UK &
International
Emerging Artist
Awards
PRIZE FUND
& KEY DATES
OVERALL
WINNER
Overall Winners Prize
£2,000 Prize
A financial award to support your artistic journey and upcoming projects.
Solo Show in London
Showcase your work in a dedicated solo exhibition in a leading London venue.
London Art Exhibition of Finalists
Exhibit your art at the iconic Minster Building, London
VAA Premium Annual Membership
Access benefits, professional resources, and expert support.
VAA Annual Mentorship Programme
Tailored support from VAA professionals to elevate your career.
VAA Momentum Programme
Build your creative business through focused development.
Certificate of Achievement
Official recognition of your artistic excellence and commitment.
Categories
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Painting
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Sculpture
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Drawing & Illustration
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Mixed Media, Collage & Printmaking
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Photography & Digital Art
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Student Artist
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Art Educator
Category Prizes
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£250 Cash Prize | Support for your artistic growth.
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VAA Premium Annual Membership | Exclusive resources.
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VAA Momentum Programme | Grow your creative business.
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London Art Exhibition of Finalists | Showcase your artwork.
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Additional Online Promotion | Extra exposure online.
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Certificate of Achievement | Recognition of excellence.
The Other Art Fair Prize 2026
TOAF Prize: A Live Group Portfolio Review
A live group portfolio review session for all Visual Art Open category winners, hosted by the TOAF team. The session will give up to eight winning artists direct feedback on their work from the people who select artists for one of the UK's most respected art fairs - offering genuine insight into the selection process and how their work lands in a commercial and curatorial context.
The session will run 45 to 60 minutes via Zoom.
Artists must submit five to ten images in advance before a set deadline in order to participate.
Date for Live review TBC.
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The Other Art Fair is a global art fair that connects independent artists with thousands of art buyers in a welcoming and creative environment. Set against the backdrop of the world's biggest cities, each Fair delivers the unexpected, combining access to boundary-pushing yet always-affordable artworks with immersive installations, performances, and unique features. The result is an inspiring, evocative, inclusive, and fun event that creates lasting connections between artists and art lovers. For more information, visit www.theotherartfair.com
Crane Kalman Brighton Gallery Prize 2026
The winner of the Photography & Digital Art Category will receive a one-to-one Portfolio Review Session with Crane Kalman Brighton Gallery Director Richard Kalman, providing invaluable guidance and insight from an established contemporary photography gallery.​
Date for Live review TBC.
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Crane Kalman Brighton Gallery is a contemporary photography gallery based in Brighton, presenting curated exhibitions of established and emerging photographic artists. It forms part of the Crane Kalman legacy, known for its focus on fine art photography and supporting meaningful engagement with the medium. For more information visit cranekalmanbrighton.com
theprintspace Prize 2026
A high-profile exhibition opportunity for Visual Art Open 2026 finalists in the Mixed Media, Collage & Printmaking and Photography & Digital Art categories, culminating in a dedicated group exhibition at theprintspace Shoreditch Gallery in May 2027, providing invaluable guidance and exposure from an established contemporary photography and print-focussed studio.
theprintspace is the UK’s leading fine art and photographic printing company, supporting artists with world-class print production alongside specialist marketing and promotional services. Since opening in 2007, it has become a trusted partner for artists internationally, helping to amplify visibility and professional reach across the contemporary art sector.
For more information, visit www.theprintspace.co.uk
FOLLOW.ART Prize 2026
All Visual Art Open 2026 finalists will receive access to 3 months of FOLLOW.ART Card - digital tool designed to help artists centralise their portfolio and share it with ease.
As part of the partnership, artwork labels within the VAO26 Finalist Exhibition will feature a QR code linked directly to each artist’s FOLLOW.ART Card. This ensures the connection between artist and audience continues beyond the exhibition space, giving visitors, collectors, and curators direct access to the artist’s contact details, wider portfolio, studio booking options, and the opportunity to offer financial support.
The Visual Art Open 2026 Overall Winner will receive 1-year free access to FOLLOW.ART Card.
FOLLOW.ART is a digital infrastructure for artists and curators to centralise their practice, present it clearly, and build networks around their work. It already connects more than 3,000 users across 100+ countries.
For more information, visit follow.art
EVERYONE CAN BE A PATRON
Admire the work → Scan QR → Support
Your support helps artists continue their practice and fund future projects.
FINALISTS PRIZE
All Finalists Will Receive
An invitation to exhibit your work among top finalists at the historic Minster Building for the London Art Exhibition of Finalists.
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Gain wider visibility through VAA’s digital platforms and partner networks with Additional Online Promotion.
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Receive official recognition of your artistic skill, dedication, and accomplishment with the Certificate of Achievement.
EVERY
ENTRY
All Submissions Will Receive
Featured Exposure Across Social Media Channels
Your work will be promoted to a growing community of art lovers, curators, and collectors across Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
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Email Promotion to Our 60,000+ Subscribers
Gain visibility through dedicated email campaigns reaching galleries, buyers, and art enthusiasts.
APPLICATION FEES
Showcase your talent, gain visibility, and be part of a vibrant community celebrating contemporary art. Whether you're an emerging voice or an established artist, the Visual Art Open offers a platform to elevate your practice.
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Standard Pricing
1 artwork – £20
2 artworks – £30
3 artworks – £40
4 artworks – £50
5 artworks – £60
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Student Artist & Art Educator Pricing
1 artwork – £8
2 artworks – £14
3 artworks – £20
4 artworks – £25
5 artworks – £30
Submission Deadline - Midnight 10th June 2026
Exclusive Extension - Midnight 14th June 2026
Longlisted Artists Announced - July 2026
Shortlisted Artists Announced - August 2026
Finalists Announced - August 2026
Winners Announced - October 2026
