The Gilbert Bayes Award for early career sculptors is given annually by the Society to a small group of outstandingly talented sculptors. Selected by the sculptor members of the Society’s Board and a guest judge, the award provides vital support during what can be a difficult transition from study to professional practice. The award is open to sculptors of any age or nationality, with or without formal training and working in any style of media.

GILBERT BAYES AWARD 2027

A PLATFORM FOR EMERGING VOICES IN SCULPTURE

Named in honour of Gilbert Bayes (1872–1953), one of the UK’s most celebrated sculptors known for his public monuments, architectural sculpture, and innovative approach to materials, the Gilbert Bayes Award supports early-career artists working across sculpture and contemporary practice.

Through a dedicated mentoring programme curated specifically for sculptors, selected artists gain practical insight into what it means to sustain a career in the arts - beyond the studio.

These sessions focus on the realities of working as an artist: navigating opportunities, building networks, understanding commissioning, exhibiting, and positioning your practice in a wider professional context.

This award offers not just recognition, but meaningful opportunities to develop your practice, expand your network, and engage with a community of artists and industry professionals.

WHAT YOU’LL GAIN

If selected, you will take part in a year-long mentoring programme designed to support you in navigating the realities of being a professional artist.

Rather than focusing solely on developing artworks, sessions address the practical aspects of sustaining a career: positioning your work, accessing opportunities, building networks, and engaging with the wider art world.

Sessions run monthly (January–November 2027, excluding August) and take place both online and in person, connecting you directly with industry professionals.

You will also:

Participate in a Sculpture Slam talk, presenting your ideas and approach

Exhibit your work alongside fellow award recipients

Build lasting connections with a network of peers and practitioners

Have access to exclusive opportunities, in the past these have included a residency at Benson Sedgwick Engineering Ltd., a working metal fabrication studio in Dagenham, East London.

A COMMITMENT TO YOUR PRACTICE

This award is designed for artists ready to take the next step.

In return, we ask for full engagement: selected artists are expected to attend all mentoring sessions and actively participate in the programme. 3 or more missed sessions will result in withdrawal from the GBA programme.

The planned dates for the sessions are below; these may change – any changes will be communicated in advance via email:

Friday 4 December 2026, 5 - 6 pm - Introduction to the society

Monday 30 January 2027, 2 – 5 pm

Monday 15 February 2027, 2-5 pm

Monday 22 March 2027, 2-5 pm

Monday 19 April 2027, 2-5 pm

Monday 17 May 2027, 2-5 pm

Monday 21 June 2027, 2-5 pm

Monday 19 July 2027, 2-5 pm

Monday 20 September 2027, 2-5 pm

Wednesday 20 October 2027, 2-5 pm

Monday 22 November 2027, 2-5 pm

December 2027, Artwork delivered for Exhibition

Early 2028, Exhibition Private View in London and Artists SLAM event

Mentoring session topics have previously included:

Documenting sculpture with photography - Understanding how to commission a photographer

Contracts, rights and other legal information for artists

Press and writing about art

Commercial galleries - how they work

Visit to the Barry Flanagan archive, tour and talk

Arts Council bid writing

Visit to Benson Sedgwick, working with fabricators

Making art in public spaces

Ecommerce and the arts

Being a professional artist - an artists studio visit

GUEST SELECTOR

For 2027, we are delighted to welcome Kate Davies, Director, the Roberts Institute of Art as Guest Selector.

Kate Davies has over 20 years’ experience working across the visual art sector with artists, private collections, public institutions and philanthropic organisations. 

She specialises in developing ambitious artistic programmes, expanding public access to collections and building collaborative partnerships that create lasting cultural impact. 

Kate is currently a Project Consultant for the Government Art Collection, supporting a major new public engagement initiative to broaden access to the national collection through partnerships across the UK. Previously,

Kate was Director of the David and Indrė Roberts Collection and the Roberts Institute of Art (RIA), where she established partnerships with more than 20 museums and cultural institutions, launched an artist residency in Scotland for international and UK artists and developed innovative commissioning and performance programmes.

Earlier in her career, Kate held senior leadership roles with Damien Hirst and Newport Street Gallery, overseeing exhibition programmes, collection strategy and large-scale exhibition production.

She is a proud Trustee of Site Gallery in Sheffield and serves on the Advisory Committee of the Stoa Foundation.

BEYOND THE AWARD: MEMBERSHIP

As a recipient, you will be invited to become part of the Royal Society of Sculptors - a respected network of artists shaping contemporary sculpture in the UK and beyond.

Membership offers more than the MRSS title. It connects you to:

• A community of peers at all stages of their careers
• Opportunities to exhibit, collaborate and be commissioned
• Professional development, mentoring, and critical dialogue
• Visibility through Society platforms and programmes

Membership is a sustained support system, giving your practice a wider platform and embedding you in a living, evolving conversation about sculpture today.

You will have 1 year of free membership while participating in the GBA programme, followed by 2 years at a discounted rate.

WHO SHOULD APPLY

Early-career artists of any age and nationality who are pursuing a sculptural practice.

You might work in installation, performance, video, conceptual practice, or site-specific work- what matters is a strong and committed artistic voice.

Applicants should have:

• At least four years of exhibiting experience
• A clear dedication to their practice
• The ability to fully engage with the programme and its events
• Be available to attend the mentoring sessions and exhibition events listed further down in this document.

You do not need formal training, but you must not be currently in full-time education.

HOW TO APPLY

Your application should give a clear sense of your practice, your ideas, and where you want to go next.

You will be asked to submit:

• Up to 12 images across a minimum of five works
• Details of each work (title, year, materials, dimensions, description)
• An artist statement
• A CV (max. two pages)
• A short statement on what this opportunity would mean to you

Entry fee: £10

Deadline: 2 pm, Tuesday 13 October 2026

Results announced: mid-November 2026

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• Applications must be submitted online and fully completed
• Incomplete applications cannot be considered
• The Society is unable to cover travel or production costs
• Current or past members of the Royal Society of Sculptors are not eligible
• Feedback for unsuccessful applications will not be available
• The judge’s decision is final