The New Emergence Art Prize 2026 is calling for entries from emerging artists working in any medium. With a £5,000+ prize fund, 9 awards, independent judging and an online exhibition for shortlisted artists, the prize offers recognition, visibility and meaningful career support.

The New Emergence Art Prize 2026 is an international open call for emerging artists.

There is no set theme, and artists may submit work in any medium.

Presented online, the prize is designed to remove geographic barriers and give artists from anywhere in the world the opportunity to gain recognition, visibility and professional support.

The prize fund is worth over £5,000, with 9 awards supporting artists through cash prizes, artist materials, mentoring and a residency opportunity.

Artists may enter up to 3 artworks. Entries should be original works that represent the quality, originality and direction of the artist’s practice.

Final selections will be made by an independent judging panel. Judges will consider concept, execution, originality and impact.

Shortlisted artists will be featured in an online exhibition presented by New Emergence Art.

Prize list

• New Emergence Art Prize 2026: Grand Prize (£1,000 cash award)
• NG Art Creative Residency: Emerging Artist Award (2-week residency in Provence, France, worth €2000)
• The Art Ladder Prize (1 year subscription to The Art Ladder mentoring programme sponsored by Parker Harris - worth £800)
• Staedtler UK Award (£300+ worth of Staedtler products)
• Rosemary & Co Award (£300 Gift Card)
• New Emergence Art Founder’s Prize (£300 cash)
• GreatArt Award (£250 worth of materials)
• Michael Harding Watercolour Prize (£150+ worth of materials)
• Michael Harding Oil Painter’s Prize (£150+ worth of materials)

Judges

The judging panel brings together three strong perspectives from across the arts.

Addi Aegisdottir is the Creative Director of The Mall Galleries, home to the Federation of British Artists.

Judy Clarkson, a multi award-winning figurative painter and one of The New Emergence Art Prize 2025 award recipients.

Yeside Linney is an award-winning artist and former educator whose work explores heritage, landscape, identity and belonging.

Together, they bring a wealth of experience across arts leadership, contemporary practice, exhibitions, prize recognition and artist development.

Key dates

• Call for entries open: 8 June 2026
• Deadline: 3 August 2026
• Shortlist Announced: 10 August 2026
• Winners Announced: 17 August 2026
• Online Exhibition: 11 August – 7 September

Online Exhibition

Shortlisted artists will be featured in an online exhibition presented by New Emergence Art.

Unlike the standard 50/50 gallery commission model, New Emergence Art takes just 10% commission on sales made through the exhibition.

This allows artists to retain the vast majority of each sale, while helping us cover essential payment processing, administration and platform costs.

The exhibition will be promoted through a targeted advertising campaign to ensure maximum reach.

It will also be shared with our combined social media audience and through our sponsors’ channels, with a cumulative reach in the hundreds of thousands. (Instagram: @NewEmergenceArt 3,000 followers, @Staedtler 295,000 followers, @MHPaints 130,000+ followers, @GreatArt_UK 8,000 followers, @NGArtCreativeResidency 11,000+ followers, @ParkerHarrisCo 40,000+ followers, @RosemaryBrushes 89,000+ followers.)

Shortlisted artists are responsible for the safe packaging and shipping of any works sold during the exhibition. Shipping costs, delivery arrangements and fulfilment details will be liaised with New Emergence Art once a sale has been confirmed.