RWA 172 Annual Open Exhibition
06 Sep 2025 - 28 December 2025
The RWA Annual Open Exhibition is one of the UK’s most prestigious open-submission exhibitions, welcoming artists at all stages of their careers. Now in its 172nd year, this highly anticipated event provides a platform for emerging and established artists to exhibit their work in the RWA’s stunning Grade II*-listed galleries.
Buy Art from the exhibition
All works are available for sale in the building or via our online shop. artwork at the RWA - ask at the Welcome Desk. Interest free payments plans are available through our Own Art scheme.
Key Dates
- Exhibition open: 6 September 2025
- Exhibition Closes: 28 December 2025
Invited artist
This year we are pleased to weclome Maria Lalić’ as the 172 Annual Open Invited artists. Maria's three areas of painting arecolour: with material in the ‘Colour and Metal’ paintings, with time in the ‘History Paintings’ and with place in the ‘Landscape Paintings’. She lives and works in the West Country and her work can be found in major collections including Tate and the V&A.
Annual Open Prizes:
Each year we present awards to featured artists in the annual open.
Who are the judges?
RWA Academician artists:
Ros Cuthbert RWA, Anna Gillespie RWA, Jemma Gunning RWA, Fiona Robinson PRWA, Hamish Young VPRWA
And external selectors:
Dr Harold Offeh, artist and Head of Programme in MA Contemporary Art Practice, Royal College of Art
Prof. Anita Taylor RWA (Hon), Dean of Duncan and Jordanstone College of Art and Design, University of Dundee and Founder Director of Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize
David Trigg, writer, critic and art historian
The prizes
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The Academy Award, sponsored by the RWA and RWA Academicians | Awarded to an outstanding work in any medium that has particularly appealed to the selectors (not open to RWA Academicians) | Prize: £3000
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The Steele Art Prize, awarded by Tony Steele | Awarded to work reflecting contemporary society, saying things about people or place and what’s going on around us or in the world | Prize: 2 x £2000
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Niche Print Makers Award, sponsored by Niche Frames | Awarded to any work using printmaking techniques | Prize: £250 in printing and framing, and £250 cash
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The Drawing Prize, sponsored by Fiona Robinson PRWA | Awarded to any drawing | Prize: £300
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The Painting Prize, sponsored by Derek Balmer PPRWA | Awarded to any painting | Prize: £300 and a copy of Derek Balmer: A Singular Vision, by Andrew Lambirth
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The Floating Circle Prize, sponsored by Friends of the RWA | Awarded to a student | Prize: Interview to be featured in Floating Circle magazine, as well as a £250
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Watercolour Award 1st Prize, sponsored by Consumer Intelligence. | Awarded to any watercolour painting | Prize: £250 cash
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Cass Art Award, sponsored by Cass Art | Prize: £150 Cass Art gift voucher, a solo show in the Bristol Artspace plus a feature on the Cass Art blog
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Evolver Magazine Cover Award, sponsored by Evolver Magazine | Awarded to any work | Prize: A cover image for the November/December issue of Evolver magazine
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Evolver Magazine Feature Award, sponsored by Evolver Magazine | Awarded to any artist | Prize: A feature article in the November/December issue of Evolver magazine
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The PJ Crook Prize for Narrative Figurative Painting | £1000 prize has been generously donated by the renowned painter and sculptor Dr. PJ Crook MBE RWA FRSA
For further questions, contact us at: exhibition@rwa.org.uk
The 172 Annual Open Exhibition is sponsored by Hive Financial Planning and Abode
Artwork: Chelsea Cut (2025), Khana Evans
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