Organizer Information
The Liberty Specialty Markets Art Award is a specialized initiative designed to support and elevate talented graduate artists at the start of their professional journeys. Managed in collaboration with Parker Harris, the programme leverages industry expertise to provide a bridge between art education and a successful commercial career. By hosting the exhibition within Liberty's prestigious London offices in the iconic Walkie Talkie building, the award connects emerging artists with a unique corporate audience and high-level professionals.
Title & Description
Liberty Art Award 2026–2028.
This comprehensive two-year programme offers a transformative opportunity for recent UK graduates to thrive through a combination of financial support, high-profile exhibition, and rigorous professional training. Selected participants will showcase their work in the heart of London’s financial district while engaging in a development programme that covers every facet of professional artistic practice. From one-to-one mentoring to group seminars with leading gallerists and critics, the award is structured to equip artists with the technical and business skills required to navigate the contemporary art world.
Categories
Visual Arts, Painting, Sculpture, Photography, Moving Image, Print, and Textiles.
Eligibility
- Academic Requirement: Open to students who graduated in 2025 and 2026.
- Residency: Open to graduates from across the United Kingdom.
- Work Requirements: Entries must be original, unaided work and must be available for the entire two-year duration of the exhibition.
- Sensitivity: As work is shown in a corporate setting, artists should be sensitive to subject matter that may be deemed inappropriate for such an environment.
Program Benefits and Awards
- Financial Support: Each selected artist receives a £1,000 participation fee and a contribution toward travel expenses.
- Exhibition: Two-year showcase at Liberty’s London office (Fenchurch Street) from September 2026 to August 2028.
- Professional Development: A two-year programme including at least four one-to-one mentoring sessions with Penny Harris (Project Director), group visits to major art fairs (Frieze, London Art Fair), and expert-led seminars.
- Logistics & Insurance: Full coverage for the collection, return, and insurance of works while on exhibition and in transit.
- Culminating Prizes (awarded Spring 2028):
- Expert Judges' Prize: £3,500.
- Purchase Prize: £2,500.
- Brokers' Choice Prize: £1,500.
Fees
- Entry Fee: FREE to apply.
Application Requirements
- Online Submission: Registration and digital upload via the ArtOpps portal.
- Materials: Digital images of the work(s) and responses to opportunity-specific questions.
- Constraints: 3D work must be stable and safe for exhibition; there are no strict size/weight restrictions "within reason".
How to Apply?
Artists must create an account on the ArtOpps portal, complete the initial entry form, and upload their work details before the deadline. Apply for Liberty Art Award 2026
Key Dates
- Submission Deadline: July 29, 2026 (5:00 PM).
- Selection Results: August 14–17, 2026.
- Collection of Works: August 27–30, 2026.
- Programme Start: September 2026.
- Award Ceremony: Spring 2028.
Location
United Kingdom, London (Liberty Specialty Markets, Fenchurch Street).
Additional Details
The development programme includes task-based activities such as proposal writing and funding applications, providing practical feedback to help participants secure future opportunities.