Art Competitions in the UK – Free, Student & International Art Prizes
Art Competitions in the UK: Open Calls, Awards and Prizes
Discover UK art competitions and international art awards accepting applications from eligible artists in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Explore painting, drawing, illustration, sculpture, mixed media, digital art, photography and contemporary art. This guide separates UK-based opportunities from international competitions that may accept UK entrants; being held in Britain does not automatically mean an award is limited to UK residents.
Latest open art competitions from Active Competitions
Browse automatically updated art competition cards below. This feed includes published competitions categorised as Art whose stored deadline is today or later. It does not yet filter eligibility to UK residents: check each organiser’s official terms, country restrictions, entry fee and deadline before entering. Expired competitions automatically leave the open listings.
Open Art Competitions
Open Competitions
Ladder Art Prize 2026 — Melbourne Small Works Exhibition
RBSA Friends Exhibition 2027 — Birmingham Art Open Call
Circular ArtSpace 32nd Community Art Exhibition 2026 — Bristol
The Unfinished 2026 — CISTA ARTS International Online Exhibition
IP4Kids Children’s Day 2026 — Poster Making Competition
LAB ART PRIZE — Venice 2027
2026 LIMITLESS — Federation of Canadian Artists Online Exhibition
LiTE-HAUS Berlin December 2026 — EU Artists Group Exhibition Open Call
Malamegi LAB Art Prize Venice 2027 — International Visual Art Competition
Hand Me Down 2026 — No Limits Gallery London Open Call
Arch Enemy Arts 2027 — Emerging Artists Group Exhibition Open Call
BETON FUCHS 2026 — Berlin Marzahn Public Art Prize
About Open Art Competitions
Compare eligibility, deadlines, fees and submission requirements. Always confirm the latest details on the official organiser website before entering.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I enter these competitions?
Open the competition details and follow the official organiser’s entry instructions.
Are completed competitions still accepting entries?
Usually not. Their recorded entry deadlines have passed; check the organiser for extensions or future editions.
Are international competitions open to everyone?
No. Country, age, residency and other eligibility restrictions may apply.
More verified UK art opportunities — Batch 3
Additional published opportunities cover international photography, sculpture, Glasgow exhibitions, London curation, a West Yorkshire art fair, youth art, Leeds artist-led exhibitions and textile art. Verify each organiser’s application terms before paying any fee.
- Earth Photo 2027 — free worldwide photography and film entries; closes 3 February 2027. Official call.
- First Plinth Public Art Award 2027 — three-dimensional art and sculpture, paid application; closes 12 January 2027. Official call.
- Boundaries 2027, Glasgow — international photography; free submission, £50 if selected; closes 20 November 2026. Official call.
- Quote & Curate, London — artists aged 18+ worldwide, £15 per artwork; closes 22 November 2026. Opportunity details.
- Saltaire Fine Art Fair, West Yorkshire — fine art painters, £10 application plus space fee if selected; closes 21 November 2026. Opportunity details.
- UK International Youth Art Competition 2027 — age groups from 3–4 through 19+, £20 preliminary entry and additional finalist fees; closes 20 November 2026. Official call.
- SERF exhibition programme, Leeds — early-career UK artists and curators; free application but self-funded exhibition; closes 15 November 2026. Opportunity details.
- Responsa Foundation: This Memory, London — textile artists worldwide, free entry; closes 4 December 2026. Official call.
Newly published UK and international art opportunities — Batch 3
These five newly published listings include funding for eligible arts organisations, a London-based online exhibition and three further London-related exhibition opportunities. Fees and eligibility differ; several are not cash-prize competitions.
- Fluxus Art Projects 2027 — UK and France: exhibition and curatorial funding for qualifying organisations or curators; closes 24 November 2026. Official applications.
- The Unfinished — CISTA ARTS, London-based online exhibition: worldwide artists; closes 11 November 2026; free application, participation fees if selected. Opportunity details.
- Hand Me Down — No Limits Gallery, London: all career stages; closes 12 November 2026; free to apply, £10 if selected. Opportunity details.
- Solo Exhibition Open Call — Kennington, London: worldwide artists; closes 25 November 2026; £2,800 participation fee if selected. Opportunity details.
- Animal Group Exhibition — London-based international online exhibition: artists aged 18+ worldwide; closes 9 November 2026; free application, £15.50 per selected artwork. Opportunity details.
