Victoria & Albert Museum
Free to Apply
Closing: 5th January ’26
The V&A Illustration Awards, established in 1972, is the UK’s most prestigious biennial illustration competition reflecting the contemporary UK illustration scene. The Awards welcome published work by UK residents or those resident anywhere in the world working for UK clients. Categories include Adult Fiction, Adult Factual, Illustration for Children, Advertising and Commercial, and Emerging Illustrator (for UK resident unpublished artists over 18, or those who studied on UK college courses in 2024 and/or 2025). Entrants can upload up to eight image files for each entry, or supply a link to/upload a one-minute video submission and five image files. Five category winners each receive £3,500 and five runners-up receive £1,000. The overall winner, the Moira Gemmill Illustrator of the Year, receives an additional £5,500 and their work becomes part of the V&A’s collections. Winners and runners-up will be announced in summer 2026, with their work displayed in a dedicated curated display within the V&A.