Freelands Painting Prize 2026

About the Open Call

The seventh edition of the annual Freelands Painting Prize invites Higher Education institutions in the UK offering BA Fine Art or Painting courses to nominate one final-year student from the 2025-26 academic year. Work must include paintings or submissions that operate as painting in the expanded field. Shortlisted artists will participate in an exhibition at Freelands Foundation in Autumn 2026. One winner will be selected to receive a consultation and £1,000 worth of materials from Wallace Seymour.

What is Offered

Exhibition participation for shortlisted artists at Freelands Foundation in Autumn 2026. One winner receives a professional consultation and £1,000 worth of painting materials.

Requirements

Applicants must be final-year students (2025-26) at a UK HE institution/art school. Nomination must be made by a staff member. Work must include paintings or expand upon the field of painting.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted by a member of staff from the student's UK institution. Download the Nomination Pro forma and Submission Guidelines from the website, and email the completed form to paintingprize@freelandsfoundation.co.uk by midday on the deadline date.