ELIGIBILITY

Who can enter the Visual Art Open?
The competition is open to both amateur and professional artists working in any medium.

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Are there age restrictions to entering the prize?
Yes – all entrants must be aged 14 or over at the time of submission. Please read the Terms and Conditions before applying.

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Can I enter if I am not a trained artist?
Yes – we welcome applications from artists at all levels, regardless of formal training.

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Can I enter under a different name?
Yes. Artists may use a pseudonym or exhibiting name.​

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Terms and Conditions

Please carefully read the full Terms and Conditions before entering the Visual Art Open.

SUBMISSION PROCESS

What is the submission procedure?
Please read the full instructions on how to apply below, along with the Terms and Conditions. Then complete the application form. Once submitted, your application will be processed within five working days. A confirmation email will be sent to the address you provided.

If you do not receive confirmation, please email us at info@visualartopen.com.

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How many works can I submit?
You may enter up to five artworks.

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How many images per artwork can I upload?
You may upload a maximum of five images per submission using the online form.

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When do I submit my images?
Images must be uploaded as part of the online application. If you have trouble doing so, please contact us.

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Can I change my contact details after submission?
Yes – if your email address, phone number or postal address changes after submitting your application, please let us know so we can update your information.

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ENTRY FEES

How much does it cost to enter?

The standard entry fee is £20 for one artwork, with an additional £10 per artwork thereafter (up to five artworks total).

St udent artists receive a discounted rate: £8 for one artwork, with £6 per additional artwork (proof of student status required).

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1 Artwork    =  £20

2 Artworks  =  £30

3 Artworks  =  £40

4 Artworks  =  £50

5 Artworks  =  £60

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Student Artist / Art Educator*

1 Artwork    =  £8

2 Artworks  =  £14

3 Artworks  =  £20

4 Artworks  =  £25

5 Artworks  =  £30

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*Subject to proof of status on submission​  

JUDGING & COMPETITION PHASES

How are artworks judged?
All works are judged anonymously by our panel of esteemed jurors. The judging panel receives only the artwork title, size, medium, and description – artist names are not disclosed. Judges are looking for originality, technical skill, creativity, and a clear artistic vision. You can view the full judging criteria here.

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Who are the judges and how are they selected?
Jurors are selected by the Visual Artists Association (VAA) and may include artists, writers, curators, collectors, and art critics from the international contemporary art scene.

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Why is the competition run in three phases?
The Visual Art Open is divided into three phases each year for administrative purposes. All entries are judged equally regardless of the phase in which they are submitted.

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When will I hear if my application is successful?
Due to the high volume of submissions, we are only able to notify artists who are Longlisted, Shortlisted, selected as Finalists and Winners. Notifications will be sent by email. Please refer to the Key Dates here for announcement schedules.​

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PRIZES

What are the prizes for the Visual Art Open 2026?

The Visual Art Open 2026 has a £10,000 prize fund. You can view the full details of the prizes here.

ARTWORK REQUIREMENTS

How recent must the work be?
We recommend submitting new or recent work, ideally created within the last three years.​
 

Are works that have been created using AI eligible?

AI-generated artwork is not eligible for entry into the VAO competition. All submitted work must be created by the artist through their own original, manual process. Submissions that rely on artificial intelligence tools for image generation or significant content creation will not be accepted.

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Do I need to frame my artwork?
If you are selected as a finalist and your work requires framing for display, you will be responsible for arranging this prior to the final exhibition. All work must be exhibition ready.

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EXHIBITION & SALES

Does my work need to be for sale?

Yes – if selected as a finalist, you will be invited to showcase your work at the Visual Art Open Finalists Exhibition. Any works sold for finalists at the exhibitions will incur a 40% commission. The Visual Art Open team will manage all sales exclusively for the duration of the exhibition.

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Where will the Visual Art Open Finalists Exhibition take place?

The Visual Art Open Finalists Exhibition will be held at the iconic Minster Building, London.

 

When is the Private View for exhibitors?
Finalists will be contacted directly with details regarding the Private View and exhibition dates.

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What happens if my work is sold?
You will be notified by a member of the VAO team. After the exhibition concludes, we will arrange payment and coordinate collection of the work with the buyer.

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Will I be told who purchased my work?
Yes – unless the buyer has requested anonymity, their name will be shared with you.

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If you have any other questions, please email us at info@visualartopen.com.