RWA 172 Annual Open Exhibition – Call for Submissions
Deadline extended to 30 June 2025
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, 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 and sell their work in the RWA’s stunning Grade II*-listed galleries.
Why Enter?
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A Respected Platform – Join a legacy of artists, including Vanessa Bell, David Hockney, Peter Blake, Mary Fedden, and Sir Frank Bowling.
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Reach a Wide Audience – Showcase your work to curators, collectors, and art enthusiasts.
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A Chance to Sell Your Work – The exhibition attracts prominent art buyers, who are looking to add new and exciting work to their collections
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Diverse Media Welcome – We accept painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, sculpture, digital art, mixed media, architecture, textile and more.
Key dates
- Submissions open: 10 April 2025
- Submissions close: 30 June 2025 (extended deadline)
- Results announced: 21 July 2025
- Hand-in days for selected artworks: 16 August, 17 August, 18 August 2025
- Private View and Varnishing Day: 5 September 2025
- Exhibition open: 6 September 2025
- Exhibition Closes: 4 January 2026
How to Submit
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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 prices: £22 per item, max three items
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.
Who are the judges?
Anna Gillespie RWA
Hamish Young VPRWA
Jemma Gunning RWA
Fiona Robinson PRWA
Ros Cuthbert RWA
Plus our external selectors:
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
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
For further questions, contact us at: exhibition@rwa.org.uk
The 172 Annual Open Exhibition is sponsored by Hive Financial Planning
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RWA 172 Annual Open Exhibition – Call for Submissions
Deadline extended to 30 June 2025
Be part of one of the UK’s leading open exhibitions!