
RWA 172 Annual Open Exhibition – Call for Submissions
Submissions Open: 10 Apr - 16 Jun 2025
eSubmissions Open: 10 April 2025
Deadline: 16 June 2025
Exhibition Dates: 6 September 2025 – 4 Jan 2026
Showcase Your Work in One of the UK’s Leading Open Exhibitions
The RWA Annual Open Exhibition is one of the UK’s most prestigious open-submission exhibitions, and as the name suggests welcomes all artists at all stages of their careers. With a rich history spanning over 170 years, this highly anticipated event, now in its 172nd year, provides a platform for emerging and established artists to exhibit and sell their work in the RWA’s stunning Grade II*-listed galleries.
Why Enter?
-
A Respected Platform – Join a legacy of artists, including Vanessa Bell, David Hockney, Peter Blake, Mary Fedden, and Sir Frank Bowling.
-
Reach a Wide Audience – Gain exposure to curators, collectors, and art enthusiasts.
-
A Chance to Sell Your Work – The exhibition attracts art buyers, with many works sold each year.
-
Diverse Media Welcome – We accept painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, sculpture, digital art, mixed media, architecture, textile and more.
Key Dates & Entry Process
Online Submissions Open – 10 April 2025
Submission Deadline – 16 June 2025
Selection Process – A panel of respected artists, curators, and critics (tbc) will review all entries.
Shortlisted Artists Notified – 21 July 2025
Exhibition Opens – 6 September
How to Submit
Step 1: Prepare high-quality digital images of your work.
Step 2: Complete the online submission form.
Step 3: Pay the submission fee and upload your artwork.
Submission Fees: Coming soon
Submit: opening soon
Ts&Cs coming soon
FAQs and demo pages coming soon
Who can enter?
Any artist aged 18+ can submit, regardless of location.
How many works can I submit?
Artists may submit up to 3 works
What happens if my work is selected?
You will be contacted with delivery instructions and exhibition details.
For further questions, contact us at: exhibition@rwa.org.uk
The 172 Annual Open Exhibition is sponsored by Hive Financial Planning
Newsletter
Sign up to our newsletter to keep up to date with RWA news
Related
Paule Vézelay: Living Lines
25 January - 27 April 2025
Discover the pioneering modernist Paule Vézelay, a Bristol-born, internationally important figure in 20th-century art.
RWA Biennial Open 2025: Paper Works
25 Jan – 27 Apr 2025
Discover the limitless possibilities of paper in the RWA Biennial Open: Paper Works. With invited artist, Ian McKeever RA.
Soft Power: lives told through textile art
17 May - 10 August 2025
Curated by Alice Kettle and Lesley Millar, an exhibition celebrating the skills and craftsmanship of textile artists and the art of storytelling.
Four Seasons
11 March - 27 April 2025
New works exploring the nature of painting, time, seasonal cycles and beauty