Call for entries as expanded Foundation Art Prize 2026 launches
The Northern School of Art has expanded its prestigious Foundation Art Prize for 2026, introducing two age categories to give even more emerging creatives the opportunity to showcase their artistic talent.
For the first time, young artists aged 14 to 16 will be able to enter the competition, alongside the existing 16 to 18 category. The new younger category is open to entrants living in the Tees Valley, while the older category welcomes submissions from across the Tees Valley, North East, Yorkshire and the Humber.
Entries for the 2026 Foundation Art Prize are open until 11:59pm on Friday 1st May 2026, celebrating the creativity of young artists working across a wide range of media and disciplines.
Shortlisted finalists will have their work exhibited as part of the School’s prestigious annual Summer Show at its Middlesbrough campus, with winners announced at a special Foundation Art Prize awards ceremony on Thursday 18 June 2026.
Launched in February 2026,the competition offers a £250 cash prize for the winner of the Years 9–11 (14–16) category and £300 for the winner of the Years 12–13 (16–18) category. In each category, two runners-up will receive £50 vouchers for creative materials, and the winner’s school or college will receive a £100 contribution towards art materials.
A broad range of artistic and creative work is encouraged, including submissions in any medium or discipline. The prize is overseen by the UAL Foundation Diploma in Art & Design course team at the School’s Middlesbrough campus and is designed to inspire and celebrate artistic excellence, originality and experimentation.
This year’s judging panel includes Rachel Laycock, a professional Tees Valley-based artist with an MA in kiln glass. Rachel has run her own creative glass business since 2006 creating bespoke commissions and site specific installations. Rachel is a co-director of award-winning visual arts organisation BloomInArt NorthEast CIC. She is also a director and creative producer of Wintertide Festival, an independent arts event held biennially at the Headland in Hartlepool.
Rachel said: “As an alumni of The Northern School of Art it is close to my heart to support and champion opportunities for local creatives that strengthen a portfolio and could kickstart a career in the arts. I am honoured to be invited as a judge for the Foundation Art Prize. You’ve got to be in it to win it!”
“We’re excited to see the breadth of creativity from young artists across the region,” said the Foundation team. “The Foundation Art Prize continues to be a fantastic platform for emerging talent.”
READY TO ENTER? Submit your entry using the online form HERE
Competition Details
CATEGORIES AND ELIGIBILITY
- Years 9–11 (approx. ages 14–16) – open to young people living in the Tees Valley
- Years 12–13 (approx. ages 16–18) – open to young people living across the Tees Valley, North East, Yorkshire and the Humber regions
PRIZES
Years 9–11 category
- Winner: £250 cash prize
- Two runners-up: £50 creative materials vouchers (each)
- Winner’s school/college: £100 contribution towards art materials
Years 12–13 category
- Winner: £300 cash prize
- Two runners-up: £50 creative materials vouchers (each)
- Winner’s school/college: £100 contribution towards art materials
KEY DATES
- Competition launches: February 2026
- Submission deadline: 11:59pm, Friday 1 May 2026
- Shortlist notified by: Friday 29 May 2026
- Exhibition of shortlisted work: Wednesday 17 – Wednesday 24 June 2026 (Summer Show, Newport Road, Middlesbrough)
- Awards presentation: Thursday 18 June 2026
WHAT YOU CAN SUBMIT
- Submissions must be the digital versions of entrant’s original work and can include still image or video-based work. Entrants should not submit work that has been produced specifically for formal assessment (e.g. GCSE or A Level final outcomes).
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
- Eligibility: The competition is open to individuals aged 14-18, subject to category and regional criteria.
- Prizes: The first prize is £300 cash (16-18 category) and £250 (14-16 category) and a £100 voucher for each of the winners’ schools to purchase art materials. Two runners-up for each category will receive £50 vouchers for creative materials. These are non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash.
- Judging: The judging panel will include professional artist Rachel Laycock, alongside members of the UAL Foundation Diploma staff.
- Artwork: Submitted work must not violate UK laws or moral standards. The School reserves the right to exclude any entry deemed unsuitable.
- Permissions: Entrants retain copyright of their work but grant the School permission to use submitted images in promotional materials.
- Privacy: Personal data will be handled in compliance with GDPR regulations.
- Appeals: Appeals will be reviewed by the Vice-Principal for Further Education, with unresolved matters referred to the Principalship Team.
- Contact Information: The competition is organised by The Northern School of Art, Newport Road, Middlesbrough, TS1 1LA. For any queries, please visit the School’s website, or email artprize@northernart.ac.uk
TO ENTER submit your entry using the online form HERE
