the best in contemporary dry media, combining traditional skills with creative originality for their Annual Exhibition.

Close:	TBA opens Autumn 2022
News:	Shortlist TBA
Prize:	Yoshimoto Prize: £1,000  (best work by a non member) Pastel Society Young Artist Award: £200 Various other awards and prizes.
Show:	Mall Galleries, London(TBA)
What:	Pastels, oil pastels, charcoal, pencil, conte, sanguine, or any dry media.
Who:	UK and international artists (18+)
Fees:	£20 per work, £14 if under 35 (max 6 artworks)
Site:	Enter here

Artworks Open

Annual show from the Barbican Arts Group Trust that's been running since 2009. Each year two different contemporary artists are chosen to select the shortlist.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Last close: 5th November 2021
Prize:	First Prize: £1,000(2 x winners will receive £1,000)
Show:	Artworks Project Space, London(TBA)
What:	2D and 3D works (no bigger than 100cm in height, width or depth)
Who:	UK and International artists
Fees:	1 work: £12, 2 works: £24, 3 works: £33, 4 works: £40. (max: 4 artworks)
Site:	Enter here

Contemporary Young Artist Award

Artists 35 years old or younger working in the UK can submit work for the chance to win £2000 and exhibit work at The Biscuit Factory, Newcastle.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Last close: 26th January 2020
Prize:	First Prize: £2,000 (and solo show at The Biscuit Factory)
Show:	The Biscuit Factory, Newcastle (TBA)
What:	Painting, photography, original handmade prints, sculpture, glass, ceramics, textiles.
Who:	UK based artists (35 years and under)
Fees:	Free (maximum of 3 artworks)
Site:	Enter here

Parkinson's Art Competition

Open to anyone with an association with Parkinson's – run by an artist collective promoting the benefits of art to those affected by Parkinson's Disease.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Last open call: 18 Sep – 12 Nov 2021
Prize:	First Prize: XP-PEN Artist 15.6 Drawing Tablet(worth £319.99, view on Amazon) Runner Up: Arteza Mixed Media Set(worth £97.99, view on Amazon)
What:	Any medium(Paint, Sketch, Mixed Media, Digital Art, 3D, Photography, Video)
Theme:	Bold(could be in colour, movement, attitude etc open to interpretation)
Who:	Open to anyone who has been affected by Parkinson's(Person with Parkinson's, Family, Friend, Carer, Medical)
Fees:	1 entry: £8, 3 entries £20(multiple entries allowed)
Site:	Enter here

Annual Open Exhibition

The Royal Cambrian Academy of Art invites submissions for its open exhibition dedicated to encouraging and portraying diversity within art.

Close:	15th November 2021 currently closed
News:	Previous open call: 16 Sep – 15 Nov 2021
Prize:	Selector's Prize: £1,000 Lawrenson Sculpture Award: £500 People's Choice Prize: £100
Show:	Royal Cambrian Academy of Art gallery, Conwy  (TBA)
What:	Works may be 2D or 3D and in any medium and within the maximum size limit of 100cm x 100cm for 2D and a 100cm x 100cm footprint for 3D.
Who:	UK & International artists (18 and over)
Fees:	£15 for first work (£25 for 2 artworks, £10 for students, max 2 artworks)
Site:	Enter here

The Sunday Times Watercolour Competition

The largest UK art prize for contemporary watercolour painting enters its 34th year. Approximately 100 water-based works to be selected for touring exhibition.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Last closed: 24th Sep 2020
Prize:	First Prize: £3000 (and £1,000 Cass Art vouchers) Second Prize: £1,000 (+ £695 Maimeri Blu Set, £750 worth of Arches Watercolour Paper) Third Prize: £1000 (+ £150 Maimer Blue Set, £500 worth of Aquafine Watercolour Paper) Young Artist Prize (25 & under): £500 (and solo show)
Show:	Willis Museum and Sainsbury Gallery, Basingstoke (TBA) Mall Galleries, London (TBA)
What:	Any water-based media (includes acrylics, gouache & inks)
Who:	UK based artists
Fees:	£15 per work (max 4)
Site:	Enter here

Wales Contemporary / Cymru Gyfoes

Submit art "Inspired by Wales" in this international open competition developed by the Waterfront Gallery in association with the Welsh Government.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Last closed: 1st Sep 2020
Prize:	First Prize: £4,000 2D Highly Commended: £2,000 3D Highly Commended: £2,000 Young Artist Prize: £1,000 (25 and under) Wales Prize: £1,000 (artist born, educated or resident in Wales) Public Choice: £1,000
Show:	Waterfront Gallery, Milford Haven (TBA)
What:	2 or 3 dimensional artwork in any medium apart from photography or film. (2D max length: 140cm, 3D max length: 50cm)
Who:	UK and international artists. (over 18)
Fees:	£15 for one work, £25 for two and £34 for three.
Site:	Enter here

