Organizer Information
Founded in 2022 by Professor Anand Saggar and Victoria Charlton, The Graduate Art Show C.I.C. is a Community Interest Company dedicated to bridging the gap between art school graduation and establishing a sustainable commercial practice. Championing emerging creative talent across more than 40 UK universities, the platform works to eliminate traditional entry barriers, demystify the art market, and directly connect early-career artists with prominent collectors, curators, and leading commercial galleries.
Title & Description
The Graduate Art Show 2026: Open Call for Art Graduates
The Graduate Art Show C.I.C. has opened its annual flagship call for entries, inviting recent and upcoming BA and MA art graduates to submit their work for selection. Designed to showcase emerging talent across all visual art media, the initiative provides selected artists with physical group exhibitions at partner commercial galleries, direct access to art buyers, and opportunities for gallery representation. Evaluated by an international panel of volunteer curators, gallerists, and established artists, chosen participants compete for group exhibition placements and a £1,000 cash prize.
Categories
The call accepts All Visual Arts Disciplines, including:
- Painting
- Sculpture
- Ceramics
- Photography
- Printmaking
- Textiles
- Multimedia
- Mixed Media
- Digital Art.
Eligibility
- Educational Background: Open to recent or future BA and MA graduates in Art graduating between 2024 and 2027.
- Institutional Scope: Graduates from UK universities and select international art academies.
- Submission Limits: Applicants may submit up to three original artworks for consideration.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Cash Prize: £1,000 cash prize awarded to selected winners.
- Commercial Gallery Exhibitions: Selected artists feature in curated group exhibitions at host partner galleries across the UK.
- Industry Exposure: Direct connections to gallerists, art collectors, commercial buyers, and key decision-makers.
Application Fee
Participation is 100% free to enter (£0 submission fee).
How to Apply
Submit your application and upload artwork details via the official digital submission portal.
- Official Entry Portal: The Graduate Art Show Submission Page
Key Dates
- Application Submission Deadline: September 3, 2026
Location
Initial application submission, jury review, and digital publishing operate Online. Physical group exhibitions take place live in partner commercial galleries across the United Kingdom.
Additional Details
Artists retain full copyright ownership of their artworks while granting a non-exclusive license for promotional, archival, and publicity use related to the show. For specific inquiries, contact the team directly at art@thegraduateartshow.com.