Organizer Information
Artists & Illustrators magazine returns with The British Art Prize 2026. This major international competition is designed to provide a far-reaching platform for artists of all levels—amateur, emerging, or professional—to gain valuable publicity and recognition. The prize offers an unprecedented level of national exposure, reaching a combined audience of nearly one million art lovers and collectors.
Title & Description
The British Art Prize 2026.
This inclusive open call considers all styles and techniques, aiming to discover and celebrate the best in contemporary art. Shortlisted artists will see their work displayed at a dedicated exhibition at the OXO Gallery in London and will be invited to a prestigious private view reception alongside collectors and VIP guests. The competition serves as a significant career springboard, offering high-value cash awards, extensive editorial coverage in Artists & Illustrators, and a solo exhibition at a major London gallery for the overall winner.
Categories
Visual Arts, Painting, Drawing, Textiles, Prints, Mixed Media, and Portraiture.
Eligibility
- Skill Level: Open to everyone, including amateur, emerging, and professional artists.
- Age: Open to all; however, artists 18 and under must provide additional details via a representative.
- Originality: Works must be original; no giclée reproductions or copies of original works in other media are accepted.
- Strict Exclusion: Works generated by AI will not be considered.
- Dimensions: Each artwork must not exceed 275cm x 275cm (including frame) and must not project more than 50cm from the wall.
Program Benefits and Awards
- Total Prize Fund: Worth over £10,000.
- First Prize: £2,000 cash, a solo exhibition at Panter and Hall’s Cecil Court Gallery, STAEDTLER art materials, and a six-page feature in Artists & Illustrators.
- Second Prize: £500 cash, a £750 Derwent voucher, and editorial inclusion in the winners' special issue.
- Third Prize: £750 Royal Talens voucher and editorial inclusion in the winners' special issue.
- The Raw Umber Studios Prize for Portraiture: £750 cash and editorial inclusion.
- Clairefontaine People’s Choice Award: £1,000 worth of products and a six-page feature.
- Exhibition: Inclusion in the group show at OXO Gallery (21-25 October 2026) for all shortlisted artists.
Fees
- First Artwork: £24.
- Additional Artworks: £19 per work (up to 20 works total).
Application Requirements
- Digital images of the artwork(s).
- Completed registration through the seven-step online process.
- Answers to specific questions regarding the submitted works.
How to Apply?
Artists must register and submit their entries digitally via the ArtOpps portal. Enter The British Art Prize 2026
Key Dates
- Online Submission Deadline: Friday 7 August 2026 (5:00 PM).
- Shortlist & People's Choice Vote Live: 25 September 2026.
- Delivery of Selected Work: 6 - 8 October 2026.
- OXO Gallery Exhibition: 21 - 25 October 2026.
- Private View Reception: 22 October 2026.
- Collection of Unsold Work: 26 - 29 October 2026.
Location
United Kingdom, London (OXO Gallery & Panter and Hall’s Cecil Court Gallery).
Additional Details
Shortlisted artists (up to 75 works) and the People's Choice Award will be partially decided by a public vote. International applicants are welcome and may contact the organizers regarding specific delivery arrangements.