Art competitions can be a brilliant way for artists to develop their career and build a reputation in the art world. Award winners can find it easier to attract galleries, commissions and sales.
These are just a few of the competitions taking place in the UK throughout 2024, many more will be announced throughout the coming months, so make sure you bookmark this page and check back for updates. Don’t forget to check out our Latest guide to the best 2024 international competitions
TIP: Check out our guide on how to win art competitions.
Artweb’s pick of the UK’s best competitions for 2024
Royal Institute of Oil Painters Annual Exhibition
This competition is open to oil painters and packs a real punch when it comes to reputation. There are a range of prizes totaling around £6,000. You will also get a chance for your work to be included in the Royal Institute’s exhibition at London’s Mall Galleries in the autumn.
- Deadline: To be confirmed
- More info: https://theroi.co.uk/
Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours
Since 1831, this art competition celebrates the best in contemporary watercolor painting. There are prizes for young artists, creative use of color and classically inspired works, as well as a chance to exhibit in the institute’s exhibition at London’s Mall Galleries. Entries should be watercolor or water-soluble mediums (including acrylic, ink or gouache) painted on paper or paper-based support.
- Deadline: February 2, 2024
- More info: http://royalinstituteofpaintersinwatercolours.org/
Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2024
This is the largest open-submission art exhibition in the world with a sizeable prize fund of £90,000. As many as 4,000 entries are shortlisted but there’s a cut-off once the competition reaches 16,500 entries. The show takes place at the Royal Academy in London from June to August 2024.
You can enter any media and there’s a theme exploring “making spaces.”
- Deadline: February 13, 2024
- More info: https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibition/summer-exhibition-2024
Royal Scottish Academy Annual Exhibition
This selling exhibition provides a great platform for selling contemporary artworks across painting, sculpture, film and installation. All work must be for sale (note there’s a 40% commission charged).
Now in its 198th year, the exhibition boasts a number of smaller cash prizes, but the real prize is taking part on the show at the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh in June.
- Deadline: February 21, 2024
- More info: https://www.royalscottishacademy.org/opportunities/open-art/
John Ruskin Prize
Alongside cash prizes, entrants also get the chance to exhibit. The prize is named after renowned critic John Ruskin, and its breadth grows every year. In 2024, entries are being welcomed from photographers and artists in all disciplines from around the world.
- Deadline: February 17, 2024
- More info: https://www.ruskinprize.co.uk/
Alpine Fellowship Visual Arts Prize
A rare free competition boasting a £5,000 split between the first, second and third prize winner. This year’s theme is “Language” and is open to all types of media.
- Deadline: March 1, 2024
- More info: https://alpinefellowship.com/visual-art-prize
New English Art Club Annual Exhibition
There’s a cash pot of £10,000 up for grabs in this annual competition celebrating figurative, observational and painterly work with a strong emphasis on drawing. You can submit paintings, drawings, pastels and original framed prints, but no photography.
The competition culminates at the world-famous Mall Galleries in London in June 2024.
- Deadline: March 8, 2024
- More info: https://www.newenglishartclub.co.uk/annual-exhibition/
Society of Women Artists Open Exhibition
This is the 163rd Annual Open Exhibition celebrating women artists takes place at the Mall Galleries, London in June 2024. You can submit up to six entries on a huge range of mediums, including painting, pastels, drawing, mixed media and sculpture. A huge range of prizes are on offer including cash and art materials.
- Deadline: March 12, 2024
- More info: https://www.society-women-artists.org.uk
Women In Art Prize
Celebrating women painters and photographers, this prize culminates in a London exhibition for 22 finalists. Work must have been completed in the last two years, and all work must be for sale.
- Deadline: March 24, 2024
- More info: https://www.womeninartprize.com/
Contemporary British Painting Prize
Organized by painters, for painters to promote current painting from UK-based artists. This prize includes entries for any visual artwork produced using a paint medium such as oil, tempera, acrylic, emulsion, enamel or watercolour.
- Deadline: To be confirmed (for reference, end of June in 2023)
- More info: https://www.contemporarybritishpainting.com/apply/
Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize
Drawing rarely has a chance to shine on its own, but this is one of the most prestigious international drawing competitions with a sizeable prize fund to match alongside a chance to exhibit in London, UK.
- Deadline: To be confirmed
- More info: https://trinitybuoywharfdrawingprize.drawingprojects.uk/
New Light Sculpture Prize
This a new regional prize aimed at artists over 18 born, based or who have studied in the North of England (Cumbria, Durham, Lancashire, Northumberland and Yorkshire). All 3D works (including ceramics) that are free standing, either floor or plinth-based are accepted, but no installations.
There’s a cash prize of £1,000 plus a show at The Biscuit Factory in Newcastle.
- Deadline: March 30, 2024
- More info: https://newlight-art.org.uk/submit-an-entry/
Art and Design Lobster Themed Calendar Competition 2025!
Yes, you did read that right. The world-famous Whitby Lobster Hatchery in England is looking for artists, photographers, sculptors and creative minds to celebrate the beauty of lobsters and Whitby’s mesmerizing seascape.
Winners earn a place in the 2025 calendar, snag some merchandise and participate in conservation efforts, education initiatives, and crucial research on the European Lobster. The main rule is that the work will fit into the format of the calendar.
- Closes: end of July
- Find out more
Inspired? Read on for more…
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