About the Open Call

The New English Art Club (NEAC) Annual Exhibition 2026 is an open call for artists to showcase their work alongside established NEAC members. The exhibition aims to promote meaningful, resonant art, committed to authenticity through observation of life and skillful communication. It is a significant opportunity for aspiring artists to gain visibility. The exhibition will feature a range of paintings, drawings, and original framed prints, excluding photography and sculpture. Works must have been completed in the last two years and not previously exhibited in London. International artists are welcome, but those not resident in the UK must register with HMRC for a UK VAT number if selected.

What is Offered

The exhibition offers numerous prizes and awards totaling over £10,000. These include The NEAC Climate Emergency Prize (£2,000 + £500 runner-up), The Doreen McIntosh Prize (£2,000), The Hermione Hammond Drawing Award (£2,000 for emerging artists under 35), The Arts Society (Greater London Area) Award (£1,000 for emerging non-members), The Borg Scott Art Award (£1,000), The Ken and Dora Howard Prize (£1,000), The Val Harris Prize (one-week residency and exhibition), The Bowyer Drawing Prize (£500), The Michael Harding Award (£500 art materials), The Milner Prize for an Emerging Artist (£500), The Winsor & Newton Award (£500 art materials), The NEAC Critics' Prize (£250), Mall Galleries / FBA Award (ten free submissions), and The Anthony J Lester Art Critic Award (£100). The Dry Red Press Award will also publish a winning work as a greetings card.

Requirements

Artists must be over 18 years old. A maximum of six works can be entered, with up to three selected per artist. Acceptable media are paintings, drawings, and original framed prints (no photography or sculpture). Work must have been completed within the last two years and not previously exhibited in London. Works should not exceed 2.4m along the longest dimension and must be original creations. International artists not resident in the UK must register for a UK VAT number if selected for the exhibition.

How to Apply

All work must be submitted online through the Open Exhibition Submission System (OESS). Artists register or log in, then upload images of their work (JPEG or PNG, under 5MB) along with title, medium, size, year of completion, and price. An optional two additional images for details may be submitted. Pre-selected works are then delivered to Mall Galleries, London, for final selection. International artists will be selected online only and will ship work to the gallery if selected.