5 UK art prizes you should apply to this month [April/May]
Anyone fancy a free trip to Venice?
As Monday rolls around again, we're gearing up for the deadlines of five of the UK’s most prestigious art awards.
Prizes include the chance to exhibit work across the UK, from galleries in central London, to a picturesque Cathedral in Somerset. And wait for it – there's a dreamy 4-day trip to Venice up for grabs, plus cash prizes of up to £10,000 to support early career artists.
So what are you waiting for? Dive in, because you know what they say – you gotta be in it to win it! 🎨✨
1. Hampsted Art Society
Take part in a group exhibition in Central London! Hampsted Art Society are holding an open call for artists to submit work to be shown in their summer exhibition July 7 - 13, 2024 at Gallery 8, London.
Deadline: April 30
Entry fee: £12 per work (up to 7 works)
Judges: James Lloyd, Joshua Press, Plum Cloutman and Tom Marsh
In addition to participating in a group exhibition, there are multiple awards up for grabs including:
The Henrion Award: A main cash prize of £3000
The People's Choice Award: A 4-night painting trip to Venice, that includes accommodation, transfers, breakfast, dinner, an easel, canvas board and oil paints. Flights and insurance not included.
Best Young Artist Award: £500 worth of art materials sponsored by Michael Harding.
Other prizes: Sponsored awards from Cass Art, Rosemary & Co Brushes, and a week long studio workshop in Hampstead!
Here’s the impressive A Tavola by Giulio Noccesi’s, last years winner of the Hampsted Art Society’s Henrion Award:
2. The Scottish Portrait Award for Fine Art
This is one for the Scots! Any artists over 16 years old, born, living or studying in Scotland are invited to submit a portrait work in any 2D or 3D medium. The concept of a ‘portrait’ may be interpreted in the widest possible sense. Works that are conceptual or contemporary in their approach are as welcome as more traditional portraiture.
Deadline: May 2
Entry fee: £10 per work (free entry available for income support households)
Judges: Gordon Mitchell, Anna Robertson, Calum Stevenson, Helen Wilson and Roger Billcliffe
Shortlisted works will be included in a travelling group exhibition at the Scottish Arts Club, Edinburgh, September 2024; Duff House, Banff, October 2024 - February 2025 and Charles Rennie Macintosh Gallery, Glasgow Art Club, March 2025.
There's more than just a spot in the exhibition to vie for, these additional prizes are also up for grabs:
First Prize: £5,000
Second Prize: £1,000
Third Prize: £500
Young Fine Artist (age 16 to 25 years): £500
Last years first prize was awarded to Sam Dalby for his heartwarming composition Meeting Daniel, a posthumous painting of his mother meeting his son for the first time:
3. Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year
Sky Arts are looking for entries to participate in Series 10 of this televised competition! Artists should submit landscape artwork created within the last 5 years and if selected, will compete in a 4 hour live painting heat. The standout artists will progress to the semi-final and finalist rounds.
Deadline: May 3
Entry fee: Free
Judges: Tai Shan Schierenberg, Kathleen Soriano, and Kate Bryan
After a summer of filming for this competition, a grand prize will be awarded to the overall winner:
Prize: £10,000 commission for a major British institution and £500 of art materials from Cass Art
Below is winner of Series 9, Monica Popham, in action at one of Sky Arts live heats in Liverpool:
4. Wells Art Contemporary
Show your work alongside an Antony Gormley sculpture! This competition gives artists the opportunity to exhibit their work in Wells Cathedral, Somerset. An Antony Gormley sculpture titled Doubt is currently installed in niche 338 on the Cathedral’s Western front.
Deadline: May 9
Entry fee: £20 per work, or £12 per work for current BA & MA Fine Art students aged under 26 (up to four works)
Judges: Tessa Coleman, Katherine Jones and Shanti Panchal
There are several prizes for the taking here:
Howden Art Award: £2,000 awarded to one artist
NG Art Creative Residency*: A free two-week placement at the NG Art Creative Residency in Provence, France. This includes board and lodging, studio space, mentorship and residency-related outings.
JGM Gallery Prize*: The winner of this prize will have their works on display and for sale on the JGM Gallery website and promoted across their social media channels. An artist interview will also be posted to the JGM Gallery Youtube channel.
Student Prize: £1,000 awarded to a BA or MA Fine Art student, aged under 26
Parker Harris Mentoring Prize*: A one-to-one mentoring session with Parker Harris covering all aspects of professional development.
Somerset Art Works Mentoring Prize: A one-to-one mentoring session covering all aspects of professional development.
St Cuthberts Mill Award: 20 sheets of Saunders Waterford 300gsm worth over £120 will be awarded to an artist who works on paper.
People’s Choice Prize: £500 will be awarded for the artwork which receives the most public votes.
* Remember to tick the box on the Entry Form if you wish to be considered for these prizes
Antony Gormley’s sight specific commission at Wells Cathedral:
5. NEAC Artist Scholarships
The New English Art Club has three awards worth over £5,000 available to early career artists who face financial barriers in pursuing the arts in a professional capacity.
Deadline: May 17
Entry fee: Free
The judges aren’t announced at this time
The successful artists will benefit from a scholarship prize to support artistic development, as well as the opportunity to attend classes and develop mentoring relationships with the talented members of the NEAC.
The £5,000 scholarship:
£5,000, paid in two instalments
A year of close mentorship with leading figures of the NEAC
Free entry to all courses, classes and workshops run by the NEAC
A selection of work created during the scholarship year will be showcased in the NEAC Annual Exhibition at Mall Galleries in 2025
The £250 scholarship (two available):
£250
A year of mentorship with leading figures of the NEAC
Free entry to all courses, classes and workshops run by the NEAC
A selection of work created during the scholarship year will be showcased in the NEAC Annual Exhibition at Mall Galleries in 2025
Rae Birch Carter’s gestural creations saw her crowned the winner of the £5,000 NEAC Artist Scholarship 2023:
Best of luck to everyone applying and be sure to keep us up to date with how you get on!