Organizer Information
The Royal Watercolour Society (RWS) is the world’s oldest watercolour society, representing artists who work in all water-based media on paper. Through its exhibitions and programs, the RWS continues to champion innovation, technical excellence, and diversity in contemporary water-based art.
Title & Description
Open Call: RWS Open 2026 (London, UK)
Submissions are now open for the RWS Open 2026, one of the largest international open-submission exhibitions for water-based media. Welcoming thousands of entries each year, the RWS Open provides artists an opportunity to exhibit alongside established members of the Society and gain recognition within the contemporary water-media field.
Category
Visual Art | Painting | Works on Paper | Water-based Media
Theme
Open – artworks in any water-based media on paper.
Deadline
November 28, 2025 – 11:59 PM (GMT)
Location
Bankside Gallery, London, United Kingdom (next to Tate Modern, Thames Path)
Duration
March 2026 (exact exhibition dates TBA)
Eligibility
- Open to artists at any career stage
- Open internationally to artists working in any water-based medium on paper
Costs/Funding
- Entry fee: from £5 per artwork
Awards & Benefits
- 25 prizes available, including:
- Cash awards
- Society membership opportunities
- Art materials and studio time
- Publishing opportunities
- Exhibition at Bankside Gallery, London
- International exposure through RWS platforms
Expectations & Outcomes
- Selected works will be exhibited in the RWS Open 2026 exhibition
- Exposure to curators, collectors, and RWS members
Application Fee
From £5 per entry
How to Apply
Submit online via the official competition page: RWS Open 2026
Contact Information
- Website: royalwatercoloursociety.co.uk
- Instagram: @royalwatercoloursociety
