Could You Be One of the Most Promising Artists Worldwide?
The Visual Artists Association proudly presents VAA Art100 International, an inclusive international campaign celebrating the most promising and visionary artists from around the globe. This is your chance to gain international recognition, access exclusive resources, and receive career-accelerating support, all designed to elevate your profile in the contemporary art world.
Whether you’re an emerging talent or an established name, the VAA Art100 International opens the door to tailored guidance, business development opportunities, and mentorship to help you grow your creative career. You’ll join a dynamic, supportive community that champions artistic innovation and collaboration.
Up to 100 artists will be selected so don’t miss your moment to stand out, get the support you deserve, and shape your future with the Visual Artists Association.
VAA100 International | Shortlisted Artists Will Receive
VAA Creative Accelerator Bootcamp
Intensive 1.5 hour professional development bootcamp designed to help you grow and strengthen your art business.
VAA Accountability Programme
A structured, programme that helps visual artists build consistent creative habits, stay focused on their goals, and develop a sustainable, professional art practice through weekly peer support and expert guidance.
VAA Artist of the Year Awards 2027 Entry
Automatic entry into the prestigious VAA Artist of the Year Awards for recognition and exposure.
VAA Preferred Artist Status
Formal recognition as a VAA Preferred Artist, affirming your commitment to professionalism and excellence.
Achievement Certificate
Showcase your artistic excellence.
VAA100 International Winners Will Receive
Inclusion in the VAA Art100 Industry Book Printed Edition
The VAA Art100 Industry Book is a prestigious, curated publication showcasing exceptional contemporary artists to an influential audience of collectors, galleries, and art industry professionals. Inclusion in this high-quality printed edition offers artists a unique opportunity to gain visibility and credibility within the global art market. With its carefully selected roster, the Art100 highlights innovative and impactful work across disciplines, positioning featured artists alongside their peers in a beautifully produced, widely distributed volume that celebrates excellence and originality in today’s art world.
VAA100 International Achievement Certificate
Showcase your artistic excellence.
International Exclusive Prizes vary per region
Additional Online Profiling
Artists are selected for the VAA Art100 from diverse regions, including the UK & Europe, Middle East, Asia Pacific, Africa & the Caribbean, North America, and South America.
We’re committed to keeping the VAA Art100 accessible and inclusive. If selected at the Shortlist Stage, you’ll be required to join the VAA Membership at a subsidised annual rate, made possible through support from the VAA and our partners. Just a platform to help you thrive – membership required.
The subsidised membership rates are as follows:
- Premium Membership: £100 (normally £125)
- International Membership: £88 (normally £110)
This small investment unlocks a full year of recognition, opportunities, and expert guidance.
ABOUT | VISUAL ARTIST ASSOCIATION
The VAA is professional body and movement dedicated to supporting artists and creative freelancers throughout their careers. Working closely with art galleries, art fairs, publishers, museums, universities, and art institutions, we offer our members exclusive access to exhibition opportunities, events, and affordable creative business education.
We help artists like you to gain greater agency over your artwork and enhance your credibility in the art world – empowering you to grow both your practice and your arts business. We are here to break down barriers and open doors, transforming the landscape and fostering a culture where artists of all backgrounds are inspired and supported to reach their full potential.
Open to artists across the UK and internationally, we actively advocate for small creative businesses, freelancers, and artists’ rights – including fair pay, intellectual property protection, and essential business support. At the VAA, we also offer professional development programmes and cultivate a friendly, collaborative space where artists can connect, learn, and grow together.
Creative Accelerator Bootcamp
The Creative Accelerator Bootcamp is an intensive, practice-focused session designed to support artists in building a clear and sustainable professional direction. It brings together key elements of career development, helping participants refine their artistic vision, strengthen their positioning, and gain clarity on how their work sits within the wider contemporary art landscape. The session is structured to move beyond theory, offering a strategic overview of what is needed to develop a resilient and self-directed art practice.
Alongside this, the curriculum explores practical routes to progression and income diversification, from understanding audience and buyer behaviour to accessing opportunities across galleries, fairs and publishing platforms. It also addresses what it means to be “gallery ready” today, helping artists identify gaps in their current practice and establish a clearer system for visibility, communication and long-term growth.
Programme Curriculum
This intensive 1.5 hour session brings together the core elements of building a sustainable and professional art practice:
- Clarifying your artist strategy, including your vision, goals and long-term direction
- Developing your artwork readiness, your story, personal brand and confident communication
- Identifying your niche and defining your ideal buyer
- Exploring multiple streams of art income and practical ways to diversify your practice
- Accessing opportunities across the art world, including galleries, fairs and publishers
- Understanding what “gallery ready” really means and how to position your work accordingly
- Implementation and gap analysis to identify what is missing in your current practice
- Building a clear, consistent system to support visibility and sales over time
Open to Artists Worldwide
Why Join the VAA Art100 International?
