Organizer Information
Visual Art Open is presented in partnership with the Visual Artists Association (VAA), a professional-support network for visual artists worldwide. The VAO functions as an annual art competition intended to support, promote, and give visibility to artists at all career stages — from emerging talents and students to experienced professionals. The VAA offers additional support through membership benefits, mentorship, and business-oriented resources for artists.
Title & Description
Visual Art Open Prize (VAO 2026)
An open call and international competition inviting artists to submit original visual artworks for consideration in the VAO. The competition seeks to celebrate artistic talent across multiple disciplines, offering a platform for exposure, recognition, and career development. Selected finalists have the opportunity to exhibit at a prestigious London venue, receive cash awards, and benefit from professional development and visibility facilitated by the VAA.
Categories
- Painting
- Drawing & Illustration
- Mixed Media, Collage & Printmaking
- Photography & Digital Art
- Sculpture
- Student Artist
- Art Educator
Eligibility
- Open to both amateur and professional artists.
- Applicants must be aged 14 or older. Artists under 18 need written parental/guardian consent per the terms.
- Formal art training is not required — untrained artists may also apply.
- Artists may submit under a pseudonym / exhibiting name if desired.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Global exposure via a £10,000 total prize fund.
- Overall Winner: £2,000 cash prize + a solo exhibition in London at a leading venue + full membership benefits from VAA (annual premium membership, mentorship, business-development support) + certificate of achievement.
- Finalists: Invitation to exhibit at the London Art Exhibition of Finalists at the historic Minster Building, with additional online exposure via VAA’s platforms and networks.
- Category winners: Cash prize (for category-level winners), membership/mentorship benefits, and online & exhibition exposure.
- All entrants: Receive some degree of exposure — entries are profiled across social media and email newsletters reaching 60,000+ subscribers, giving artists access to a broad network of collectors, galleries, and art enthusiasts.
Application Fee
Yes, there is an application fee. The fee structure (2026) is:
| Submission type | Fee (Standard) | Fee (Student / Art Educator) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 artwork | £20 | £8 |
| 2 artworks | £30 | £14 |
| 3 artworks | £40 | £20 |
| 4 artworks | £50 | £25 |
| 5 artworks | £60 | £30 |
- Maximum 5 artworks per entrant.
- Entry fees are non-refundable.
Application Requirements
- Up to 5 artworks can be submitted.
- Upload up to 5 images per artwork via the online application form.
- Provide basic personal information, title, dimensions, medium, and a description of each work.
- Works must have been completed within the last three years.
- If selected as a finalist, the artwork must be ready for exhibition, framed or otherwise presentation-ready for display. The artist is responsible for delivery, collection, and insurance during transit and exhibition.
- Note: The competition does not accept AI-generated or AI-assisted artworks. All pieces must be created manually by the submitting artist.
How to Apply
Online Application
Key Dates
- Submission Deadline: 18 December 2025
Location
London, United Kingdom
Additional Details
- Finalist works — if sold during the exhibition — are handled by VAO, with a 40% commission on sales.
- For artists outside the UK, shipping and delivery are the responsibility of the artist. VAO does not pay for transport or insurance.
- Artworks must not exceed 2.4 m in the longest dimension (including frame or plinth).
- The judging is done anonymously — artists’ identity is hidden from the judges to ensure impartiality. Works are evaluated by a jury of curators, critics, collectors, and other professionals from the contemporary art world.
- Every submission — even if not shortlisted — gets some exposure via the VAO’s social media channels and email newsletters, which reach a large network of collectors, curators, and art buyers.
Website Link: https://www.visualartopen.com/
