1. The Prize

1.1 

The Artist Prize is a £30,000 open art prize recognising exceptional UK artists across all mediums and career stages. The Prize is co-founded by Guy Armitage (Zealous) and Sally Shaw (Firstsite).

1.2 

The prizes awarded are:

• Winner: £30,000 and a solo exhibition at Firstsite in 2028. The exact time to be confirmed based on Firstsite’s programme.
• Shortlist (20 artists): inclusion in a group exhibition at Firstsite (30 January 2027 to 16 May 2027), with shipping costs covered up to £1,000 per artist (covering both collection to Firstsite and return of work after the exhibition) as well as an artist fee of £350 per artist.
• Longlist (200 artists): national recognition via Prize communications.

1.3

The £30,000 prize is paid in two equal parts. Zealous will pay £15,000 to the winner by bank transfer within 28 days of the winner announcement. Firstsite will pay £15,000 to the winner by bank transfer within 28 days of the winner announcement. Both payments are made directly to the winner.

1.4

Prize money is subject to applicable taxes. It is the winner’s responsibility to account for and pay any tax due on the prize.

1.5 

The prizes are non-transferable and no cash alternative will be offered, except at the sole discretion of the Organisers.

1.6 

The prize fund of £30,000 is jointly committed by the Organisers prior to the opening of submissions, with each Organiser contributing £15,000. These funds are held separately from each Organiser’s general operating funds and are designated solely for the purposes of the Prize. In the event that either Organiser becomes insolvent, ceases to operate, or is otherwise unable to fulfil its financial obligations, the surviving Organiser has no obligation to cover the shortfall.

1.7 

The Prize may in future cycles carry the name of a title sponsor (for example, ‘[Sponsor Name] Artist Prize’). Any such sponsorship arrangement requires the written agreement of both Organisers and will not affect the independence of the judging process or the value of the prizes awarded. Entrants will be notified of any title sponsorship before or at the point of entry for the relevant cycle.

2. Eligibility

2.1 

The Prize is open to artists who meet all of the following criteria at the time of submission:

• Based in the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland).
• Aged 18 or over.
• The submitted work was created within the last two years of the submission deadline.

2.2 

The Prize is open to artists at all career stages. No formal qualifications are required.

2.3 

All visual art mediums are welcome, including but not limited to: Painting & Drawing; Photography & Printmaking; Sculpture & Installation; Digital, Video & New Media; Performance; and Mixed Media & Other.

2.4 

The following individuals are not eligible to enter:

• Employees and directors of Zealous and Firstsite.
• Members of any judging panel appointed for the Prize, and their immediate family members (spouse, partner, parent, sibling, or child).

2.5 

Works that have previously won other prizes remain eligible, provided the entrant retains copyright and all necessary rights in the work.

2.6 

The Organisers reserve the right to verify eligibility at any stage. Entries found to be ineligible will be disqualified and entry fees will not be refunded.

3. Entry Requirements and Submission

3.1

All entries must be submitted via the Zealous platform at zealous.co. Entries submitted by any other means (including by email, post, or hand delivery) will not be accepted.

3.2

Each work must be submitted as a separate entry. An entrant may submit multiple entries; each entry requires a separate entry fee.

3.3

Submissions must comply with the file type and size specifications published on the submission platform. Each submission may include up to five items (a combination of images, video, audio, or text). The first item must be the primary work; all other items are optional supporting materials. Film footage submitted as a primary work must be no longer than five minutes; if the work is longer, a trailer or excerpt should be submitted. Submissions that exceed platform limits will be disqualified. Technical guidance is available at zealous.co/help.

3.4

Artists submitting installation work must ensure their work is suitable for exhibition in Firstsite’s gallery space. Firstsite’s exhibition space can accommodate installations up to 3 metres in height, with a floor loading of 500kg/m². Artists whose installation exceeds or may exceed these dimensions must contact Firstsite at [email protected] before submitting to confirm suitability. The Organisers reserve the right to exclude an installation from the exhibition where the work cannot be accommodated within the available space.

