The Artist Prize
We are excited to share that our Director, Elaine Midgley, has been invited to be on the National Selection panel for The Artist Prize. The Artist Prize is a new, open submission art prize, that recognises artists from all over the UK, regardless of their chosen artform, their location, background or connections.
Elaine will be scoring submissions online alongside curators from across the country – the idea is that no single taste dominates, and the 200-artist longlist represents a genuinely broad view of contemporary UK practice. The top 200 will then be reviewed by a final panel, with 20 selected works to be exhibited at Firstsite, a leading contemporary art gallery in Colchester. Announced in March 2027, one work will win the £30,000 prize and a solo show.
Elaine said: “We see so many talented artists in the course of our work and there are not enough opportunities for their work to be seen and their talent recognised. I am really pleased to be part of The Artist Prize, supporting and celebrating creativity in all forms. It will be fascinating to see what comes out of this innovative process.”
The Artist Prize was launched only a few weeks ago by Zealous, a submissions management platform, and Firstsite, the East of England’s contemporary visual arts organisation and Art Fund Museum of the Year 2021. This Prize introduces a new model of art award, removing traditional barriers such as cost, connections, or formal training.
Guy Armitage, Founder and CEO of Zealous, said, “The next major artists of our generation are already out there, working, waiting for someone to look. The Artist Prize is how we look.”
Submissions are now open until the final closing date on 8th July 2026.
Find out more about the Prize and how to submit your work:
