Organizer Information
The Wales Contemporary is a prestigious annual competition supported by its main sponsors at The Port of Milford Haven. The exhibition is hosted at The Waterfront Gallery in Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, Wales. Established to promote and celebrate the visual arts, the gallery serves as a flagship cultural hub on the Welsh coast, connecting local heritage with global artistic practices. This year's distinguished selection panel includes Professor Tim Davies, textile artist Laura Thomas, and fine artist Sarah Williams.
Title & Description
Wales Contemporary 2026: 6th Annual International Open Call
Now in its sixth year, this international competition celebrates artwork that demonstrates a strong connection to Wales—whether through birth, residence, or thematic response to the Welsh landscape and culture. For the first time, the 2026 edition has expanded its inclusivity to welcome photography, film, and animation alongside traditional 2D and 3D media. The exhibition kicks off with a high-profile awards ceremony at Sybil House and continues at The Waterfront Gallery, offering a massive platform for artists to gain visibility and sell their work to a wide audience.
Categories
Painting, Drawing, Sculpture, Photography, Film, Animation, Printmaking, Textile Art, and Mixed Media.
Eligibility
- Open to International and UK-based artists aged 18 and over.
- Artists must fulfill at least one Welsh connection criteria: born in Wales, living/working in Wales, making work responding to Welsh heritage/culture, or contributing to the arts in Wales.
- Work must have been created within the last three years.
- Maximum dimension: 150cm in any direction.
- AI-generated work is permitted but must be declared with an explanation of its use.
Program Benefits and Awards
- Total Prize Fund: £6,000 in cash awards.
- Main Awards (Over 18s): Up to 3 artists will be awarded £1,000 each.
- Young Artist Awards: Up to 5 awards worth £500 each.
- Recent Graduate Prize: Up to 2 graduates receive £500, a solo exhibition, and 3 mentoring sessions.
- People’s Choice: 1 artist awarded £1,000.
- Special Award: The David Randell Award (£500) for an Artist in Education in Pembrokeshire.
- Exhibition: Inclusion in the flagship tour at The Waterfront Gallery and Sybil House.
Fees
- Standard Entry: £15 (1 work), £25 (2 works), £30 (3 works).
- Concessionary (Full-time students): £10 (1 work), £15 (2 works), £20 (3 works).
- Entry fees are paid during the online registration process.
Application Requirements
- Online submission including artist details and Welsh connection statement.
- Artwork details: Title, medium, dimensions, and a short statement.
- High-resolution images of the work.
- Framing Standards: Neutral frames (Black, White, or Natural Wood) and white/off-white mounts are mandatory.
- Fittings: Works must be fitted with mirror plates for installation.
How to Apply?
Artists must register and upload their work through the official ArtOpps submission portal. Apply for Wales Contemporary 2026
Key Dates
- Submission Deadline: June 29, 2026 (5:00 PM).
- Selection Results: July 25, 2026.
- Delivery of Work: August 24 – 25, 2026.
- Exhibition Dates: August 29 – September 26, 2026.
- Collection of Unsold Work: September 26 – October 2, 2026.
Location
United Kingdom, Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, Wales.
Additional Details
Selected works must be delivered in reusable packing cases. While the work does not have to be for sale, the gallery takes a 35% commission on any sales made through the exhibition website or gallery space. Artists are recommended to have their own insurance and public liability coverage.