– The Visual Artists Association Presents –
Professional Artist Award 2023
Show your work, gain momentum, and grow your art business.
Be in with a chance to win a prize package worth £5000
1st Prize of £1000 cash, Art Supplies, 121 coaching session on Artists’ Guide to Success, 1 x Momentum Programme to accelerate your career, 12 month Mentorship Programme. Online solo Exhibition & Lifetime membership to the VAA.
5 Highly Commended Exhibitors whose prizes include: Certificate, 121 Strategy session, 1x Momentum Programme (6wks)
APPLICATIONS CLOSED
How is the prize judged?
A judging panel comprised of world-class art experts will shortlist the top ten most accomplished artworks from the range of digital entries.
We will choose one winner and five highly commended exhibitors.
How does it work?
The winners of this prize will receive a £5000 prize package, as well as a 12-month mentorship programme.
Artists can submit up to four artworks.
Premium Members have Early Access to Applications until 14/10/2022 when applications are open to all artists! Premium Members also have the entry fee waved.
Who is it for?
Artists of all mediums, globally, at any stage in their career.
Artists at any stage, from early career to established are invited to apply for the Professional Artist Award.
Judges
Rosalind Davis
Rosalind Davis is an artist-curator and a graduate of The Royal College of Art (2005) and Chelsea College of Art (2003). As an artist her central concern is the transformation and reconfiguration of architecture and space through multiple disciplines.
Davis works within painting and installation and has exhibited nationally and internationally in a wide range of galleriesand has had a number of solo shows in London: the Bruce Castle Museum (2013); John Jones Project Space; Julian Hartnoll Gallery (2009); The Residence Gallery (2007) and The Stephen Lawrence Centre. Selected group exhibitions have been at the Courtauld Institute, the Foundry Gallery, JGM Gallery, Laurent Delaye Gallery, Bo Lee Gallery, Thameside Gallery, Arthouse1 Gallery, Standpoint Gallery, Transition Gallery; The Roundhouse, APT Gallery; Koppel Projects, no format Gallery, the Lion and Lamb Gallery; The ING Discerning Eye; the Lynn Painters Stainers Prize (London) Phoenix Brighton, DOK (Edinburgh) and with the UK Young Artists (Derby). Her work is held in a number of private collections and public collections including Soho House.
Paula Rubiano
Paula Rubiano Aza is a seasoned Art Advisor and PhD candidate with extensive experience in modern contemporary art. With a background in Visual Arts, she has spent the last seven years working with prestigious organizations and advising clients on the best artworks to purchase to suit their needs. Paula has overseen and managed an active artist outreach pipeline, engaged with artists and related communities in the field of contemporary art, and fostered relationships with living artists as well as related networks of gallerists, dealers, and other curators in the field. She holds an MBA in Art Business Management, an MFA in Art Research and Creation, an MA in Professional Photography, and a BA in Visual Arts.
Gillian Taylor
Gillian Taylor is a PR and marketing consultant who works closely with artists and cultural organisations to tell interesting stories about art and creativity. She helps raise profiles, gets stories in the news, publicises events, makes videos and creates a buzz online.
Gillian’s clients include Devon Open Studios, Somerset Art Works, Exeter’s Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Yeovil Art Space and the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Arts, Health & Wellbeing.
Before setting up Gillian Taylor PR, she was the communications lead for Arts Council England in the South West.
Dates
The aim of the VAA Professional Artist Award has been created to promote the work of our Premium Member Artists, whilst helping them to gain momentum and grow their art business.
Shortlisted Artists Announced shortly
Finalists Announced – September 2023
Winners Announced – September 2023
FAQ
Who can enter?
Our open call to the Professional Artist Award is open to both amateur and professional artists, working in any visual art medium (i.e. drawing, printing, painting, photography, digital art, sculpture, mixed media).
What is the submission procedure?
The application form can be found on this page. You can also download the application form and email it to hello@visual-artists.org
Premium Members of the VAA may submit their application without paying any fee; Standard Members and Non-Members are required to pay a £20 entry fee into the competition.
Once you have submitted your application, your application will be processed within 5 working days. You will then be sent a confirmation email, to the email address provided in your application form.
If you have not received an email from us then please email hello@visual-artists.org
Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are only able to notify artists that have been successful in both stages. You will be notified by email, using the email address you have provided
Why are there two application phases?
Do I need to submit artwork that is for sale?
No, we can select an alternative artwork for the finalists’ exhibition. However, you need to let us know in advance, or you could lose your place.
How do I submit an image?
Within the online application form, you can upload your images, if you have any trouble doing so please email us, at hello@visual-artists.org.