3.5 

Each entry must be accompanied by a completed submission form, including responses to all required questions specified in the submission guidelines.

3.6 

Submissions on behalf of an artist by a third party (including a gallery, agent, or other representative) are permitted, provided that: (a) the third party is expressly authorised by the artist to submit on their behalf; (b) the artist is identified as the creator on the submission form; and (c) the artist remains the entrant for all purposes of these Terms and the third party accepts these Terms on the artist’s behalf. The Organisers may require evidence of authorisation at any stage.

3.6.1

Where a third party submits on behalf of an artist, the artist will be treated as the entrant for all purposes of these Terms, including the receipt of notifications and the right to receive any prize. The Organisers will, however, communicate routinely with the submitting third party during the application stage. In the event of any dispute between the artist and the submitting third party, the Organisers will deal exclusively with the named artist and may at their discretion suspend or withdraw the entry pending resolution of the dispute.

3.6.2

The submitting third party warrants that they have obtained the artist’s express authorisation to submit the work and to accept these Terms on the artist’s behalf and indemnifies the Organisers against any claim by the artist that authorisation was not given or was given in error.

AI-Generated Work

3.7 

The Artist Prize celebrates human artistic practice. Works are not eligible for entry where the artist’s creative contribution consists primarily of prompting, instructing, or selecting outputs from an artificial intelligence system, and where the visible content of the work is generated by that system without substantial further human authorship.

3.8

Works in which AI tools have been used as one element of the artist’s creative process are eligible, provided that the artist’s own creative intention, decision-making, and execution are the primary drivers of the work. Entrants whose work incorporates AI tools must disclose this on the submission form and explain the role AI played in the work’s creation. The Organisers reserve the right to require further information about the role of AI in the work’s creation and to exclude any entry where, in their reasonable opinion, the work does not demonstrate sufficient human authorship.

3.9 

The Digital, Video & New Media category welcomes work that critically engages with AI and technology as subject matter or medium, including work where AI tools play a significant role, provided the human artistic intent is primary and the work is disclosed as set out in clause 3.8.

Film, Video, Sound, and AV Works

3.10 

If your submitted work is film-based, video-based, sound-based, or requires AV equipment for display, you must declare this clearly on the submission form at the point of entry. Firstsite requires this information at the earliest opportunity to plan and budget for the necessary equipment. Failure to disclose AV or technical requirements at the submission stage may affect the ability to exhibit the work.

Withdrawing an Entry

3.11 

An entrant may withdraw an entry at any time before the close of submissions by following these steps or contacting [email protected] . Entry fees are non-refundable on withdrawal.

3.12 

After the submission deadline, withdrawal requests must be sent to [email protected]. The Organisers will endeavour to accommodate reasonable withdrawal requests before the Longlist is announced but cannot guarantee withdrawal after judging has commenced.

3.13 

A shortlisted artist who wishes to withdraw from the group exhibition must notify the Organisers in writing by 1 November 2026, or seven days from the date of the shortlist notification, whichever is later, by emailing [email protected]. Late withdrawal may affect the Organisers’ ability to find a replacement and may result in an empty exhibition space. Where a shortlisted artist withdraws after accepting their place, any costs already incurred by the Organisers in connection with that artist’s work (including shipping arranged on their behalf) may be recoverable from the artist.

3.14 

By submitting an entry, the entrant warrants that all information provided is accurate and complete.

3.15 

The submission window opens on 21 May 2026. The final deadline for entries is 16:00 (GMT) on 8 July 2026. A 24-hour technical buffer may be applied at the Organisers’ discretion; no extension beyond this will be granted.

4. Entry Fees

4.1 

Entry to the Prize is subject to payment of the applicable entry fee at the time of submission. The fee tiers are:

• Early Bird (21 May – 11 June 2026 at midday): £10 for one entry; £18 for two entries; £24 for three entries.
• Standard (11 June – 2 July 2026 at midday): £14 for one entry; £24 for two entries; £30 for three entries.
• Late (2 July – 8 July 2026 at midday): £18 for one entry; £30 for two entries; £39 for three entries.