This isn’t just a list. It’s a launching pad. Becoming part of the VAA Art100 International means visibility, validation, and value. With enhanced exposure, collector connections, and continuous support, your next breakthrough begins here.
Make Your Mark on the Future of Art
Art has the power to shape culture, provoke thought, and move generations. The VAA Art100 is more than a recognition – it’s a collective of creators redefining what art means today and tomorrow.
By joining this movement, you’re aligning with a network of peers and pioneers who are pushing boundaries and making bold statements. This is your moment to leave a lasting legacy.
Art100 International 2026 Key Dates
Applications Open | 5th June 2026
Deadline to Apply | 13th August 2026
Shortlisted Artists Announced | September 2026
Winners Announcement | December 2026
Application Deadline
 |
VAA Art100 International 2026 Judging Panel
All artworks will be thoughtfully reviewed by our distinguished judging panel, each recognised for their expertise and leadership across contemporary art, curation, and the wider creative industries.
The panel includes Jo-Anna Duncalf, Palé Hall Art Manager and Director of The International Ceramic Festival; Tom Best, Auctioneer and Director of Auction Collective and Indy Auctions; Marine Tanguy, CEO of MTArt Agency, Urban X Culture and TED Speaker; Jon Tomlinson, Co-Founder of Artware Editions and the Artist Plate Project; Shirley-Ann O’Neill, VAA Director and Co-Founder; Raoul Locht, Director of De Kunst Collega’s; and Laura O’Hare, VAA Director and Co-Founder.
HOW TO APPLY
What you’ll need:
-
Artist statement
-
Up to 3 high-quality images of your artworks
-
Artwork descriptions
When you’re ready:
Read through the VAA Art100 Terms & Conditions
Complete the application form using the ‘Apply Now’ button
Submitting takes less than 10 minutes
Selected artists will receive VAA Preferred Artist Status, formal recognition and International membership, access to VAA Creative Accelerator Bootcamp, access to three sessions of the VAA Accountabily Circle, automatic entry to the Artist of the Year Awards 2027, and consideration for the VAA Art100 Industry Book – a curated publication shared with galleries, collectors, and art professionals.
No Submission fee. If selected, you will be required to join the VAA Membership Programme for a subsidised annual rate:
Made possible through support from the VAA and our partners. Just a platform to help you thrive – membership required.
The subsidised membership rates are as follows:
- Premium Membership: £100 (normally £125)
- International Membership: £88 (normally £110)
This small investment unlocks a full year of recognition, opportunities, and expert guidance.
All Global Visual Artists are Encouraged to Apply, Including:
Hear From VAA Artists
“Being recognised by the VAA changed how galleries and collectors viewed my work. It gave me the confidence and connections to move forward professionally.”
– Sophia Lane, Abstract Painter
“Art prizes offer a fantastic platform to gain visibility and connect with wider audiences and other artists. They can open doors to new opportunities, like gallery exhibitions and international connections. These competitions encourage growth and help us refine how we communicate our vision..”
– Sophia Ruiz, Painter
Meet the Judges
Raoul Locht
Raoul Locht is a Dutch entrepreneur and creative strategist whose work centres on connecting people, ideas, and culture. With an academic background in journalism and the philosophy of art and culture, he brings an interdisciplinary perspective to creativity, communication, and entrepreneurship.
Through his work with De Kunst Collega’s and related initiatives, Raoul develops projects that make art, creativity, and collaboration more accessible to wider audiences. His practice spans cultural innovation, event development, branding, and community building, with a particular interest in creating meaningful experiences that connect artists, organisations, and the public.
Combining strategic thinking with a deep commitment to the arts, Raoul works at the intersection of creativity and entrepreneurship, helping transform cultural concepts into sustainable and engaging ventures.
As a judge for VAA Art100 International, Raoul brings experience in cultural engagement, creative strategy, and audience development, offering insight into how contemporary artistic practices can resonate beyond traditional art spaces.
Marine Tanguy
Marine Tanguy is a CEO, serial entrepreneur, author, and advisor. She is the founder of MTArt Agency, a Certified B Corporation and leading global talent agency representing contemporary artists, and Urban X Culture. She began her career at 21 as the youngest gallery manager in Europe, working with Steve Lazarides, the gallery director who discovered Banksy. By 23, she had opened her first gallery venture, De Re Gallery in Los Angeles, where she worked with high-profile collectors and cultural figures, before developing the concept for MTArt Agency in London in 2015.
Today, MTArt Agency works internationally with artists, brands, and institutions including Apple, Hyundai, and FIFA World Cup-related projects, supporting the integration of art into public and commercial spaces. Marine is also a published author with Penguin, a TED speaker, and an advisor to UN Women UK. She has been recognised in Forbes 30 Under 30 and other major entrepreneurship awards, and is widely known for her advocacy of visual literacy, public art, and the role of artists in shaping contemporary society.
