Organizer Information
The Royal Scottish Academy of Art and Architecture (RSA), based at The Mound in Edinburgh, is an independent charity registered in Scotland. Functioning as a cornerstone of the nation's contemporary culture for 200 years, the Academy administers numerous opportunities for creative practitioners. The RSA William Littlejohn Award is funded entirely by The William Littlejohn Bequest and managed directly by the Academy's administrative team.
Title & Description
The RSA William Littlejohn Award 2026.
This annual visual arts award recognizes excellence and innovation in water-based media. The program provides a structured platform for selected artists to fund deep material research, conceptual development, and the creation of a brand-new body of artwork. The award culminates in a future public exhibition and institutional collection placement, elevating experimental approaches within traditional and contemporary media.
Categories
Painting / Drawing,
Eligibility
- Media Restriction: Entrants must be strictly working in water-based media, which is defined as any pigment mixed with water.
- Geographical Ties: Entrants must either be born in Scotland or have been a legal resident of Scotland for at least 3 years prior to the deadline.
- Student Status Specifications: In the case of student applicants, entrants must either be graduating in 2026 or currently studying at a postgraduate level at one of the following specified art schools in Scotland:
- Gray's School of Art, Aberdeen
- Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, Dundee
- Edinburgh College of Art
- Glasgow School of Art
- University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)
AWARD BENEFITS
The program delivers significant financial support paired with lasting institutional validation:
- The Financial Grant: A monetary award of £2,000 to research, develop, and produce a new body of work. Note: The award must be completed by May 2027 and should not be used as a capital grant.
- Exhibition Opportunities: The winner will exhibit a selection of the resulting completed work at the Royal Scottish Academy the following year. Further exhibition logistics are determined in direct consultation with the Academy.
- Permanent Collection Acquisition: The Royal Scottish Academy reserves the right to accession one representative work from the artist into the prestigious RSA Permanent Collection, a Recognised Collection of National Significance.
- Copyright & Rights Ownership: Full copyright of all original works remains with the artist. However, it is a mandatory condition of entry that the RSA retains the right of reproduction of all submitted and resultant works for publicity, educational, and reference purposes connected with the award.
APPLICATION GUIDELINES
Applications must be submitted electronically through the Submittable platform. The adjudication panel evaluates folders based on two primary assessment metrics: the coherency of the project proposal to enhance practice, and the visual quality of the artwork samples. The submission dossier requires:
- Complete applicant contact information.
- Artist Statement: A concise text detailing your general artistic practice, capped at a maximum of 100 words.
- Artistic Achievements List: Highlighting up to 5 key artistic milestones, including projects, exhibitions, or past awards, capped at a maximum of 150 words.
- Education Summary: A breakdown of post-secondary training, noting institutional names, dates commenced, dates completed, course details, and qualifications.
- Project Title Summary: A brief summary defining the proposed project in exactly 25 words.
- Project Proposal: A comprehensive proposal tracking your planned research and material methods, capped at a maximum of 300 words.
- Timeline Framework: Specified project start and end dates.
- Travel Destination Field: Indicating your desired travel destination if applicable to your research layout.
- Visual Media Portfolio: A selection of up to 6 JPEG images illustrating recent work. The panel strongly encourages applicants to submit high-resolution files, as visual material forms a crucial component of the evaluation process.
Fees
- Application Fee: None (Completely free to apply through the online portal).
How to Apply?
Access the Submittable platform via the application link, compile your 300-word proposal, attach your 6 JPEG images, populate the contact fields, and submit your file. If you require assistance to submit your material in an alternative format, email the administration desk at opportunities@royalscottishacademy.org
Apply to the RSA William Littlejohn Award 2026.
Key Dates
- Application Submission Deadline: Sunday, June 21, 2026, at 5:00 PM BST
- Laureate Announcement Block: By the end of August 2026
- Project Completion Target: May 2027
Location
Online / Virtual Application managed from Edinburgh, Scotland (The Royal Scottish Academy of Art and Architecture).
Additional Details
The decisions of the adjudicators are final, absolute, and not subject to appeal or follow-up correspondence. The RSA holds all personal information securely in accordance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The Academy explicitly notes that its staff members do not have the specific expertise to offer customized tax advice regarding the receipt of awards and funding. Winners are advised to review the official HMRC website or consult with a qualified expert or Art Quest guides regarding grant taxation.