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 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. The entire shortlist is presented at an exhibition at the Nunnery Gallery, with all artists given mentoring and career development opportunities.
Headed by Bow Arts and supported by a network of local supporting partners, including The British Council, Dulux, The Line, LCF, 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.
Who runs the prize?
The prize is run by affordable studio provider Bow Arts with financial support from our sponsors Minerva and Prue MacLeod. We’ve been working in east London supporting artists for over 27 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, London College of Fashion (LCF), London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC), University College London (UCL), V&A East and Whitechapel Gallery.
We partner with our supporters for the Prize’s event programme and they also offer academic, archival and other opportunities for the winners and shortlist.
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 practice. Artist collectives/joint submissions are accepted.
Only one artwork may be submitted per entry.
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. There is no size / length of digital work restriction.
Who judges the prize?
Each year the prize is judged by a different selection panel. The 2025 Prize 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).
What are the prizes?
First prize is a £15,000 cash prize and a solo exhibition at the Nunnery Gallery. The exhibition will be developed with the Nunnery Gallery and take place a year after the winner’s announcement.
Second prize is a year’s free studio space at one of Bow Arts’ studio sites.
The entire shortlist is presented in an exhibition at the Nunnery Gallery and each shortlisted artist is given mentoring and career development opportunties, supported by the Prize partners.
How can I apply?
Apply using our online application form on the Zealous platform here
The deadline for submissions is Tuesday 27 August at midnight.
Who won the prize in 2023?
In 2023 Kat Anderson won the East London Art Prize with her two-channel film installation ‘John’. The East London Art Prize Winner’s Exhibition was titled Mark of Cane and debuted in February 2024 at the Nunnery Gallery.
Cora Sehgal-Cuthbert was the runner-up with her work ‘My Life and Yours, Birth Beer and Sex’.
How often does the prize take place?
The prize takes place every other year. The open call for the 2025 Prize launched in May 2024.
Over the Prize’s two year cycle, two exhibitions take place: 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 find out about the latest prize news and events?
Follow the East London Art Prize Instagram or sign up to the Bow Arts mailing list to learn all our latest news and to find out about events.
Who is the sponsor?
Minerva is the sponsor of the East London Art Prize, committed to championing the talent of east London. Founded in 2013, Minerva provides executive search and leadership services for clients across the cultural, social impact and education sectors. They stand out for our commitment to diversity, leadership development and supporting governance.
Their commitment to art has been at the heart of the firm since they started, including previously sponsoring the FBA Futures exhibition at the Mall Galleries and working with the Van Gogh House in Brixton supporting summer residencies.
About the 2023 East London Art Prize
East London Art Prize 2023: The Winners
Kat Anderson and Cora Sehgal Cuthbert were the winners of the 2023 prize.
East London Art Prize 2023 Shortlist
Read about the artists shortlisted for the 2023 prize and the East London Art Prize shortlist exhibition.
East London Art Prize 2023 Events Programme
The East London Art Prize is accompanied by a dynamic, free public programme to provide ongoing supprt and opportunities to artists in east London and beyond.
More questions?
Get in contact with us at nunnery@bowarts.com