4.2 

All fees are inclusive of VAT where applicable. Payment must be made via the Zealous submission platform. The Organisers cannot accept payment by any other method.

4.3 

Entry fees are non-refundable once submitted, except where required by law.

4.4 

Promotional codes may be issued at the Organisers’ discretion to make entry more accessible. Codes are subject to their own specific terms and may not be combined with other discounts. Codes are non-transferable and have no cash value.

4.5 

The Organisers are committed to accessibility. A limited number of free entries are available for artists who cannot afford the entry fee, on a first-come, first-served basis. Please email [email protected] with the subject “Request for a Free Entry for Artist Prize”.

4.6 

Revenue from entry fees is distributed between Firstsite (65%) and Zealous (35%), net of VAT and platform processing costs. These funds contribute to prize administration, the exhibition, the prize fund and Firstsite’s charitable objectives.

5. The Selection Process

5.1 

The selection process comprises four rounds:

Round 4 – Winner

The Shortlist panel selects the winner of the £30,000 prize and solo show from the 20 shortlisted artists during the group exhibition at Firstsite.

5.2

The judging criteria applied at Rounds 2, 3, and 4 are:

• Execution: how effectively the artist has realised their work, including craft, technical skill, and whether the work achieves what it sets out to do.
• Concept: the depth and clarity of the artistic idea, including intellectual rigour, emotional resonance, and development of the concept.
• Impact: the work’s power and significance. Does it create something greater than its parts? Does it feel urgent, relevant, or culturally important?

5.3

The decisions of the judging panels are final. The Organisers will not enter into correspondence regarding judging decisions at any round.

5.4 

The Organisers reserve the right to disqualify an entry at any round if they become aware of any breach of these Terms, any misrepresentation, or any conduct that could, in the Organisers’ reasonable opinion, damage the reputation of the Prize. Before exercising this right, the Organisers will notify the entrant in writing and give them a reasonable opportunity to respond, save where the conduct alleged is criminal, fraudulent, or otherwise so serious that immediate action is justified. The decision of the Organisers following any such process is final.

Judge Conflicts of Interest

5.5 

All judges are required to declare any actual or potential conflict of interest before or during the judging process. A conflict of interest includes but is not limited to: a personal or professional relationship with an entrant or with any gallery, agent, or representative submitting on the entrant’s behalf; having taught, mentored, or been represented by an entrant; or any financial interest in an entrant’s work or in any gallery representing the entrant.

5.6

Where a judge declares a conflict of interest in relation to a specific entry, that judge must recuse themselves from scoring or discussing that entry. The Organisers will record all declarations and recusals. Judges who fail to declare a known conflict may be removed from the judging panel at the Organisers’ discretion.

5.7 

The Organisers will take reasonable steps to identify potential conflicts before appointing judges but cannot guarantee that all conflicts will be identified in advance. The Organisers shall not be liable to any entrant for any decision made in connection with the management of a judge’s conflict of interest.

Judge Replacement

5.8 

If any appointed judge is unable to fulfil their judging duties for any reason, the Organisers reserve the right to replace that judge with an alternative judge of equivalent standing, or to proceed with the remaining judges. The Organisers’ decision on judge composition is final. The outcome of any judging round will not be invalidated solely by reason of a judge’s withdrawal or replacement.

Blind Judging

5.9 

Rounds 2 and 3 are judged blind. The names, locations, and any other identifying personal details of entrants are hidden from judges during scoring at these rounds. Judges assess entries solely on the submitted work and answers to specific questions in the form, without knowledge of who made the work or where they are based.

5.10

Round 4 is not blind. As the final panel judges works in person at the Firstsite exhibition, full attribution of works to artists is visible at this stage.

5.11

The Zealous platform removes entrant names and locations from the judging view for Rounds 2 and 3. As an additional precaution, entrants should not include their name, contact details, or any other identifying information within the body of their submitted files or artist statement, as this could compromise the integrity of blind judging.

