Art for Change Prize 2023

Global creative company, M&C Saatchi Group and London’s iconic Saatchi Gallery have launched the 2nd annual Art for Change Prize competition. Applications are now open for the free-to-enter Art for Change Prize, an international art initiative from M&C Saatchi Group and Saatchi Gallery, open to artists working in the first five years of their career

This year’s prize asks artists to creatively respond to the theme Regeneration.

A total prize fund of £20,000 will be split between six winners, five to receive £2,000 and one overall winner to receive £10,000. Winning artists will also have the unique opportunity to exhibit their work at Saatchi Gallery in London.

As part of a shared mission in making art, culture, and creativity accessible to everyone, this prize is a celebration of emerging artistic talent. It will highlight and stimulate dialogue around visual arts as a medium for positive global and social change and give exposure to emerging artists worldwide. Full entry information below.

Deadline for entries Monday 17 July 2023.

About the theme

Regeneration:
There is no art on a dead planet

The world is reacting to the rising drumbeat of climate chaos. The issues of climate justice, social justice, and economics are now inseparable, but there are reasons to be hopeful. Climate change is finally sinking in. Citizens are demanding change. Nations, cities, communities and corporations are stepping up.

This year’s prize brings with it the opportunity to create new stories of a liveable future and motivate people to do what it takes to be a driving force for the change we need. We have the opportunity to change this to a story that inspires and empowers.

Now is the time for action. Now is the time for meaningful change.

The Prize

A total prize fund of £20,000 will be split between six regional winners, five to receive £2,000 each and one overall winner to receive £10,000.

All artists will exhibit their winning works in a dedicated exhibition at Saatchi Gallery in London, a recognised authority in contemporary art, where the overall winner will be announced at the end of November 2023. The exhibition will open to the public on Wednesday 22 November 2023 until Friday 12 January 2024

Apply now

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

The prize is available to emerging artists based in the following M&C Saatchi key global regions: UK, Europe, Americas, Asia, Australia, and Middle East & Africa.

To apply artists must be aged 18 or over and within the first five years of what they hope to be a successful artistic career.

Accepted media includes painting, drawing, illustration, photography, collage, 2D mixed-media, video or film.

Submitted works must creatively respond to the theme ‘Regeneration’ and have been executed since 1 January 2020.

Works must be stable and capable of being shipped and installed on a walled surface.

Submitted works must be available between 1 October 2023 and 31 January 2024 for an exhibition in London.

One application per artist is permitted with a maximum of five artworks accepted.

Artists may only enter the prize in the region associated with their country of residence.

The artwork(s) must be the participants own work(s) and the participant warrants that they have full title to the artwork(s) and that they have all rights to submit the artwork(s).

Website link: https://mcsaatchi.com/artforchangeprize