Visual Art Open 2027
Type
Competition
Category
Drawing, Mixed Media, Painting
Status
Open for Applications
Deadline
March 25, 2027
Application Fee
$15
Host
Visual Artists Association
Location
London, United Kingdom
Visual Art Open 2027: International Art Prize
£10,000 prize fund | Early Bird entry now open from £15
Now in its 12th year, the Visual Art Open (VAO) is calling for artists at every stage of their careers. Enter for the chance to win a share of the £10,000 prize fund, exhibit in London and get your work in front of the people who can take your career further.
Open to artists worldwide, every entry is judged anonymously, so your work is assessed purely on artistic merit, not on your background, experience or reputation. The judging panel includes gallery representatives, art critics and curators.
What could you gain?
Cash and prizes: a £10,000 prize fund, including cash awards and additional prizes
London exhibitions: finalists and selected winners get the chance to showcase their work
Longlist recognition: all longlisted artists are featured across VAO’s social media channels
Overall and category awards: celebrating excellence across a range of disciplines
Partner prizes: including portfolio reviews, group reviews and further exhibition opportunities
Career support: mentoring, guidance and development through the Visual Artists Association (VAA)
Wider exposure: your work seen by galleries, curators, collectors and art audiences
Who can enter?
Everyone from first-time entrants to established professionals. Choose from seven categories:
Painting
Sculpture
Drawing & Illustration
Mixed Media, Collage & Printmaking
Photography & Digital Art
Student Artist
Art Educator
Early Bird is now open: save £5
Enter now until 17 December 2026 and pay just £15 for your first standard artwork, down from the usual £20. The discount applies to everyone’s first standard artwork. Reduced entry rates are also available for students and art educators.
Key dates
Early Bird opened: 21 October 2026
Early Bird deadline: 17 December 2026
Standard entries open: 18 December 2026
Standard entry deadline: 25 March 2027
VAO is about more than winning. It’s a chance to share your work, build your profile and take the next step in your artistic career.
Your work deserves to be seen. Enter VAO27.
Enter now: https://www.visualartopen.com/
£10,000 prize fund | Early Bird entry now open from £15
Now in its 12th year, the Visual Art Open (VAO) is calling for artists at every stage of their careers. Enter for the chance to win a share of the £10,000 prize fund, exhibit in London and get your work in front of the people who can take your career further.
Open to artists worldwide, every entry is judged anonymously, so your work is assessed purely on artistic merit, not on your background, experience or reputation. The judging panel includes gallery representatives, art critics and curators.
What could you gain?
Cash and prizes: a £10,000 prize fund, including cash awards and additional prizes
London exhibitions: finalists and selected winners get the chance to showcase their work
Longlist recognition: all longlisted artists are featured across VAO’s social media channels
Overall and category awards: celebrating excellence across a range of disciplines
Partner prizes: including portfolio reviews, group reviews and further exhibition opportunities
Career support: mentoring, guidance and development through the Visual Artists Association (VAA)
Wider exposure: your work seen by galleries, curators, collectors and art audiences
Who can enter?
Everyone from first-time entrants to established professionals. Choose from seven categories:
Painting
Sculpture
Drawing & Illustration
Mixed Media, Collage & Printmaking
Photography & Digital Art
Student Artist
Art Educator
Early Bird is now open: save £5
Enter now until 17 December 2026 and pay just £15 for your first standard artwork, down from the usual £20. The discount applies to everyone’s first standard artwork. Reduced entry rates are also available for students and art educators.
Key dates
Early Bird opened: 21 October 2026
Early Bird deadline: 17 December 2026
Standard entries open: 18 December 2026
Standard entry deadline: 25 March 2027
VAO is about more than winning. It’s a chance to share your work, build your profile and take the next step in your artistic career.
Your work deserves to be seen. Enter VAO27.
Enter now: https://www.visualartopen.com/