Judge Contact After the Prize

5.12

Judges are curators and arts professionals from organisations across the UK. Where an entrant has given their consent on the submission form, the Organisers may share that entrant’s contact details with judges after the winner has been announced, to enable judges to get in touch about the entrant’s work. Contact details will never be shared with judges without the entrant’s prior consent. Entrants may withdraw their consent at any time by contacting [email protected].

6. Notification and Announcement

6.1 

Indicative notification dates are:

• Longlist notification: following the close of Round 2 judging, on or around 17 September 2026.
• Shortlist notification: following the close of Round 3 judging, on or around 7 October 2026.
• Winner announcement: during the group exhibition at Firstsite (30 January 2027 to 16 May 2027).

6.2 

Notifications will be sent to the email address provided at the time of submission. Entrants are responsible for ensuring their contact details are correct. The Organisers accept no liability for notifications not received due to inaccurate contact details or spam filtering.

6.3 

Entrants are not notified of the outcome of the Round 1 eligibility screen. Notifications are sent by email at the Longlist, Shortlist, and Winner stages. All entrants will be informed whether or not their work has progressed at each of these three stages. The Organisers do not have the resources to provide individual feedback on entries at any stage of the selection process.

6.4 

By entering, longlisted, shortlisted and winning artists consent to the announcement and promotion of their name, location, and work title across Prize communications. See also Section 8 (Intellectual Property and Publicity).

7. Exhibition, Loans, and Logistics

The Group Exhibition

7.1

The 20 shortlisted artists will be invited to exhibit their work in a group exhibition at Firstsite, Colchester. The exhibition runs from 30 January 2027 to 16 May 2027. The key dates for shortlisted artists are:

• 1 November 2026 — Deadline for confirmation of participation
• 15 November 2026 — Deadline for loan and insurance forms
• 15 November 2026 — Deadline for providing condition reports, instructions, audio, film, and files
• 14 December 2026 to 14 January 2027 — Delivery or collection of work
• 18 to 29 January 2027 — Installation period
• 17 May to 13 June 2027 — De-installation and return transport of work

7.2

Each of the 20 shortlisted artists will receive an artist fee of £300 for participating in the group exhibition. The fee is payable only to artists whose work is selected, delivered, and displayed at Firstsite for the duration of the exhibition. Artists who withdraw, or whose work is not displayed for any reason, are not eligible for the fee. The artist fee is payable directly to the artist who is the named entrant, regardless of whether the entry was submitted via a third party.

7.3

Firstsite is responsible for curating the group exhibition. Due to the scale and production timeline of the show and the number of artists involved, Firstsite will take curatorial decisions on the display and presentation of works. Each artist will be contacted to discuss how their work is displayed; preferences will be considered wherever reasonably practicable.

7.4

Participation in the group exhibition is a condition of being shortlisted. As the winner is selected by the judging panel during the exhibition period, all shortlisted artists must have their work present at Firstsite for the duration of the show. Artists who are unable to exhibit must notify the Organisers as soon as possible and, in any event, by 1 November 2026, or seven days from the date of the shortlist notification, whichever is later, by emailing [email protected]. The Organisers reserve the right to offer the place to an alternative artist if a shortlisted artist:

• Is unable to participate
• Fails to confirm participation by 1 November 2026, or seven days from the date of the shortlist notification, whichever is later.

Loan Forms, Insurance, and Condition Reports

7.5 

All shortlisted artists whose work is to be exhibited must complete and return both a Loan Form and an Insurance Consignment Form by 15 November 2026. Works cannot be covered by Firstsite’s insurance unless both forms are received in full by this deadline. Works for which the required forms have not been returned by the deadline will be exhibited at the artist’s own risk or may be withdrawn from the exhibition at Firstsite’s discretion.

7.6

Artists are responsible for valuing their own works and providing this valuation on the Insurance Form. The Organisers accept no responsibility for any loss, damage, or underinsurance arising from an inaccurate or incomplete valuation.