Axis Digital Residency

An opportunity for experimentation and artistic development over a three month period with two £1,500 awards for artists working in any medium.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Last closed: 16th November 2020
Prize:	Award: £1,500(2 artists to receive awards of £1,500 each)
What:	Any medium, not just digital.
Theme:	"You will be able to identify a theme that runs through your practice. This will inform the rest of our content and micro-commissions for the months that you are in residence."
Who:	Open to Axis members(from £1.75 a month)
Fees:	No entry fee, Axis members only.
Site:	Enter here

Whitegold Ceramics Prize

Bringing St Austell's wealth of history and global connections through china clay to the attention of outstanding ceramic artists from across the world.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Last closed: 21st Februray 2021
Prize:	First Prize: £10,000 (Quartz Award) Category Winners: £5,000 (Feldspar Award)
Show:	Whitgold Festival Of Clay, St Austell (TBA)
Theme:	Projects that combine clay and food in convivial ways.
Who:	UK & International artists (over 18)
Fees:	£15 per work (5 works maximum, £10 per work for under 24s)
Site:	Enter here

Image Behaviour Production Grants

The ICA and Dr. Martens have come together to award seven Image Behaviour Production Grants worth a total of £60,000 to UK based emerging artists.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Last closed: 31st March 2021
Prize:	Main grant: £30,000(for 1 artist) Secondary grants: £5,000(6 artists will receive £5,000 each)
Show:	ICA Theatre, London(TBA)
What:	Your proposal could be for an event-based installation, a single- and/or multi-channel projection, a performance, an online and/or streamable work, another moving image-based format.
Who:	UK based artists(16 and over)
Fees:	No entry fee(max 5 artworks, £25 exhibition fee if longlisted)
Site:	Enter here

Bath Society Of Artists Open Exhibition

The Competition is open to all UK artists working in drawing, painting or mixed media. £4,000 prize fund and exhibition at Victoria Art Gallery.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Last open call: 16th Jul – 31 Aug 2021
Prize:	First Prize: £1,500 Runner Up Prize: £750 Public Choice Prize: £500 Prize for 3D work: £250 Young Artist Prize: £250 Painting Prize: £250 Drawing Prize: £250 Print Prize: £250
Show:	Victoria Art Gallery, Bath (dates TBA)
What:	Entries may include paintings, sculpture, drawings, prints or mixed media
Who:	UK based artists (18+)
Fees:	£15 for first work (£27 for 2 artworks, £5 each for 18-25 year olds, max 2 artworks)
Site:	Enter here

Opening in 2023

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The following art competitions will reopen for entries in 2023.

The Gilchrist Fisher Award

Biennial award, first won by Peter Doig in 1991, established in memory of Alasdair Gilchrist-Fisher, a landscape painter who died of cancer at the age of 24.

Close:	TBA opens January 2023
News:	TBA
Prize:	First Prize: £6,000
What:	All media except video and installation
Theme:	Artists addressing landscape
Who:	Artists under the age of 30 on 1st January 2023
Fees:	No entry fee
Site:	Enter here

BP Portrait Award

The National Portrait Gallery will not be staging the BP Portrait Award in 2021 and 2022 while the building in St Martin's Place is closed for redevelopment.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Last closed: 11th December 2019, reopens in 2023
Prize:	First Prize: £35,000(plus £7,000 portrait commission) Second Prize: £12,000(plus £7,000 portrait commission) Third Prize: £10,000 BP Young Artist Award: £9,000(30 and under) BP Travel Award: £8,000
Show:	National Portrait Gallery, London (TBA)
What:	The work entered must be predominantly painted in oil, tempera or acrylic and must be on a stretcher or board, preferably framed and unglazed. No watercolours, works on paper or pastels will be considered.
Who:	UK & International artists(over 18)
Fees:	£40(1 work maximum)
Site:	Enter here

British Ceramics Biennial

Celebrating the vitality and standing of contemporary ceramics practice in the UK within the context of the history of ceramics in Stoke-on-Trent.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Shortlist TBA
Prize:	First Prize: £5,000 Shortlisted: £1,000  (all 10 shortlisted artists will receive £1,000 each)
Show:	China Hall, Stoke-On-Trent(TBA)
What:	Primarily clay based.
Who:	UK based artists or collectives.
Fees:	£18 per work, £12 if under 35 (max 6 artworks)
Site:	Enter here

