The East London Art Prize

The East London Art Prize celebrates and promotes the incredible talent and diversity of art made in the cultural hive of east London. Proudly sponsored by Minerva and Prue MacLeod, the winner receives a career-changing cash prize of £15,000 and a solo exhibition at our Nunnery Gallery. The runner-up second prize is a year’s studio space with Bow Arts. This year's judges are Louise Benson (Director of Digital, ArtReview Magazine), Phoebe Collings-James (Artist), Jonny Tanna (Director, Harlesden High Street) and Sam Wilkinson (Head of Public Art and Cultural Engagement, UCL).

Headed by Bow Arts and supported by a network of local supporting partners, including The British Council, Dulux, The Line, LLDC, UCL, V&A East and Whitechapel Gallery, the Prize forms part of our ongoing support and development of opportunities for artists.

What is the East London Art Prize?

The East London Art Prize is an all-media art prize designed to showcase the talent of artists working and living in east London, with an accompanying event programme supporting artists’ careers and opportunities.

What are the prizes?

First prize is a £15,000 cash prize and a solo exhibition at the Nunnery Gallery. The winner's solo exhibition will be developed with Sophie Hill, Director of Arts & Events, and will take place in Jan / Feb 2026, a year after the winner’s announcement. Second prize is a year’s free studio space at one of Bow Arts’ studio sites. All artists selected for the shortlist exhibition will also receive a year of mentorship.

Who runs the prize?

The prize is run by affordable studio provider Bow Arts with financial support from our sponsor Minerva Search. We’ve been working in east London supporting artists for over 25 years.

Who supports the prize?

As a prize that celebrates east London, we are supported by a network of local partners who provide opportunities for both the prize’s activity and winners. These include The British Council, Dulux, The Line, LLDC (London Legacy Development Corporation), University College London, V&A East and Whitechapel Gallery. We will partner with our supporters for the Prize's event programme and they will also offer academic, archival and other opportunities for the winner during the forming of the winner's exhibition.

Who can enter?

The prize is open to any artist living or working within an ‘E’ postcode, encompassing E1-E20, SE1-SE28 and EC1-EC4. Submitting artists should hold an arts degree, equivalent arts qualification, or be able to show demonstrable commitment to their artistic practice. Artist collectives/joint submissions are accepted. You will be asked to provide your east London postcode when you submit to prove your eligibility – if this is your work address, this should be work that is linked to your artistic practice, e.g. your studio address, school where you work as an artist educator.

What media is accepted?

All media types are accepted, including (but not limited to!) painting, print, drawing, sculpture, digital, film, audio, ceramics, textiles and performance.

How many works can I submit?

You can submit one work, though you can also include information about your practice more generally / a link to your website in your application. Judging will be on the work you submit and, if selected, it is this work that will be part of the Prize's shortlist exhibition.

Who judges the prize?

Each year the prize is judged by a different selection panel. The 2025 prize will be judged by This year's judges are Louise Benson (critic), Phoebe Collings-James (artist), Jonny Tanna (Director, Harlesden High Street) and Sam Wilkinson (Head of Public Art and Cultural Engagement, UCL).

How does the judging work?

All the judging will be done digitally, using the images(s) you submit when applying. The judging panel will longlist online then come together for a judging day to discuss and create the Prize shortlist. The shortlist will form a group exhibition, from which the overall winner and runner-up will be announced.

When will the winner be announced?

The winner will be announced from the shortlist exhibition, which will take place at the Nunnery Gallery in January 2025. Some shortlisted works may also be displayed across east London at other partner venues. Shortlisted artists will be notified by October 2024.

How often does the prize take place?

The prize takes place every other year, presenting two exhibitions across this time: a shortlist exhibition following the Open Call, from which the winners will be announced; and a winner’s exhibition the year following.

How do I apply?

Apply using the following submission form. Submissions are charged at £10, or a concession rate of £7*. The current call for entries deadline is midnight Tuesday 27th August 2024.

*Concessions include students, those currently on job seekers allowance, or over 65s.