7.7

Condition reports and installation instructions (where applicable) must be provided by the artist by 15 November 2026 . This information enables Firstsite to handle and install works appropriately. Artists are encouraged to provide as much detail as possible about the installation and display requirements of their work.

Collection and Delivery

7.8 

Firstsite will arrange and pay for shipping of shortlisted works, up to a budget of £1,000 per artist covering both collection of the work from the artist to Firstsite and return of the work to the artist after the exhibition closes. Firstsite reserves the right to select the courier, route, packaging method, and consolidation arrangements to deliver works safely within budget. Artists must not arrange their own shipping or incur shipping costs without Firstsite’s prior written approval; costs incurred without approval will not be reimbursed. Where shipping costs are reasonably expected to exceed £1,000 (for example, due to the size, weight, or location of the work), Firstsite will discuss this with the artist in advance and agree how any excess will be covered.

7.9 

Works will be collected between 14 December 2026 and 14 January 2027. Artists must ensure their work is available for collection during this window. Collection will be arranged via courier on behalf of Firstsite, with specific dates agreed in advance with each artist.

7.10 

Artists should be aware that the collection and consolidation process may take several weeks, due to the number of works, courier availability over the Christmas and New Year period, and the need to consolidate works from multiple locations before delivery to Firstsite. Artists are asked to be flexible and to respond promptly to logistics communications.

7.11 

Works exhibited at Firstsite remain the property of the artist at all times. Firstsite’s insurance covers works from the point of arrival at Firstsite until the point of collection by the return courier. Works in transit (both to and from Firstsite) are covered by the appointed courier’s insurance, subject to the courier’s standard terms and the valuation declared at the point of booking. Artists are strongly recommended to maintain their own insurance for works loaned for exhibition, particularly during transit periods.

Film, Video, Sound, and AV Works: If Selected

7.12 

Shortlisted artists whose work is film-based, video-based, sound-based, or requires AV equipment must provide all required digital files (including film files, sound files, and any associated technical specifications) and loan forms by 22 November 2026. Failure to provide files by this date may result in the work being excluded from the exhibition. Film files must be provided in MPEG-4 format.

7.13 

Firstsite will make reasonable efforts to accommodate the technical requirements of film, video, and AV works within the available gallery budget and infrastructure. Where specific technical requirements cannot be met, Firstsite will discuss alternatives with the artist. Artists are encouraged to be flexible and to engage with Firstsite’s technical team as early as possible.

7.14 

Artists who did not declare AV or technical requirements at the submission stage (see clause 3.10) may not be able to have these requirements accommodated. Timely disclosure is essential.

The Winner’s Solo Show

7.15 

The winner of the £30,000 prize will be announced at a winner celebration event at Firstsite in March 2027 during the group exhibition. The winner is expected to attend this event in person where possible; the Organisers will notify the winner of the event details in advance.

7.16 

The winner must provide bank account details to the Organisers within 14 days of being notified of their win, to enable payment of the £30,000 prize. Failure to provide bank details within this period may delay payment. The Organisers will make reasonable efforts to contact the winner before treating the prize as forfeited.

7.17 

The winner’s solo show will take place at Firstsite in 2028. The format, dates, curatorial approach, and full logistics will be set out in a separate written agreement between the winner and Firstsite, to be concluded within a reasonable time following the prize announcement. The winner’s cooperation in planning the solo show in good time is a condition of the prize.

Works for Sale

7.18 

Works exhibited in the group exhibition and the winner’s solo show are not for sale through the exhibition. Firstsite does not facilitate sales or take commission on any transactions. However, artists’ contact details or professional profiles may be made available to interested visitors on request, at the artist’s discretion. Any sale arising from a viewer contacting an artist directly is a private matter between the artist and the purchaser; the Organisers accept no liability in connection with such transactions,

Photography and Filming at Events

7.19 

By participating in the group exhibition or the winner celebration event, shortlisted and winning artists consent to being photographed or filmed at those events for use in Prize communications and Firstsite’s marketing materials. Artists who have concerns about specific uses should contact [email protected].

