The Artist Prize
Learn how you can start your submission here
Launched by Guy Armitage (Zealous) and Sally Shaw (Firstsite), The Artist Prize is a £30,000 open prize built on a simple belief: that accessibility and excellence are not in conflict, and that great art deserves recognition regardless of where you live, who you know, or what your background is.
If you are a UK-based artist aged 18 or over, working in any medium and at any stage of your career, this prize is open to you. Whether you are applying for the first time or have experience submitting to open calls, we want to make the process as clear and straightforward as possible.
That is why we have put together this collection of tools, tips and resources to support you through every stage of your application. From preparing your digital images to reading guidelines and understanding the judging criteria, everything here has been designed to help you put your strongest work forward.
Browse the resources below and take what is most useful for where you are in the process. We look forward to seeing your work.
Understanding Art Opportunity Guidelines: A Complete Guide for Artists
In this article, we’ll walk you through how to read art opportunity guidelines thoroughly and strategically, covering what to look for, what to watch out for, and the common mistakes that trip artists up at every stage of their career.
How To Prepare Artwork for Digitisation: A Guide for Artists
This guide takes you through everything you need to know to produce clear, accurate, and professional digital images, giving your work the best possible chance of making an impact.
How to Use Judging Criteria to Strengthen Your Art Submission
This guide will show you how to get the most out of the judging criteria for any artist prize or open call, so you can approach every submission with clarity and confidence.
Art Submission Tips: How To Make Your Work Stand Out
How do you make your art stand out when making a submission to open calls and art competitions? We asked five industry professionals with direct experience running and judging art competitions — here’s what they had to say.
How do Art Prize Judges make decisions? 4 Powerful Lessons
What do judges really look for in art prize submissions? Four experts who’ve judged major open calls including the John Moores Painting Prize, Lumen Prize, and an international craft award reveal what goes through their minds during deliberation and what they wish they knew about the selection process.
Judging on Zealous: What Every Applicant Should Know
This guide pulls back the curtain on how judging works on our platform. Whether you’re a first-time applicant or a seasoned creative professional, understanding our process will help you approach future opportunities with confidence and clarity.
