Art prizes you can apply for in 2025
The reality for artists in London is pretty bleak right now. Here are a few awards, residencies, mentorships and other opportunities that could help.
The UK's arts sector is currently not in good shape. Unless you’re Damien Hirst or have a wealthy benefactor, you’re pretty screwed. According to a report commissioned by the Design & Artists Copyright Society (DACS) last year, the median income for visual artists is now £12,500 annually. Despite London's many world-renowned art colleges, experts predict this unliveable wage will only create a bigger creative brain drain, as graduates and working artists leave the country in search of more liveable conditions.
Still, while there is no replacement for government intervention, cheap studio spaces and a manageable cost of living, there are a number of prizes, residencies and mentorships that can help. After all, an award or other form of institutional support can be that leg up you really need.
So, in the same vein as our fashion and photography resource lists, we’ve put together a handful of opportunities in the fine art world. It’s scary out there, so we’ve focused on awards with as few barriers to entry as possible. These offer both cash prizes as well as other forms of support because sometimes, cold hard cash isn’t quite enough to make a career – you also need to find the right audience.
Gilchrist Fisher Award
The Gilchrist-Fisher Award, established in 1987 in memory of Alasdair Gilchrist-Fisher, celebrates his love of life and landscape painting. Open to artists under 30, it recognises work exploring the theme of ‘landscape’. Originally a painting prize, it now accepts all media except video and installation. Past winners include Peter Doig and Angela Hughes.
Entry fee: Free
Deadline: 23rd May 2025
More info here
Drawing Year at the Royal Drawing School
Whilst not a prize per se, the Royal Drawing School offers this completely free one year postgraduate course every year at the Royal Drawing School in London. Successful applicants are judged on the basis of their work rather than their experience but require two referees to enter.
Entry fee: Free.
Deadline: 2nd April 2025
More info here