8. Intellectual Property and Publicity

8.1 

Entrants retain full copyright and all other intellectual property rights in their submitted works at all times. Nothing in these Terms constitutes a transfer of copyright.

8.2 

By entering the Prize, entrants grant the Organisers a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide licence to reproduce, display, and communicate their submitted work (including artist name, title, and statement) for purposes directly related to the administration and promotion of the Prize. This includes use on the Prize website, in press releases, on social media, in print materials, and in connection with exhibitions associated with the Prize.

8.3 

By entering, shortlisted and winning artists also grant permission for their work and submitted images to be used in marketing materials, press releases, and exhibition promotion connected to The Artist Prize and Firstsite, including materials produced after the close of the Prize. The Organisers will always credit the artist by name.

8.4 

The licence granted in clauses 8.2 and 8.3 does not include the right to sell, commercially exploit, or license the work to third parties without the artist’s prior written consent.

8.5 

The display of works at exhibitions and events will be determined in consultation with the relevant artist. Shortlisted and winning artists will be consulted on the presentation of their work wherever practicable.

8.6 

The Organisers do not accept responsibility for the quality of third-party reproductions in Prize publications or marketing materials.

8.7

This Prize is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with any social media platform or technology provider through which it may be promoted (including but not limited to Meta, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or X). By entering, entrants acknowledge that all such platforms and providers are released from any liability arising from the Prize. All data collection and handling is conducted by the Organisers in accordance with Section 11 (Data Protection and Privacy).

9. Entrant’s Warranties and Indemnity

9.1 

The entrant is the sole creator and owner of the submitted work, or (in the case of a collective) is duly authorised to submit the work on behalf of all contributing artists, who are named in full on the submission form.

9.2 

The entrant has the full right and authority to grant the licences set out in Section 8.

9.3 

The submitted work is the entrant’s original work and does not infringe the copyright, moral rights, trademark rights, design rights, rights of privacy, or any other intellectual property or personal rights of any third party.

9.4 

The submitted work does not contain content that is unlawful, defamatory, obscene, offensive, harassing, threatening, harmful, or that would constitute or encourage a criminal offence.

9.5 

Where the work incorporates materials owned by third parties (including images, sound, or text), the entrant has obtained all necessary licences and permissions, or the use is permitted by law. Documentary evidence must be provided on request.

9.6 

Subject to the limits below, the entrant shall indemnify the Organisers, their employees, officers, and agents against direct losses, damages, liability, and reasonable legal costs arising from any breach of the warranties set out in this Section.

This indemnity:

(a) is limited to direct losses reasonably foreseeable as a consequence of the breach;

(b) does not extend to indirect, consequential, or punitive damages;

(c) does not apply to the extent that any loss is caused or contributed to by the Organisers’ own negligence or breach of these Terms; and

(d) does not exclude or limit any rights the entrant has under applicable consumer protection law.

9.7 

The Organisers reserve the right to remove any entry at any stage without liability if, in their reasonable opinion, the entry does not comply with these Terms or applicable law, or if the Organisers have reasonable concerns about the entrant’s conduct. The Organisers will provide written notice when exercising this right.

10. Liability

10.1

While “the Organisers” act jointly to deliver the Prize, responsibility for specific elements is allocated between them as follows:

• Zealous is responsible for the Zealous submission platform, including its availability, security, and the processing of entries and payments.

• Firstsite is responsible for the group exhibition and the winner’s solo show, including curation, installation, handling and care of works at Firstsite, exhibition insurance, and gallery-related logistics.

• The Organisers are jointly responsible for the £30,000 prize fund, with each Organiser contributing £15,000 as set out in clause 1.6.

Each Organiser is responsible for its own acts and omissions in respect of the elements allocated to it. Neither Organiser is liable for the acts or omissions of the other, except in respect of the joint prize fund commitment.

10.2 

The Organisers do not exclude or limit their liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot be excluded by law.

