now open for submissions : Bath Open Art Prize 2025

Deadline Sun 14 Sept 2025 at midnight

Open to All Artists worldwide, media, all genres
Exhibition of selected works: 16 Oct to 1 Nov 2025 at 44AD artspace in Bath, UK
Prizes of £750 / £250 / £50 / group show / solo exhibition

Organised by Fringe Arts Bath, this open call welcomes all Visual Artists, at any stage of their career, from across the globe.

Now in its 13th year, the Bath Open Art Prize accepts submissions across all genres and mediums; including video, painting, photography, textile, digital, print and 3D. Small installations and performance are also considered.

An exhibition of works selected by 2025 judges Dr Lucy Gundry and Patrizia Ribul takes place at 44AD artspace in Bath, UK from 16 Oct to 1 Nov 2025.

Submission fees:
For 1 artwork the fee is £22
For up to 3 artworks the fee is £33

Fringe Arts Bath (FaB) is a non-profit organisation run by volunteers. Your entry fees not only cover production of the Bath Open Art Prize exhibition, they also help fund FaB's annual visual arts festival and keep it free and accessible for visitors to enjoy.

How to submit my work?

Click on any ‘SUBMISSION PAGE’ button, create an account, and start uploading your info. You can complete your submission and pay straight away, or you can log out and return to your submission form at any time until the deadline.

Patrizia Ribul, Director, Arts & Heritage

Patrizia Ribul is Director of Museums at Bath Preservation Trust (BPT), heading up four museums in Bath.

An established arts and heritage professional, Patrizia has worked in a range of public and private organisations nationally and internationally.

Before joining BPT, Patrizia was the Executive Director at the Burton at Bideford Art Gallery and Museum, and managed the West of England Visual Arts Alliance with partners across the South West from within Spike Island Art Space in Bristol. Previous roles include a longstanding position as the main art buyer for Tate’s Collection as well as advocacy roles at Arts Council England amongst others.

linkedin.com/in/patrizia-ribul

Dr. Lucy Gundry, Curator, Lecturer, Researcher

Lucy is an educator, curator and researcher. Her practice based research in 'enclothed curating' interrogates the lived experiences embodied in clothes worn in and worn out through everyday lives. Lucy disseminates her knowledge through interactive community and educational talks, workshops and exhibitions. 

Lucy holds a PhD (RCA) in the haptic aesthetics of dress in the contemporary exhibition space, an MA in contemporary curating and degrees in textile art and history of design and the visual arts. She is an associate lecturer at Bath Spa University and a researcher on the AHRC practice based Fashion Research Network project between Northumbria University and Parsons School of Design, NY. 

lucygundry.com

Selected works will be exhibited at 44AD artspace in central Bath, UK, from Thurs 16 October to Sat 1 November 2025.

1st Prize: £750 cash sponsored by The Arts Society Wessex Area.

2nd Prize: £250 cash sponsored by The Bell Inn.

People's Choice: £50 art vouchers, sponsored by Minerva Arts Supplies

Solo Exhibition Opportunity provided by 44AD artspace: an exhibition in 44AD artspace's basement gallery.

Huge thanks to our sponsors for the prizes, and all your help:

Fri 31 Oct

Winner of the People’s Choice Award announced

Submission deadline : Sunday 14 Sept 2025 at 23h59

Submission of work:
The Bath Open Art Prize (BOAP) is open to all artists worldwide, of all ages, working across all disciplines.
All works submitted must be original works by the named artist.
All Artists will be told if they have been selected or not by the stated date.
The judges’ decisions are final.
We may be unable to display very large works, we will discuss this with you if needed.

Delivery and insurance:
The Artist is responsible for transportation of the works to and from the venue.
Packaging must be adequate and clearly labelled with name, address and contact. 
Artwork delivered must be the one selected. Any other artworks will not be hung. 
Artists are responsible for insuring their own works.
Fringe Arts Bath and the venue both have Public Liability Insurance.

Display:
All works must be delivered ready for hanging.
Unframed canvases can be hung on the stretcher.
Framed must be prepared with D-rings & string (ideally no mirror plates).
Videos - submit using a link. If selected please send the file.
All work to be labelled with Artists’ name, contact details, title, medium and price (if for sale)

Copyright:
Copyright remains the property of the Artist.
By submitting to the BOAP you agree that FaB may use representations of your work in promotion relating to the BOAP, both online and in print.
The artist will always be credited.
Please notify is in writing via bathopen@fringeartsbath.co.uk if you don’t want your work to be used for promo. 

Sales: 
Please provide prices for any works for sale.
A commission of 20% of all sales with be taken, to be split between the venue and FaB. 
Any work sold must stay in the exhibition until the show has closed. 

FaB is a non-profit making organisation.
The BOAP is a fundraiser for FaB so any monies received beyond costs of producing the exhibition will go towards FaB projects, including FaB Festival. Thank you for your support!