Our Annual Open is the RWA’s largest and longest established exhibition. Now in its 173rd iteration, the exhibition presents over 500 artworks from a wide range of disciplines each year. The exhibition features both established and emerging artists, as well as artists from our body of Academicians. 

Works are selected by an independent panel who assesses all submissions. The panel has information about the medium and makes decisions based on artistic merit.  

In 2024, in response to the continuing evolution of AI technologies, we worked in partnership with artists and academics from a range of disciplines and at varying career stages, to consider a position on AI which informs our terms and conditions for the Annual Open Exhibition.

Through discussion, we agreed that it is important to allow space for artists to respond to evolving technology. Artists may use AI in a variety of ways, from being part of a creative process to a more direct generation.  

We require transparency; artists must clearly state when AI has been used and are responsible for ensuring they hold the rights to any material involved. 

Our terms and conditions are explicit on rights. A common misconception is that AI can only generate images from other artists’ work. However, artists can and do use closed data sets that hold their own images. We share, understand and acknowledge the deep concerns about images rights which is why we articulated our terms to include confirmation of copyright on 'all rights, titles and interest in and to a work.' 

We support the Creative Rights Alliance’s (CRA) position. The CRA welcomes new technologies, such as AI, that enable humans to produce inspiring work whilst at the same time asking for transparency, upholding copyright and remuneration for creators.   

AI technologies are a complex and often emotive issue. Our position remains under ongoing review as this area evolves. For many artists, it is new too. In the past 5 years we have had two works out of around 20,000 entered which include an AI element. 

Our aim for our Open exhibitions is to present an open, fair, artist-led process, where artists are free to submit work using the medium they choose, and the selection panel retains independence in selecting work for exhibition.  

By taking part, artists not only share their work with thousands of visitors—they also help to sustain the RWA, an independent charity (charity number 1070163), enabling us to continue to welcome everyone to the RWA’s historically significant building and deliver transformational creative opportunities for people of all ages across Bristol and beyond.