Submissions for the RWA Annual Open Exhibition 171 are now OPEN!

Entries for this highly anticipated open exhibition take place through the OESS portal. Click here to be taken to the applications portal and submit now!

Every year The Royal West of England Academy holds an Annual Open Exhibition, which is now in its 171st year. We welcome all kinds of artwork and expect to include painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, film, sculpture and architecture by artists ranging from leading professionals to emerging talent, from across the UK and beyond.

A selection panel assesses every entry and last year 665 works by 455 artists made it into the final exhibition. The RWA Annual Open is the largest open in the South West. All work is for sale and the exhibition attracts art-lovers and art-buyers from far and wide.

Key dates for RWA Annual Open 171

• Submission open: Friday 26 April 2024, midday
• Entry Deadline: Sunday 7 July 2024, 23:59
• Results Live: Monday 22 July 2024
• Hand-In days: Friday 23 August, 1 - 4pm, Saturday 24, Sunday 25, Monday 26 August 2024, 10am - 4pm
• Varnishing Day event: Friday 13 September, daytime
• Private View: Friday 13 September, evening
• Exhibition Open to Public: 14 September 2024 – 5 January 2025

Submission fees are charged per item:

• £22 per item for General Public (£18.33+VAT)
• £16.50 per item for Students (£13.75+VAT)
• £16.50 per item for Friends of the RWA (£13.75+VAT)
• £11.00 per item for RWA Artist Network members (£9.17+VAT)
• RWA Academicians (who pay an annual subscription fee) receive free submission.

Click here to be taken to the OESS site and submit your work now!

Image top: 170 Annual Open Exhibition, installation view, RWA, 2023. Photo: Alice Hendy.