Latest UK art opportunities: Wales, Scotland and Bristol
Newly published art contests and artist opportunities include a Welsh open exhibition, children’s art contest, Scottish interdisciplinary artist programme, South West England commission and a UK-based international photography exhibition. Some are competitions; others are professional development or exhibition open calls.
| Competition and eligibility | Deadline | Links |
|---|---|---|
| Queen Street Gallery Open 27 — Neath, Wales; amateur and professional artists; £15 entry | 23 Dec 2026 | Details · Organizer |
| Young Artist of the Year — Wales; ages 5–16, junior and senior categories | 19 Dec 2026 | Details · Organizer |
| Cryptic Nights — emerging artists based in Scotland; sound-led visual and performance work | 19 Nov 2026 | Details · Organizer |
| Spike Island commission — Bristol; artists based in South West England, not current undergraduates | 13 Dec 2026 | Details · Organizer |
| RPS International Photography Exhibition 168 — UK-based exhibition, entrants worldwide; one free image entry | 15 Dec 2026 | Details · Organizer |
New UK art open calls: Bristol, Birmingham, London and Norfolk
These five newly published opportunities include gallery open calls and exhibitions as well as art awards. Check each organiser’s eligibility, entry fees and delivery requirements before applying.
| Opportunity and location | Deadline | Entry details |
|---|---|---|
| RWA Biennial Open: Paint — Bristol | 9 Nov 2026 | Paint-led works in multiple media; official entry |
| RBSA Friends Exhibition — Birmingham | 10 Nov 2026 | Active Friends subscription required; official entry |
| HUGE Gallery — London | 16 Nov 2026 | Paid physical or digital exhibition participation; official entry |
| GroundWork HEAT — King’s Lynn | 29 Nov 2026 | £10 entry, heat-themed gallery exhibition; official entry |
| RWS Annual Open — London | 8 Dec 2026 | Water-based media on paper; official entry |
Selected UK art awards and exhibitions
UK-resident or UK-local entry: Southwark Park Galleries Annual Open is listed for artists aged 16+ living or working in the UK, with in-person artwork delivery to London. The Heseltine Open requires local delivery and collection, with a youth category. Calderdale Open Art Exhibition lists original two-dimensional works for amateur and professional artists. Check each organiser’s rules before applying.
UK-based awards open internationally: John Ruskin Prize 2027 accepts artists and designers aged 18+ worldwide; its official 2027 entry information confirms a 17 November 2026 deadline and London exhibition. The Pastel Society Annual Exhibition and Royal Society of British Artists Annual Exhibition are also listed as accepting artists aged 18+ worldwide. These should not be described as UK-only competitions.
Explore our detailed records for Southwark Park Galleries Annual Open, The Heseltine Open, Calderdale Open Art Exhibition, John Ruskin Prize, The Pastel Society Annual Exhibition and Royal Society of British Artists Annual Exhibition. These are editorial links to individual records, not an assertion that every application remains open.
For a broader range of art awards, visit our international art competitions directory, UK online competitions and USA art competitions. Each competition has its own participation rules; an international listing is not an automatic guarantee of UK eligibility.
Featured art competitions and upcoming deadlines — November 2026
These opportunities are organised outside the UK but advertise international participation. UK artists must check each organiser’s current country restrictions before entering. Fees and deadlines may change; official links take precedence over directory summaries.
| Competition | Art categories | Published deadline | Entry details |
|---|---|---|---|
| TERAVARNA Water Art Competition | Water-themed painting, mixed media, photography, digital art and sculpture | 15 November 2026 | International artists aged 18+; check entry fee and terms |
| Light Space & Time 16th Open Art Competition | Open-theme 2D and 3D visual art | 27 November 2026 | International submissions; paid entry, check fee tiers |
| TERAVARNA Color Art Competition | Painting, installation, mixed media, photography, graphic design and sculpture | 30 November 2026 | 18+; $20 per artwork; AI-generated artwork excluded |
| TERAVARNA Portrait Art Competition | Portrait and figurative visual art | 15 December 2026 | International juried art award; check fee and eligibility |
| Light Space & Time Botanicals Art Competition | Botanical-themed visual art | 28 December 2026 | Check organiser’s specific competition announcement |
Find more art competition opportunities
Explore external opportunity directories including Artists & Illustrators competitions, MoMa UK competitions, ArtShow North American juried shows, CallForEntries art competitions, free international art contests, ArtFait art contest and free art competition research. These sources are research directories, not proof that each listed contest is currently open or UK-eligible.
