The Sworders Emerging Artists Award celebrates the next generation of creative talent and is open to artists aged between 19 and 23.

This award recognises emerging artistic talent and provides an opportunity for young practitioners to present their work within the Holt Art Projects exhibition programme.

Open to artists aged between 19 and 23, it supports artists at an important early stage in their creative development and offers the experience of exhibiting within a professional setting.

Open to artists aged between 19 and 23, the award recognises emerging talent and offers young practitioners the opportunity to present their work within a professional exhibition context.

This award is generously supported by Sworders Fine Art Auctioneers, one of the UK’s leading regional auction houses. Founded in 1782, Sworders has a long tradition of supporting art, artists and the wider cultural community.

Through this award Sworders helps to encourage and celebrate the creativity of the next generation of artists.

The judges will select a shortlist of works to be exhibited, from which one artist will be selected as the recipient of the award of £750.

Judges

Guy Schooling is Chairman and Head of Art & Antiques at Fine Art Auctioneers Sworders.

Guy joined Sworders in 1986, when he had just a secretary and a part-time porter.

Over the last forty years he has overseen its growth into a major force in British auctioneering, with an award winning eco-saleroom, over 40 departments, a London office and showroom and much more.

He is keenly interested in encouraging culture among the young and Sworders have established many initiatives to further this, among them the Sworders Awards for Young & Emerging Artists at Holt Festival, being relaunched this year under the new banner of Holt Art Projects.

Dulcie Humphrey has, for a decade, directed the programme of exhibitions and events at the much loved Fairhurst Gallery in the Norwich Lanes and brought a wide array of arts to the city.

With a background in arts, youth arts and theatre Dulcie gained her Fine Art Degree at Norwich University of The Arts and then went on to lead their Student Union.

She curated a number of external events including The River Waveney Sculpture Trail in 2016 and helped create a hub for artists with the Fairhurst artist studio spaces, alongside framing and conservation.

 She has a passion for youth arts and engagement and is excited that the Fairhurst Gallery in its new Aylsham Road location will be the venue that will showcase this year’s winner of the Sworders Award for Young Artists.

Entry Criteria

Open to artists aged between 19 and 23 working in two-dimensional, wall-based media including painting, drawing, printmaking and mixed media. Submissions should demonstrate originality, creativity and a clear commitment to developing an artistic practice. Applicants must be aged between 19 and 23 on or before 14 June 2026.

Holt Art Projects

Holt Art Projects invites submissions to its 2026 programme of contemporary art awards, culminating in a major exhibition in North Norfolk bringing together emerging and established artists from the UK and internationally. The awards continue the legacy of the Sir John Hurt Art Prize, founded in 2010 and inspired by the late actor and painter Sir John Hurt.

The programme now includes seven awards celebrating excellence across painting, portraiture, photography, ceramics, glass, environmental art and emerging practice. Shortlisted works will be exhibited as part of the Holt Art Projects annual exhibition programme in Holt and nearby Glandford, North Norfolk.

The exhibition opens with an awards reception on Sunday, 19 July 2026, followed by a private view on Monday, 20 July. It will then be open daily from 10 am to 5 pm until Saturday, 1 August.

All works may be offered for sale unless otherwise specified by the artist. Holt Art Projects charges 28.2% commission (23.5% + VAT) on sales. The exhibition is promoted through press coverage, digital platforms and printed materials, attracting collectors, visitors and audiences interested in contemporary art.

Please see FAQs for further details.