The VAO art competition is currently running in its Sixth consecutive year and is open to both amateur and professional artists.
The primary goal of the awards is to reveal and establish artists' profiles in the contemporary art world.
Prize Fund Worth £8,000
Overall Winner Receives:
-
Cash prize
-
Certificate
-
Solo Show at Deepbridge Chester Arts Fair
-
Annual Mentorship Programme
-
International Online Global Art Exhibition of Finalists
-
Free Career Development Talks
-
20% Discount with Cass Art
All Category Winners Receives:
-
£250 cash prize
-
Certificate
-
Finalists will be exhibited at Deepbridge Chester Arts Fair
ALL SUBMISSIONS will receive promotion on social media and email coverage to 50,000, plus an invitation to the annual show.




Key Dates VAO21
1st October 2020 - Phase 1 Applications Open
15th December 2020 - Phase 1 Applications Close
8th January 2021 - Phase 2 Applications Open
15th March 2021 - Phase 2 Applications Close
Phase 3 - Dates to be Announced
Monday 30th August 2021- Shortlisted Artists Announced
Monday 27th Sept 2021- Finalists Announced
Friday 12TH - 14th November 2021 - Finalists Exhibition at Deepbridge Chester Arts Fair & 2021 Winner Announced
Categories
There are five key categories for entrants to apply to:
-
Painting & Mixed Media & Printmaking
-
Illustration & Drawing
-
Sculpture
-
Photography / Digital Art
-
Young Artist (16 - 24 years old)
