Celebrating Excellence Across Artistic Disciplines

Visual Art Open 2025: Showcasing Talent Across Artistic Disciplines

The Visual Art Open (VAO) returns for 2025, continuing its mission to celebrate and support artists at all stages of their careers. As one of the UK’s leading art competitions, the VAO is dedicated to championing innovation, technical skill and unique creative voices. This year’s competition invites submissions across six dynamic categories, offering artists a platform to gain recognition, exhibit their work, and connect with a wider audience.

Explore the Categories for Visual Art Open 2025

Painting, Mixed Media & Printmaking

This category honours the enduring power of traditional and experimental techniques. Whether working in oils, acrylics, collage, or etching, artists in this category are invited to demonstrate their command of material and form. We welcome everything from classical realism to bold abstract statements, layered mixed media pieces, and finely detailed prints.

Illustration & Drawing

A celebration of line, texture and imagination. From hand-drawn illustrations to graphic storytelling, this category highlights the breadth of what can be achieved with pen, pencil, ink or digital stylus. It’s ideal for artists exploring narrative, design, and intricate mark-making.

Sculpture

Open to works in any medium or scale, the Sculpture category recognises artists engaging with three-dimensional space. From conceptual installations to figurative bronzes and experimental materials, we are seeking bold, tactile and thought-provoking pieces that redefine spatial boundaries.

Photography & Digital Art

This category embraces the evolving nature of lens-based and digital creativity. It’s open to photographers, digital illustrators, and artists working with AI, CGI or experimental digital techniques. Whether documenting the world or constructing entirely new ones, these works offer a contemporary lens on image-making.

Student Artists

A dedicated platform for emerging voices currently in education, the Student Artists category is designed to spotlight the next generation of creative talent. Open to all students aged 18 or over, this category supports experimentation, personal expression, and innovation at the formative stages of an artist’s career.

Whether you’re honing your practice within a foundation course or exploring your medium in postgraduate study, this is your opportunity to present your work to a wider audience, gain industry recognition, and build your professional artist profile.

This category is open to all students enrolled in an accredited educational programme, including but not limited to:

• Foundation Diploma in Art & Design

• Undergraduate Degrees

• Postgraduate Degrees

• Art School or Independent Art Programmes recognised by educational bodies

• Part-Time or Evening Course Students in accredited programmes

• International Students studying in the UK or abroad in equivalent qualifications

Art Educator

Recognising the vital role educators play in nurturing creativity and shaping the future of the arts, the Art Educator category celebrates those who balance the demands of teaching with an active artistic practice. This category acknowledges the passion, discipline and creativity of individuals who inspire others while continuing to evolve as artists themselves.

This category is open to all professionals engaged in art education who maintain a personal artistic practice, including:

• Primary and Secondary School Art Teachers

• College and Sixth Form Art Lecturers

• University and Art School Tutors

• Community Art Leaders and Workshop Facilitators

• Specialist Art Educators working in SEN, hospitals, or alternative learning settings

• Artist-Educators delivering outreach or public engagement programmes

• Freelance Art Instructors teaching privately or through cultural institutions

Whether you are teaching full-time in a classroom, leading workshops in your local community, or lecturing in higher education, your own creative output deserves recognition and support.

Why Enter the VAO 2025?

Winners and finalists will benefit from extensive exposure, cash prizes, and exhibition opportunities, as well as support and networking through the Visual Artists Association. Each category offers a chance to stand out within your medium, connect with fellow creatives, and gain recognition for your work.

Entries are open now. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the Visual Art Open 2025 – where creativity has no boundaries.

Enter Now: https://www.visualartopen.com/