Find UK art competitions by age, entry fee and location
Search interest in UK art competitions includes free-entry art awards, online art contests for teenagers and adults, London exhibitions, children’s drawing contests and student competitions. Use the sections below to compare opportunities rather than assuming every listing is free or open to all ages.
Free art competitions in the UK
Looking for free art competitions in the UK, free online art competitions, free-entry painting awards or art contests with cash prizes? Start with the free drawing competition guide and our art listings above. Check the organiser’s complete terms: some competitions charge for extra artworks, exhibitions, postage or certificates.
UK art competitions for under-18s, kids and teens
For under-18 art competitions in the UK, children’s drawing competitions, school art awards, online art contests for teens and free youth art contests, verify minimum and maximum age, parent or guardian consent, school-entry requirements and any region restrictions. See our primary school competition guide and student competitions with prizes.
UK art competitions for adults and emerging artists
Adult artists can research amateur art competitions, open-age painting prizes, emerging artist awards, professional exhibitions and online art contests for adults. An open call may accept all ages over 18 or require an established portfolio, so check each listing individually.
London art competitions and local opportunities
For London art competitions, free art exhibitions, local artist open calls and competitions near you, check whether work must be delivered in person. Also search for regional opportunities in Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast. A London venue does not always mean entry is restricted to London residents.
2026 and 2027 deadlines, results and winners
For UK art competitions in 2026 or 2027, use the live Art listings above and check the official deadline. For art competition winners and results, use the organiser’s official announcements rather than treating an expired application as open. We do not publish unverified winner lists.
Explore art competitions by medium
Choose competitions that match your artwork: painting and watercolour, drawing and illustration, portrait and landscape art, sculpture, mixed media, digital art or photography. For gallery exhibitions and juried open calls, check delivery requirements and whether online submissions are accepted.
Painting and drawing awards
Artists searching for watercolour competitions in the UK, acrylic and oil painting prizes, pencil drawing competitions, sketching contests or portrait drawing awards should check accepted materials, artwork dimensions and whether originals must be delivered to a gallery. Explore our online drawing competitions alongside the listings above.
Digital art, illustration and mixed-media competitions
Digital art competitions, illustration awards and mixed-media open calls can have different rules for digitally altered work, generative AI and copyright ownership. Read the official terms before entering an AI-assisted artwork or submitting the same piece to multiple contests.
Emerging artists, students and local exhibitions
Emerging artist awards, university art prizes, secondary school art competitions and gallery open calls serve different audiences. Local opportunities in Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast may require regional residency or in-person artwork delivery. Use the eligibility information on each competition record to narrow your choices.
Upcoming art competitions and closing dates
For art competitions closing this month, upcoming art competitions in 2027 and free online painting contests with cash prizes, use the current competition listings and confirm deadlines, fees and prize conditions on the organiser’s official website. Dates and terms can change.
Art competitions with published 2026–2027 entry information
The John Ruskin Prize — UK exhibition, international entry
The ninth John Ruskin Prize, themed “Not for Present Delight”, accepts work in drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography, textiles, animation, digital art, installation and other media from artists, designers and makers worldwide. The organiser lists an entry deadline of 17 November 2026 at 5pm, an exhibition in London and prizes totalling £10,000. Entry is not advertised as free. Confirm the fee, eligibility and submission requirements on the official John Ruskin Prize website before applying.
Other opportunities worth checking
For UK emerging artists, review the Henley Festival emerging artist prize and the Hampstead Art Society exhibitions when new application rounds open. For illustration, explore specialist illustration awards; for young artists, check age-specific drawing, poster and school art contests. These are research leads, not confirmed open listings. Do not rely on previous-year deadlines or prize amounts.
Browse UK art competitions by discipline
International art competitions · Free drawing competitions · Painting and fine art awards · Student photography competitions · Digital and mixed-media art competitions. Check each competition’s accepted media and submission format.
Art competitions by eligibility and classification
Children and school students
Search for children’s art competitions, school drawing contests, poster-making competitions, primary-school art awards, secondary-school art competitions and youth illustration challenges. Compare age bands, parental permission, school-only entry rules, safeguarding requirements and whether the organiser accepts entries from all UK nations.
