Open Call - 173 Annual Open Exhibition

The RWA is now welcoming submissions for the 173 Annual Open Exhibition until Monday 22 June 2026.

Taking place between 12 September 2026 - 3 January 2027, the RWA Annual Open Exhibition will feature both emerging talent and established names, spanning painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, architecture, sculpture, and mixed-media installation. It represents some of the most exciting artists working across the UK and beyond today.

With a strong emphasis on supporting artists through sales, the exhibition attracts over 10,000 visitors annually. Last year alone, the show generated over £150,000 in sales of original works and prints.

Find out more and submit at rwaopen.co.uk

Selection is overseen by a panel of guest experts alongside RWA Academicians. This year, we are delighted to welcome:

• Sheryll Catto: As Artistic Director and CEO of ActionSpace, Sheryll has spent years dismantling the margins around learning-disabled artists

• Ceri Hand: is a creative coach, mentor, public speaker and business founder supporting thousands of creatives each year.

• Paul Hedge: Co-founder of Hales Gallery (London/New York), bringing over 30 years of international art world expertise.

Representing the Academy are Hamish Young PRWA (President), Angela Lizon VPRWA (Vice President), and Academicians Katie Davies RWA and Sarah Gillespie RWA.

Thanks to our generous sponsors and supporters we offer a range of prizes for exhibiting artists in the Annual Open, this year prizes so far include the Cass Art Award, Evolver Magazine Front Cover Award, Evolver Magazine Feature Award, The Drawing Prize, Pangolin Sculpture Prize and the The PJ Crook Prize for Narrative Figurative Painting.