The Northern School of Art Foundation Art Prize 2026

The Northern School of Art Foundation Art Prize 2026 is a regional competition celebrating the creativity of young artists. The prize accepts original still-image and video-based work and is judged by the UAL Foundation Diploma in Art and Design team at the Middlesbrough campus alongside representatives from Bloomin Arts and the Schools Further Education leadership.

Submissions must be the entrants own work and should not be submitted if created specifically for formal assessment (for example, GCSE or A Level final outcomes). There are two age categories: Years 9 11 (approx.

ages 14 6) for entrants living in the Tees Valley, and Years 12 13 (approx. ages 16 8) for entrants living across the North East and Yorkshire and the Humber. Cash prizes, creative materials vouchers and a school contribution towards art materials will be awarded across both categories, and shortlisted work will be exhibited as part of the Schools Summer Show.

Key dates: the competition launched on 11 February 2026, the submission deadline is 01 May 2026, shortlisted entrants are notified by 29 May 2026, and the exhibition of shortlisted work runs from 17 to 24 June 2026 with the awards presentation on 18 June 2026. Entrants should submit via the online entry form on the Northern School of Art website.