College and university students
Look for student art prizes, undergraduate painting awards, university illustration contests, art and design student exhibitions and emerging-artist opportunities. Confirm student status, graduation-year restrictions and whether the award is restricted to a named institution.
Adults, beginners and professional artists
Compare open-age art competitions, amateur painting contests, professional fine-art prizes, early-career artist awards, established-artist open calls and disability-inclusive art opportunities. Some awards accept all experience levels; others require a portfolio, previous exhibitions or UK residence.
Free art competitions in the UK and online
Free-entry art competitions can still involve optional exhibition, framing, delivery or sales costs. Before entering, check whether the initial application is free, whether shortlisted artists pay additional fees, who covers artwork shipping and whether a certificate or prize is guaranteed. For wider opportunities see free online competitions and online competitions in the United Kingdom.
Art competitions in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Find UK art competitions by nation and region, including local open exhibitions, painting prizes, drawing contests and opportunities that accept online entries from elsewhere in the UK. Eligibility is determined by each organiser: a competition held in one city may be open nationally or internationally.
Art competitions in England
Explore art competitions in London and Greater London, Manchester and Greater Manchester, Birmingham and the West Midlands, Liverpool and Merseyside, Leeds and West Yorkshire, Sheffield and South Yorkshire, Bristol, Nottingham, Newcastle upon Tyne, Oxford, Cambridge, Brighton and Hove, Southampton, Portsmouth, Leicester, Coventry, York, Bath and Plymouth. Check the competition listings above for actual eligibility and entry instructions rather than assuming every location has a currently open contest.
Art competitions in Scotland
Search for Scottish art prizes, drawing competitions and gallery open calls in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee, Stirling, Perth and Inverness. Some Scottish exhibitions welcome entries from artists throughout the UK or internationally, while others have local residency or delivery requirements.
Art competitions in Wales
For art competitions in Wales, consider Cardiff, Swansea, Newport, Wrexham, Bangor and Aberystwyth, as well as regional art exhibitions across North Wales and South Wales. Check whether entries are accepted online, through schools or by physical submission.
Art competitions in Northern Ireland
Explore Northern Ireland art competitions, youth drawing contests and open exhibitions around Belfast, Derry/Londonderry, Lisburn, Newry, Armagh and Bangor. Always verify organiser eligibility, deadlines and whether artwork must be delivered locally.
Who can enter? Art competition classifications
Art opportunities may be intended for primary school children, secondary school pupils, under-18 artists, teenagers, sixth-form and college students, university students, adults, amateur artists, emerging artists, professional artists, senior artists or mixed-age entrants. Some also offer accessible or inclusive entry arrangements. These are search and eligibility categories, not promises that a currently open competition exists in each group. Review age limits, disability access information, residency rules and parental consent requirements in the official entry terms.
Search separately for London art competitions, Manchester open calls, Birmingham art prizes, Bristol drawing competitions, Scottish art awards, Edinburgh exhibition calls, Cardiff art competitions, Welsh artist prizes and Northern Ireland art opportunities. Always distinguish an organiser’s location from a participant-residency restriction.
How to enter a UK art competition
- Read the organiser’s official terms and check the submission deadline in UK local time.
- Confirm UK residency, nationality, age, student status and eligible media.
- Prepare original artwork photographs or digital files in the required format and size.
- Review fees in GBP, prize conditions, copyright, image-licensing and exhibition/shipping obligations.
- Submit through the organiser’s official portal and keep your confirmation email.
Frequently asked questions
Can artists from the USA enter UK art competitions?
Some UK-organised art prizes accept entrants worldwide, including from the United States; others are restricted to UK residents. The organiser’s eligibility terms determine who can enter.
Are UK art competitions free to enter?
Some are free, some charge per artwork and others have later-stage exhibition or delivery costs. Check the full fee schedule before submitting.
Are there art competitions for children and teenagers?
Yes. Look for school art competitions, children’s drawing contests, youth illustration awards and age-banded poster competitions. Verify age ranges and guardian or school consent.
Which UK art competitions are open now?
Open status changes throughout the year. Check each official organiser’s website for the latest application window; the examples above are not a live eligibility-filtered feed.
Editorial note: This page is independently written for Active Competitions. Competitions and deadlines should be confirmed with their organisers before entering. Browse our global online competitions guide for more opportunities.