New Light Prize Exhibition

A biennial competition open to artists born, based or who have studied in the North of England: Cumbria, Durham, Lancashire, Northumberland and Yorkshire.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Shortlist TBA
Prize:	Valeria Sykes Prize: £10,000 Patron's Choice Award: £2,500
Show:	Scarborough Art Gallery, Scarborough(TBA)Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery, Carlisle (TBA)Biscuit Factory, Newcastle (TBA)Bankside Gallery, London (TBA)
What:	Static works, capable of being wall-hung without requiring any power source. (Photography is currently excluded.)
Who:	Artists, over 18, born in the North of England or are currently living in the North of England or studied at degree or postgraduate level (in an arts-based subject) in the North of England. (the North of England is defined as being the historic counties of Cumbria, Durham, Lancashire, Northumberland and Yorkshire.)
Fees:	£20 for the first image, £40 for two, £10 for each subsequent image (no maximum number of entries, max 3 shortlisted)
Site:	Enter here

The Young Masters Art Prize

Biennial prize initiated by London gallerist Cynthia Corbett in 2009 to reward contemporary artists (of all ages) who embrace the art of the past.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Shortlist TBA
Prize:	First Prize: £1500 Highly Commended x 2: £500 Ceramics First Prize: £1000 Ceramics Commended x 2: £500 Emerging Woman Artist: £1000 People's Choice: £500
Show:	La Galleria, London (TBA)
Theme:	"Show originality, skill and imagination in response to the art of the past."
What:	Any media (separate ceramics prizes)
Who:	UK & international artists (18+)
Fees:	£35 (allows up to 4 artworks)
Site:	Enter here

John Moores Painting Prize

One of the UK's most prestigious painting competitions culminates in an exhibition at the Walker Art Gallery as part of the Liverpool Biennial.

Close:	TBA opens early 2023
News:	Shortlist TBA
Prize:	First Prize: £25,000 Emerging Artist Prize: £2,500 (plus £2,500 worth of Winsor & Newton art materials) Further Prizes: £2,500 (4 x £2,500 prizes) Visitors Choice Prize: £2,020
Show:	Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool (September 2023)
What:	Painting
Who:	UK based artists (18+)
Fees:	£30
Site:	Enter here

Ruth Borchard Self-Portrait Prize

Biennial £10,000 prize celebrating contemporary self-portraiture. Judges include Will Gompertz (BBC Chief Arts Editor) and gallerist Victoria Miro.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Shortlist TBA
Prize:	First Prize: £10,000
Show:	Coventry Cathedral (1TBA)
What:	Works must be a self-portrait of the artist in any mediay(created post 2000)
Who:	All artists, established and emerging
Fees:	£30 fee
Site:	Enter here

VIA Arts Prize

Ibero-American themed visual arts competition invites artists to submit original works inspired by Latin American, Spanish and Portuguese arts and cultures.

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Last deadline: 30th Sep 2019
Prize:	First Prize: £2000 (1st, 2nd and 3rd award winners will receive a £2,000 cash prize) People's Choice Award: £1000
Show:	Exhibition dates TBA (and a group show at Embassy of Brazil, London)
Theme:	Original artwork inspired by Latin American, Spanish and Portuguese arts and cultures.
What:	Painting, Sculpture, Photography, Mixed Media/ assemblage, Collage, Drawing, Engraving, Digital print (non-photographic), Textiles and tapestry.
Who:	UK based artists (any nationality)
Fees:	No Entry Fee (max: 1 artwork)
Site:	Visit Website

Bridgeman Studio Award

A first prize of £5,000 plus a limited edition print and exhibition opportunity sees artists invited to submit work on the theme of "The Art Of Diversity".

Close:	TBA currently closed
News:	Shortlist TBA
Prize:	First Prize: £5,000 (plus winning artwork turned into limited edition print, also London exhibition) Runners Up: £500 (5 x prizes)
Theme:	"The art of diversity." How do you see and experience diversity in your city?
What:	Any work by artists, illustrators and fine art photographers
Who:	UK & International artists (over 18)
Fees:	No Entry Fee (5 works maximum)
Site:	Enter here

Prize Closures

The National Open Art Prize (running since 1996) is closed until further notice.

The End!

And so concludes this UK Art Competitions list. I'll keep adding more competition dates when they're announced. Good luck if you decide to enter and let me know if you win! Back to top

Cga Creative Writing Competition

Source: https://www.moma.co.uk/uk-art-competitions/

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