evening standard art prize cash win

Artists – listen up: the Evening Standard Art Prize is back and there’s £5,000 cash up for grabs for the winner. First launched back in 2017, the competition provides an invaluable opportunity for artistic talent across the country to get their work in front of an impressive judging panel and catch the eye of important industry figures.

For this year’s competition, Evening Standard has joined forces with Editions de Parfum Frédéric Malle to offer a £5,000 cash prize and a bespoke fragrance to the winner, while the 12 shortlisted submissions will be brought together in an exhibition at Cromwell Place in London.

Introducing this year’s theme

The theme for 2023 is ‘A Portrait of You’, and this year we’re asking for something a little different. Artists in the fields of sculpture, textiles, ceramics, glassware, jewellery and wood carving are invited to submit a work, or a coherent series of works, that celebrates self-expression and the individuality and personality that can be shown through their art form. Entries must be the artist’s own work and can be of any size but must fit easily through a standard door frame (1981cm x 762cm).

Entrants will be required to submit three to five images of their work, from different angles and distances, along with 150-200 words about themselves and their submission. The competition launches on 25 April and runs for six weeks – you have until 15 June 2023 to submit an entry. It is open to all artists, excluding those who have had a solo exhibition in a public institution.

Meet the Evening Standard Art Prize judges

Submissions will be judged by an expert panel chaired by Nancy Durrant, Evening Standard’s Culture editor. She will be joined by Evening Standard Magazine editor Ben Cobb; perfume icon and brand founder Frédéric Malle; artist Aowen Jin; and other soon-to-be-announced names. Judges from previous years have included writer and cultural critic Olivia Laing and acclaimed artist Chantal Joffe.

Once judges have decided on a shortlist of 12, the submissions will be displayed in an exhibition at Cromwell Place, where the judges will decide upon a winner. The announcement will be made at a special event. In 2017, HelenA Pritchard received the accolade for her work created in homage to London; and at the following year’s event, Ashton Attzs triumphed for their joyful tribute to transgender identity.

Considering just how difficult it is to break into the art world without connections and support, the chance for up-and-coming artists to platform their work is exciting for both talent and industry figures alike. With previous entrants and winners going on to have their own solo exhibitions and brand collaborations, there’s no denying just how great a springboard the Evening Standard Art Prize can be.

To enter, visit artprize.standard.co.uk

Terms & Conditions: 18+. UK residents only. Promotion closes at 23:59 on Thursday 15 June 2023. There is one prize of £5,000 in cash and a bespoke fragrance by Frédéric Malle. One entry per person. The artwork must be an original piece, may not exceed 1981cm x 762cm. Submit your details, the dimensions and title of the artwork, a supporting statement of 150-200 words and 3-5 different images of the work at artprize.standard.co.uk. The winning entry will be the favourite entry selected by the judges. Shortlisted artworks will need to be delivered by 4 September 2023 and finalists must be available to attend an event in London during that week. By entering, you agree that The Evening Standard and Frédéric Malle may reproduce your name, image and artwork in future marketing. Frédéric Malle is solely responsible for the prize and winners should contact them with any issues over fulfilment. Usual promotion rules apply, see www.standard.co.uk/rules. For further information, please write to Customer Care, Evening Standard Limited, Alphabeta, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London, England, EC2A 1AH. Promoters: Evening Standard and Frédéric Malle.