Her expertise brings a strong curatorial and industry perspective, with deep experience in identifying emerging artistic talent and understanding how contemporary practice operates across cultural, commercial, and institutional contexts.
Tom Best
Trained at Christie’s and one of the youngest auctioneers in the company’s history, Tom Best has sold everything from contemporary art to rare collectibles across 14 countries and four continents. In 2018, he founded The Auction Collective, helping artists, organisations, and brands run their own auctions through innovative and accessible auction technology.
A passionate advocate for expanding access and creating opportunities, Tom has helped raise more than £20 million for over 300 charities worldwide. He brings a rare combination of art market expertise, commercial insight, and enthusiasm for helping creatives succeed.
Jo-Anna Duncalf
Jo-Anna Duncalf is a conceptual ceramic artist and currently oversees the Art Programme at Palé Hall, Bala, where she is developing opportunities that connect contemporary art, cultural experiences, and artist visibility. She is also Director of The International Ceramic Festival and has been awarded an British Council Grant grant to undertake research across China and Hong Kong ahead of the 2027 festival, strengthening international connections across ceramics and contemporary craft.
Originally from the Conwy Valley, Jo-Anna studied at Howard Gardens Art School, Cardiff, before further developing her ceramics practice in Tokoname, Japan, and later through residencies and exhibitions across New Zealand, Australia, and Thailand. Alongside maintaining her own exhibiting practice, she has held roles across arts education and curation, including Education Officer at the Royal Cambrian Academy of Art and Exhibitions Officer for North Wales Potters.
As a judge for Art100 2026, Jo-Anna brings an international perspective alongside extensive experience as an artist, educator, curator, and cultural leader, with particular insight into developing meaningful opportunities and long-term careers for artists.
Laura O’Hare
Laura leads artistic and business development at the VAA and is a co-founder of the organisation. Working in the fine arts sector since 2012, she is currently Director of the Visual Art Open Prize, the Artist of the Year Award, and the VAA Art100 International Award.
She brings extensive experience in supporting artists at all career stages, with a strong focus on understanding their needs and helping them develop sustainable practices. Laura also maintains a wide network across galleries, arts organisations, publishers, and commercial partners.
Prior to her work in the arts, she spent over 15 years as a solicitor specialising in employment law, bringing valuable expertise in negotiation, governance, and professional practice.
Shirley-Ann O’Neil
Shirley-Ann, founder of VAA, is a seasoned arts director and curator with over 20 years of experience working with creatives. She is the co-author of the internationally bestselling art business books ‘Good Art Does Not Sell Itself’ and ‘Securing Representation.’
Her passion for global artist outreach and discovering new talent is evident in her curated exhibitions, which have been showcased on BBC, Sky News, and International New York Times. Shirley-Ann leads the Visual Art Open Prize and VAA Artist of the Year Awards, driving the VAA CPD & mentorship programme with courses on Art Curation & Exhibition Management, Art Sales Academy, and Artist Momentum.
She has previously served on the selection committee for the Other Art Fair London by Saatchi Art.
FAQ’s
Who Can Enter?
Our open call for the Art100 International is open to both amateur and professional artists, worldwide, working in any visual art medium, under the categories; Painting; Drawing & Illustration; Mixed Media, Collage & Printmaking; Photography & Digital Art; Video & Moving Image; Sculpture; Textiles, and Installation Art.
What is the Submission Procedure?
The application form for the VAA Art100 International can be found on this page.
There is no charge to apply.
- Artist Statement
- Up to 2 high-quality images of your artworks
- Artwork Descriptions
When You’re Ready:
- Read through the VAA Art100 International Terms & Conditions
- Complete the application form using the ‘Apply Now’ button
The submission process takes less than 10 minutes.
If selected at the Shortlist Stage, you’ll be required to join the VAA Membership at a subsidised annual rate, made possible through support from the VAA and our partners. Just a platform to help you thrive – membership required.
The subsidised membership rates are as follows:
- Premium Membership: £100 (normally £125)
- International Membership: £88 (normally £110)
This small investment unlocks a full year of recognition, opportunities, and expert guidance.
Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are only able to notify artists that have been successful. You will be notified by email, using the email address you have provided.
How Do I Submit An Image?
Within the online application form, you can upload your 3 images, if you have any trouble doing so, please email us, at hello@visual-artists.org.
What is the Required Creation Date for Submitted Work?
The artwork must be a new or recent creation, ideally produced within the last 3 years. Submissions should reflect the artist’s current practice and creative direction, showcasing work that is relevant and contemporary.
How Many Artworks Can I Enter?
A maximum of 3 works are permitted per artist.
How Will I Be Notified If I Have Won?
Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are only able to notify artists that have been Shortlisted and selected as Winners. You will be notified by email, using the email address you have provided. Please see key dates on this page.
