One way to bust artist’s block and keep yourself busy making art is to submit your work to the many juried events and exhibitions in the UK and beyond! A selection of competitions are listed below, many of them awarding substantial prizes for work in 2-D (painting, drawing, print-making, etc.), 3-D (sculpture, installation, etc.), film/video, photography, etc. Most charge a small fee to enter (which often covers administration costs), and should your work be selected, the rewards vary from cash to commissioned work along with the chance to join an exhibition and be included in critical write-ups.
Let me know if you think there are some opportunities that could be added to this list!
Also, click the link to read more practical info about applying to open calls.
Selected London-based art prizes, commissions, etc. (by deadline date)
* NOTE: These events/open calls are for emerging artists such as those under a certain age, final year BFA/BA/MFA/MA students and/or recent graduates only.
** For the Ashurst Art Prize, early entries received can get feedback from their experts
Also keep an eye on these websites…
There are a number of art-related websites, too, where other opportunities are listed on a regular basis, including residencies, projects, collaborations, exhibitions, events, talks, and more.
And let’s not forget the art fairs…
| Biennials | Links | Dates |
| Documenta – Kassel, Germany | http://www.biennialfoundation.org/biennials/documenta/ | 5 yrs |
| Manifesta – European cities | http://manifesta.org/ | even years |
| Nour Festival – London, UK | https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/subsites/nour.aspx | odd years |
| Qalandiya International Biennial – Palestine | http://www.qalandiyainternational.org/ | even years |
| Sharjah Biennale – Dubai, UAE | http://www.sharjahart.org/ | odd years |
| Shubbak Festival – London, UK | http://www.shubbak.co.uk/ | odd years |
| Venice Biennale – Venice, Italy | http://www.labiennale.org/en/Home.html | odd years |
| Annuals | Links | Dates |
| Affordable Art Fair – Battersea, London | http://affordableartfair.com/battersea/ | Mar |
| Art Basel – Basel Germany; Miami; Hong Kong | https://www.artbasel.com/ |
Jun; Dec; Mar |
| Frieze – London, UK | http://friezelondon.com/ | Oct |
| London Art Fair – London, UK | http://www.londonartfair.co.uk/ | Jan |
| Other Art Fair – London, UK | http://www.theotherartfair.com/ | Apr |
| Parallax – London, UK | http://parallaxaf.co/ | Feb |
| SOFA – Chicago, IL | http://www.sofaexpo.com/ | Nov |
