Organizer Information
Fringe Arts Bath (FaB) is a non-profit, artist-led organisation based in Bath, UK, run entirely by volunteers. FaB grew out of Bath Fringe Festival, branching off as its own organisation in 2007, and continues to work alongside the wider Bath Fringe as what it calls a "cheeky little sister" project. The organisation positions itself as a platform for early-career curators and emerging artists, offering opportunities to exhibit and to develop professional skills, including curating. Its flagship annual event is the Fringe Arts Bath Festival, a two-week programme of contemporary visual art exhibitions, events, and workshops held each May/June, free for the public to attend. Alongside the festival, FaB runs year-round projects, of which the Bath Open Art Prize is one.
Title & Description
Bath Open Art Prize 2026
The Bath Open Art Prize (BOAP) is an annual open-submission art competition and exhibition organised by Fringe Arts Bath. Now in its 14th year, it welcomes visual artists at any career stage, from anywhere in the world, working in any genre or medium. A shortlist selected by the 2026 judging panel will be exhibited at 44AD artspace in Bath, with cash prizes, an art voucher prize, and a solo exhibition opportunity awarded from among the selected works.
Categories
- Visual Arts
- All Discipline
- Video/Film
- Painting
- Photography
- Fiber/Textile Art
- Digital
- Printmaking
- Sculpture
- Installation
- Performance
Eligibility
- Open to visual artists worldwide, at any stage of their career
- Open to all ages — the organiser's FAQ explicitly confirms applicants under 18 may submit
- Open to all genres and mediums, including video, painting, photography, textile, digital, print, and 3D work; small installations and performance are also considered
- No nationality, professional background, or discipline-specific restriction stated
Program Benefits & Awards
- 1st Prize: £750 cash, sponsored by Fringe Arts Bath
- 2nd Prize: £250 cash, sponsored by The Bell Inn
- People's Choice Award: £50 art vouchers, sponsored by Minerva Arts Supplies
- Solo Exhibition Opportunity, provided by 44AD artspace — a solo show in the gallery's basement space
- Inclusion in a group exhibition at 44AD artspace for all selected (non-prize-winning) works
Application Fee
Submission fee applies: £22 for 1 artwork; £33 for up to 3 artworks. According to the organiser's FAQ, this is the only FaB event that charges an entry fee; proceeds cover exhibition production costs and help fund the organisation's annual festival.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 13 September 2026
- Artists Notified of Selection: 27 September 2026
- Delivery of Accepted Works to Venue: Sunday 11 and Monday 12 October 2026
- Exhibition Dates: 16–31 October 2026 (the source gives conflicting weekdays for the start date — see note above)
- Prize-Giving Evening / Award Winners Announced: Friday 16 October 2026, 6–8 pm
- People's Choice Award Announced: Friday 30 October 2026
Location
44AD artspace, central Bath, United Kingdom
Additional Details
- All submitted works must be original works by the named artist; the judges' decisions are final
- Artists are responsible for transporting their own work to and from the venue, and for insuring it; FaB and the venue hold Public Liability Insurance but not artwork insurance
- Copyright remains with the artist. By submitting, artists agree FaB may use images of their work in promotion (online and in print) with credit; artists who don't want this must opt out in writing to bathopen@fringeartsbath.co.uk
- A 20% commission applies to any works sold through the exhibition, split between the venue and Fringe Arts Bath; sold works must remain on display until the show closes
- FaB may be unable to display very large works and will discuss this directly with affected artists