The Artist Prize celebrates artists from across the UK, irrespective of medium, location, background and connections.
We believe there are better ways of recognising artistic excellence in the UK. We’re building an alternative model based on the following principles:
Open
Great artists can come from anywhere, but opportunities often don’t. This is why the prize is open to anyone at any stage of their journey, with your work judged solely on its quality and intention by curators from across the UK.
Transformative
Twenty shortlisted artists get their work exhibited at Firstsite, a gallery that’s hosted some of the UK’s biggest names. The winner receives £30,000 and a solo show. We’re also exploring ways to create tangible impact for everyone who submits.
Transparent
We’re building the best possible prize, but we’re the first to admit no prize is perfect. That’s why we’ll share the reasoning behind key decisions we make and remain responsive to your feedback.
Sustainable
The public institutions that support artists have faced stark economic realities. Their survival is essential for future generations, giving artists the space to explore and develop their craft. This prize was built to be financially sustainable and to support the institutions that support artists.
Open Source
We’ll share the full prize model publicly so regional galleries across the UK can replicate it. This isn’t just about one prize, it’s about building sustainable infrastructure that can support thousands of artists nationally.
Impactful
The prize captures the current state of the UK arts sector through submission data. We’ll compile an impact report shared openly with everyone, creating insights that can help improve the ecosystem for all artists and institutions.
Who we are
The East of England’s leading contemporary art gallery. Free to visit, open to everyone, and named Art Fund Museum of the Year 2021. Dedicated to making art and creativity accessible to all communities. Find out more about Firstsite
A submissions management platform built to make opportunities more accessible – helping institutions run open calls, awards and competitions, and helping artists find and apply to the ones that matter. Find out more about Zealous