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CuratorSpace | Project management tools for curators and artists

Artefacts of the Future

Deadline: 01/07/2026

City: Stourbridge  |  Region: West Midlands  |  Country: United Kingdom  |  Helen Taylor

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A new international competition celebrating excellence in contemporary glassmaking

Stourbridge Glass Museum has launced the Artefacts of the Future Awards, a new international competition celebrating excellence in contemporary glassmaking.

A Prize Fit for the Future

Four winning artists will each receive:

  • £1,000 acquisition prize (inclusive of materials, production, and delivery).
  • A commemorative trophy.
  • An official certificate recognising their work as an Artefact of the Future Award winner.
  • Each winning piece will be acquired for the museum's permanent collection and displayed with dedicated interpretation celebrating the artist and their practice.
  • Non winning artists will be featured on the museum's social media sites.


The competition is open to glass artists worldwide, working in any technique, from blown and kiln-formed glass to cast, sculptural, and mixed media- provided glass remains a central component of the finished work.

A Celebration of Glass

The winners will be announced during A Celebration of Glass, the Stourbridge Glass Festival, hosted on the weekend of 21st August 2026, with the awards presentation taking place as part of the festival celebrations.

The winning works will go on permanent display from 1st October 2026.

Entries will be judged by a distinguished panel comprising museum curators, renowned glass artists, and members of the museum's collections team.

Fee

There is a £10 fee for up to 3 entries.

Submission fees

The following submission fees apply to this opportunity.

  • Submission fee - 10.00 GBP

The appropriate fee will be payable using a debit or credit card after the first submission has been completed. If the submission fee allows you to submit more than once, you will be able to make further submissions after the first. Contact the curator if you have any questions about the opportunity or the submission fee, or email help@curatorspace.com if you have any questions about the payment process.

Make a submission Contact the curator
Who is eligible for this opportunity?
The competition is open to glass artists worldwide, working in any technique- from blown and kiln-formed glass to cast, sculptural, and mixed media- provided glass remains a central component of the finished work.
When is the deadline?
1st July 2026.
How many works can I submit?
Up to 3.
When is the delivery date?
21st September 2026.
Are there payments to artists?
There is a £1000 prize for four winners.
Does the location have disabled access?
Yes.
What publicity will be provided as part of the opportunity?
The museum will share the Artists work on their social media
The artists will be featured in any press releases relating to awards received during a Celebration of Glass, the Stourbridge Glass Festival, hosted on the weekend of 21st August
The artists work will form part of the museums permanent collection.
Do I need to be present?
Its not essential but it would be lovely if we could present the artist with their awards during A Celebration of Glass, the Stourbridge Glass Festival, hosted on the weekend of 21st August.
What happens if my proposal is chosen?
• The £1,000 prize is inclusive of all materials, production, and delivery costs.
• Payment will be made upon receipt and inspection of the finished work.
• The museum reserves the right not to select a winner if no submissions meet the required standard.
• Selected works must be delivered to Stourbridge Glass Museum by the agreed deadline.
• The museum will insure the work once it has been received on site.
• Artists retain the copyright of their work; the museum reserves the right to photograph and reproduce images of the work for promotional and archival purposes.
What are the selection criteria?
We want to acquire works that:
• Demonstrate excellence in craftsmanship and artistic vision
• Reflect contemporary approaches to glass as a creative medium
• Will engage and inspire our visitors
• Represent the range and diversity of glassmaking techniques today
We are looking for pieces that will become the artefacts of the future- works that future generations will look back on as defining the glass art of our time.

Entries will be judged by a distinguished panel comprising museum curators, renowned glass artists, and representatives from the museum’s collections team.
Does it cost to make a submission?
Yes there is a fee of £10 for up to 3 submissions.

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