Royal Watercolour Society OPEN 2026
Deadline
November 28, 2025
30 days left
Application Fee
FEES
Rewards
Multiple Rewards
Interest
High
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About This Opportunity
Formerly known as the Contemporary Watercolour Competition (among many other names during the exhibition's 50+ year history), the RWS Open is one of the largest open-submission water-media exhibitions in the world, attracting thousands of submissions nationally and internationally each year. Successful applicants in the early stages of their art career often consider exhibiting as a springboard to other successes such as forming relationships with collectors, gallerists and curators. Not forgetting to mention that many exhibitors go on to become successfully elected RWS Members.
The Society celebrates water media in all its forms including ink, acrylic, gouache, tempera...the list goes on. For 2026 the RWS would like to invite artists of all backgrounds, at any stage of their career to submit works on paper in any (and all) water-based-media.
**Successful applicants can expect**
* To have their selected artwork be included in the RWS Open exhibition at Bankside Gallery, located next to Tate Modern on the Thames Path
* Eligibility to win awards on this year's prize list, including the RWS Young Artist Award & the Michael Harding Grand Prize
* Their selected artwork to appear on the Royal Watercolour Society website for the duration of the exhibition and beyond
* To be part of a network of present and past exhibiting artists
* Opportunities to meet Members of the RWS for networking and potential Membership proposal
What You'll Get
Types: CASHPRIZE, PUBLICATION, OTHER, EXHIBITION
* David Gluck Memorial Award | £1000 Cash Prize * David Benson Memorial Award | £500 Cash Prize * RWS Award | £250 Cash Prize * RWS New Graduate Award\* | £250 Cash Prize & a Michael Harding Urban Watercolour Set * RWS Young Artist Award\*\* | Guest Membership to the RWS for 2 years to an artist under the age of 35, allowing the winner(s) to exhibit in all Society exhibitions at Bankside Gallery for this period & a Michael Harding On the Move Watercolour Set * RWS Publicity Prize | Your selected work on exhibition publicity material
Application Requirements
- APPLICATION_FORMS
- ARTWORK_PORTFOLIO
- ARTIST_STATEMENT
- CV
- PROJECT_DESCRIPTION
- LETTER_OF_INTENT
- MOTIVATION_LETTER
Eligibility
Other Requirements
● Any painting where a water-based medium is the main component of the work is eligible. Paintings in watercolour, acrylic, gouache, ink, any other water-based media or a combination are accepted. ● No prints, copies, reproductions or photographs are eligible ● All work should be on a paper support i.e. paper, cardboard, etc (not canvas, wood, plastic or any other surface) ● There are no limitations on style or subject matter ● Framed works must not exceed 200 x 200cm ● The painting must have been completed in the last 4 years from the deadline date (28th November 2025) ● All works must be an original creation by the artist ● All work must be for sale ● Applicants must be living and aged 18 or over on Monday 1st of October 2025
Royal Watercolour Society
London, GB
Verified Organization
Active since 2020
Ready to take the next step?
Don't miss out on this opportunity. Applications close on November 28, 2025.