10.3 

Subject to clause 10.2, the Organisers accept no liability in relation to an entrant’s participation (or inability to participate) in the Prize, including without limitation any loss arising from technical failures, data transmission errors, or any circumstances beyond the Organisers’ reasonable control.

10.4 

If the Prize cannot be run as planned due to circumstances beyond the Organisers’ reasonable control (including but not limited to force majeure events, acts of God, civil unrest, public health emergencies, government restrictions, or failure of third-party infrastructure), the Organisers shall not incur liability and no prize will be awarded in respect of the affected element.

10.5

The Organisers will not be liable for technical failures affecting the submission platform that are beyond their reasonable control. In the event of a platform failure that prevents submission before the deadline, entrants should contact [email protected] as soon as possible, and the Organisers will use reasonable efforts to ensure affected entrants are not disadvantaged.

11. Data Protection and Privacy

11.1 

By entering the Prize, entrants consent to the collection and processing of their personal data by the Organisers for the purposes of administering the Prize, communicating with entrants, and fulfilling the Organisers’ obligations under these Terms.

11.2 

Personal data will be processed in accordance with the UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018. Please refer to the Prize Privacy Policy for more details.

11.3 

Submitted materials, including images, video, and artist statements, may be retained by the Organisers for archival and promotional purposes related to the Prize. Personal data will not be retained beyond the period necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, except as required by law.

11.4 

Entrant data will not be sold to third parties. Data may be shared with service providers engaged by the Organisers solely for the purposes of running the Prize (for example, payment processors and exhibition logistics providers), who are bound by appropriate data protection obligations.

11.5 

Entrants have the right to access, correct, or request deletion of their personal data. To exercise any data rights, please contact [email protected].

12. Complaints and Disputes

12.1

Any complaint or query relating to the administration of the Prize should be submitted in writing to [email protected] within 28 days of the event giving rise to the complaint.

12.2

The Organisers will acknowledge complaints within 5 working days and aim to resolve them within 28 days of receipt.

12.3

The decisions of the judging panels are final and are not subject to appeal.

12.4

Any dispute arising out of or in connection with the Prize that cannot be resolved through the Organisers’ complaints process will be referred to mediation before either party pursues any other remedy. The parties will attempt in good faith to agree on a mediator; if they cannot agree within 14 days, either party may request that a mediator be appointed by the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR). The costs of mediation will be shared equally between the parties unless otherwise agreed.

12.5

If a dispute cannot be resolved through mediation, it shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales. 

13. Accessibility

13.1 

The Artist Prize is committed to being genuinely open and accessible to all UK artists. The Organisers will make reasonable adjustments to support artists with disabilities or access needs who wish to enter the Prize.

13.2 

If you require an alternative submission format, assistance completing the application form, or any other reasonable adjustment to participate in the Prize, please contact [email protected] before the submission deadline. We will respond promptly and do our best to accommodate your needs.

13.3 

Artists who require an adjustment but are concerned about the cost of entry should also refer to clause 4.5 (free entry provision).

14. General

14.1 

These Terms constitute the entire agreement between the entrant and the Organisers in relation to the Prize.

14.2 

These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales.

14.3 

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unlawful, void, or unenforceable, that provision shall be deemed severable and shall not affect the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions.

14.4 

The Organisers reserve the right to modify or cancel the Prize at any time for reasons beyond their reasonable control. Where possible, entrants will be notified of any material changes via the Prize website and email. In the event of cancellation of the Prize as a whole before judging is complete, the Organisers will refund entry fees paid for affected entries.

14.5 

These Terms apply to the 2026 Prize cycle. Updated Terms for future cycles will be published on the Prize website in advance of each open submissions period.

14.6 

For technical support with your submission: zealous.co/help or [email protected].

14.7 

For questions about the Prize brief, eligibility, or selection: [email protected]

The Artist Prize is a collaboration between Zealous Solutions Limited and Firstsite. Zealous Solutions Limited is a company registered in England and Wales (company number 07612253). Firstsite is a registered charity (no. 1060461).

These Terms were last updated: May 2026.