Artists & Illustrators is back with The British Art Prize 2026 – and this year’s prizes are bigger than ever.
With a prize fund worth over £10,000, a solo exhibition at a major London gallery, and a six-page feature in the magazine, this international art competition offers unprecedented national exposure for amateur, emerging and professional artists alike.
Deadline: Friday 7 August 2026, 5pm.
What Is The British Art Prize?
The British Art Prize is a major international art competition open to everyone – whether you’re an amateur, emerging or professional artist. All styles, media* and techniques will be considered.
Winning artists gain access to a far-reaching platform for valuable publicity and recognition, with a combined audience of almost one million art lovers and collectors.
Shortlisted artists will be included in an exhibition at the prestigious OXO Gallery on London’s South Bank (21–25 October 2026) and invited to a private view reception on 22 October 2026 alongside artists, collectors and VIP guests.
Works generated by AI will not be considered.
Who Can Enter?
| Criterion | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Open to artists worldwide |
| Career stage | Amateur, emerging or professional |
| Age | Open to all (under-18 applicants require further details) |
| Media | Paintings, drawings, textile, prints, mixed media (no AI, no giclée reproductions, no copies of works in other media) |
| Collaborative works | Accepted |
| Maximum entries | Up to 20 works |
Artwork Specifications
| Criterion | Detail |
|---|---|
| Maximum dimensions | 275cm x 275cm total (including frame) |
| Maximum projection | 50cm from the wall |
| Originality | Artist must hold all rights to the work |
Note: Diptychs/triptychs count as a single artwork but must fit within the total dimensions.
Entry Fees
| Entry | Fee |
|---|---|
| First artwork | £24 |
| Each additional artwork | £19 |
Artists may enter up to 20 works.
The Prizes – Worth Over £10,000
| Prize | Award |
|---|---|
| First Prize | £2,000 cash + solo exhibition at Panter and Hall’s Cecil Court Gallery + STAEDTLER art materials bundle + six-page feature in Artists & Illustrators |
| Second Prize | £500 cash + £750 Derwent art materials voucher + inclusion in winners’ special issue (10-page editorial) |
| Third Prize | £750 Royal Talens art materials voucher + inclusion in winners’ special issue |
| The Raw Umber Studios Prize for Portraiture | £750 cash + inclusion in winners’ special issue |
| Clairefontaine People’s Choice Award | £1,000 worth of Clairefontaine products + six-page feature in a future issue |
All winning works will also be displayed at the OXO Gallery exhibition (21–25 October 2026).
The Selection Panel
| Selector | Background |
|---|---|
| Estelle Lovatt | Art critic and broadcaster |
| Gary Armer | Artist and curator |
| Kate Garner | Artist and photographer |
| Kelvin Okafor | Hyperrealist artist |
| Sarah J Moon | Artist |
| Tiffany Panter | Director, Panter and Hall Gallery |
| Neil Davidson | Editor, Artists & Illustrators |
| Niki Browes | Editorial Director, Artists & Illustrators |
Selection Process
The selection process is split into two stages to form a shortlist of up to 75 works and the prize winners.
Public Vote:
The shortlist and the People’s Choice Award will be decided by a public vote going live online on 25 September 2026.
We ask that all artists understand, if selected, that public promotion should be delayed until the shortlist and the People’s Choice Award is live.
Exhibition at OXO Gallery
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Venue | OXO Gallery, South Bank, London |
| Exhibition dates | 21–25 October 2026 |
| Private View | 22 October 2026 (artists, collectors, VIP guests) |
| Winners’ Edition | 23 October 2026 |
Key Dates
| Online submission deadline | Friday 7 August 2026, 5pm |
|---|---|
| People’s Choice Award vote live | 25 September 2026 |
| Delivery of selected work | 6–8 October 2026, 10am–4pm |
| Artists & Illustrators Winners’ Edition | 23 October 2026 |
| Exhibition open to public | 21–25 October 2026 |
| Collection of unsold work (from OXO) | 26 October 2026 |
| Collection of unsold work | 27, 28, 29 October 2026 |
International applicants: Please email if you have any questions regarding delivery.
How to Apply
Steps:
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Press ENTER NOW on the British Art Prize page.
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Complete all seven steps of the registration process.
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Once registered and paid, log in and upload digital images of your artwork.
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Answer questions about your works.
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Click Save and Finish to complete your entry.
You may edit your entry up until the deadline.
Why Enter?
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Solo exhibition at a major London gallery – Panter and Hall’s Cecil Court Gallery (First Prize)
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Massive prize fund – over £10,000 in cash, materials and vouchers
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Magazine exposure – six-page feature in Artists & Illustrators
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OXO Gallery exhibition – shortlisted artists shown on London’s South Bank
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Public vote – your work seen by nearly one million art lovers
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International reach – open to artists worldwide
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All levels welcome – amateur, emerging and professional
Final Checklist
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Is your work original (no AI, no giclée reproductions)?
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Does it fit within 275cm x 275cm (including frame)?
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Does it project no more than 50cm from the wall?
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Have you paid the correct entry fee (£24 first work / £19 each additional)?
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Have you completed all seven registration steps?
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Have you uploaded your images and clicked Save and Finish?
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Can you deliver selected work to London between 6–8 October 2026?
The British Art Prize 2026
Over £10,000 in prizes | Solo exhibition at a major London gallery | Six-page feature in Artists & Illustrators
Exhibition at OXO Gallery: 21–25 October 2026
Open to artists worldwide – all styles, media and techniques
Deadline: Friday 7 August 2026, 5pm
Artists & Illustrators – the UK’s best-selling magazine for artists. The British Art Prize: exposing winning artists to a far-reaching platform for publicity and recognition.
