John Moores Painting Prize

Short Description

The John Moores Painting Prize brings together the best in contemporary British painting right now.

Supporting artists from all over the UK – whether they’re undiscovered, emerging or established in their careers – the prize provides a platform for artists to inspire, disrupt and challenge the British painting art scene today.

The exhibition will be open to the public from Saturday 6 September to Sunday 1 March 2026 and will be free to enter.

Eligibility

Anyone who is aged 18 years or above on 24 March 2025 and lives in the UK or are UK-based can enter the competition. (This includes England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands and Isle of Man. It does not include the Republic of Ireland).

What is considered a painted medium

Oil paint, acrylic, gouache, watercolour and ink paints, emulsion and household paint will be accepted as painted mediums. Digital and video-based artworks will not be accepted.

Submission Requirements

Your submission must be wholly or partly executed in any painted medium and designed to hang on or be fixed to a wall.

How to Apply

You can only enter the competition online. Here is the application link.

Program Benefits & Awards:

First Prize – £25,000 and a solo exhibition at the Walker Art Gallery
Lady Grantchester Prize – £5,000, £2,500 in Winsor & Newton art materials, plus a month-long residency in London
Visitors Choice – £2,025
Previously, we have also had 4 prize winners who have each been awarded £2,500. This year, we will still have the 4 highly commended prize winners, but there will be no cash prize for this. Instead, we will be paying all exhibiting artists a fee.

Entry Fee:

The entry fee is £30 inclusive of VAT

Location:

United Kingdom

Timeline:

Application Deadline: 24 March 2025

Notification Date: 23 June 2025′

Website Link: John Moores Painting Prize

Award/Prize Exhibition