Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize 2026: UK’s Leading Drawing Open Call Closes 9 June

Since 1994, this annual prize has tracked the very heart of contemporary drawing practice. Now known as the Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize, it remains the UK’s leading open exhibition and awards for drawing—and the 2026 deadline is Tuesday 9 June.

With a main prize of £15,000, a Student Award of £2,000, and a new Boroughs’ Award of £1,000 for artists living or working in East London, this is a career-defining opportunity for everyone who draws—from emerging students to established practitioners, anywhere in the world.

A Distinguished History, A New Chapter

Led by founding director Anita Taylor RWA Hon since its inception, the prize has had many names—the Rexel Derwent Open Drawing Exhibition, the Cheltenham Open Drawing Exhibition, and most recently the Jerwood Drawing Prize. But its purpose has never wavered: to generate new insights into the nature, role and value of drawing in creative practice today.

The 2026 exhibition will launch at Trinity Buoy Wharf in London (17 September – 4 October 2026) before touring venues across the UK until July 2027. A fully illustrated publication and an engaging programme of talks, events, and drawing sessions accompany the exhibition.

The 2026 Awards

The Boroughs’ Award is open to those living and/or working in Tower Hamlets, Newham or Greenwich.

Who Can Enter?

The Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize is open to artists, and everyone who draws, from anywhere in the world. There are no restrictions on style, medium, or subject matter—only that the work is recognised as drawing by the distinguished selection panel.

• Up to three drawings may be submitted per applicant.

• Work can be 2D or 3D, traditional or experimental.

• The selection panel’s definition of drawing is deliberately broad. Their decision is final.

Entry Fees

*Student rate applies to those registered on an accredited programme of study, with a valid Student ID Number.

Note: Entry fees are non-refundable and cover administration costs.

The Two-Stage Selection Process

This is not a single digital judgement. The Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize is renowned for its rigorous, physical review process.

Stage 1: Digital Submission

• Submit high-quality digital images of your work(s) via the ArtOpps portal.

• The panel will review digital entries and select up to 800 drawings to proceed to Stage 2.

Stage 2: Physical Review

• If your drawing is selected from the digital round, you will be asked to deliver it to a UK Collection Centre (or directly to Trinity Buoy Wharf in London on specified dates).

• The Selection Panel will review the physical works “in the real” – without reference to CVs, statements, or other material.

• Approximately 70 drawings will be shortlisted for the exhibition and awards.

Important: Retention of Selected Works

If your drawing is shortlisted for the exhibition and awards, it will be retained from the point of selection throughout the duration of the exhibition tour – from 4 August 2026 until summer 2027.

Please ensure you are willing to part with the work for this extended period before entering.

The 2026 Selection Panel (Announced February 2026)

Confirmed panel members include:

• Anita Taylor RWA Hon – Founding Director

• Matthew Burrows MBE – Artist and Founder of the Artist Support Pledge

• Sook-Kyung Lee – Director of the Whitworth and Professor of Curatorial Practices at The University of Manchester

The full panel will be announced in February 2026.

Key Dates for Your Diary

How to Apply

Entries are managed exclusively through the ArtOpps Online Portal via the Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize dedicated page.

Three steps to enter:

1. Create your account on ArtOpps (or log in to your existing account).

2. Choose how many drawings to enter (max 3) and pay your entry fee by credit or debit card.

3. Complete the details for each artwork (title, dimensions, media) and upload high-quality digital images.

You will be asked to confirm acceptance of the Rules & Guidelines during registration. Read them carefully.

Practical Information

Venue for London exhibition:
Buoy Store, Trinity Buoy Wharf
64 Orchard Place, London E14 0JY

VIP Preview: Wednesday 16 September 2026, 6pm–8.30pm (Awards at 7pm)

Public opening hours: Daily 11am–6pm

Final Advice

The Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize is distinctive because it values drawing as a physical encounter. Digital reproduction is only the first filter; the real judgement happens when the panel stands before your actual work.

• Image quality matters. Ensure your digital submissions are sharp, colour-accurate, and well-lit.

• Framing and presentation count. For Stage 2, work will be viewed in person.

• Read the retention terms carefully. Selected works tour for up to a year.

Deadline: Tuesday 9 June 2026, 5pm.

If drawing is your medium—whether you are a student, an emerging artist, or an established practitioner—this is the open call to enter.

Apply HERE