About the Open Call

The Cass Art Prize 2026 is an open call art competition awarding a £10,000 cash prize to the overall winner. Additional awards worth over £20,000 are available, including a Students Award, Art Educators Award, Emerging Artist Award, and Over 65 Award. Shortlisted artists will be invited to participate in a group exhibition at The Bomb Factory, Marylebone, London in autumn 2026. The prize accepts all forms of 2D and 3D artworks made using analogue materials, including oil, acrylic, watercolour, drawing, sketching, and mixed media. Photography, video, and digital works are strictly excluded.

What is Offered

£10,000 main cash prize, over £20,000 in additional awards (art supplies, online courses, and cash), a group exhibition in London, and a potential solo show award.

Requirements

Open to artists aged 18+ based in the UK, Isle of Man, the Channel Islands, and the Republic of Ireland. Artworks must be analogue 2D or 3D works created since 1st March 2022. Artworks must not have won previous prizes or be submitted to other concurrent competitions.

How to Apply

Artists must create an account on the Zealous platform, upload high-resolution images (JPEG or PNG) of up to 4 works, provide descriptions and a biography, and pay the required entry fee before the deadline.