The 2025 Open Art Competition & Selling Exhibition

Our annual open art competition is open to any artist, in any medium including (but not restricted to) painting, drawing, pastels, mixed media, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics & glass.

Any artist from across the UK can enter, but we do have a separate prize for best entry from a local artist.

We had 580 entries from across the UK in 2024. Take a look at the Prize Winners and those Highly Commended

This year we have increased the prize pot and added a new prize category for Mixed Media.

Prizes:

  • Main prize (any medium): £1000 – sponsored by Wychavon District Council
  • Main prize runner up (any medium): £250 art materials voucher sponsored by Cotswold Art Supplies
  • Visitor’s Choice Prize – an overnight stay for 2 with dinner at Grill by James Martin at The Lygon Arms Hotel in Broadway
  • Painting in Oils or Acrylics Prize £500 – sponsored by Priory Gallery in Broadway
  • Watercolour Prize £500 – sponsored by John Noott Galleries (Founder’s Prize)
  • Sculpture / 3D Prize £500 – sponsored by Susan & Jason Lewis (Trustee)
  • Mixed Media Prize – sponsored by Sharon Stirling & Mark Ward (Trustee)
  • Local Artist Prize of a solo weekend show – sponsored by / at Broadway Contemporary Gallery
  • Best entry from a new entrant £500 – sponsored by the Painter’s Company Charities

We have a panel of esteemed judges, including category judges from the sponsors.

Artists’ work that is selected for the final judging stage form an exclusive selling exhibition at Bretforton Theatrebarn from 26th September-5th October 2025, open daily from 11am – 4pm. Entry to the exhibition is free and there is ample free parking right outside. The exhibition space is all on the ground floor.

Some of our finalists will be demonstrating live during the exhibition . There is a demo area in between the two main exhibition areas where artists will be able to work on a piece and chat with exhibition visitors.

Entries will open on 1st May through a link to an online form that will appear on this web page.

Main entry deadline is 6pm Monday 18th August

We realise that some of you will require a little extra time, so there is a late entry deadline of 6pm on Friday 22nd August. Late entries are charged at £25 per entry.

Terms:

  • There is no theme to adhere to
  • Anyone over the age of 16 can enter
  • All entries qualified for the main prize (any medium)
  • Entries must be original artwork (e.g. no limited edition Giclee prints)
  • Unlimited entries are permitted, however only one entry per artist could progress to the finals and exhibition (to increase the number of artists represented in the exhibition).
  • Artists can submit multiple entries for the same prize category
  • The maximum size for all framed work was 1 metre x 1 metre (to include any frame) – not applicable to sculpture
  • To qualify for the local artist prize category, artists need to reside in Worcestershire, Gloucestershire or Warwickshire.
  • The title and price of your entry cannot be altered once the entry has been submitted.
  • As 35% of the sale price of sold work will go to defray the costs of curating the competition and supporting the charitable work of the Broadway Arts Festival, please price your work accordingly.
For the 150 finalists, handing in artwork for the finalists exhibition will take place on Tuesday 23rd September. Handing back days for unsold pieces will be Sunday 5th October 4-5:30pm and Monday 6th October 10am-12pm.

Key Dates:

  • Entries open: 1st May
  • Main entry deadline: 6pm 18th Aug
  • Late entry deadline:  6pm 22nd Aug
  • Judging takes place to select the 150 finalists: 25th to 28th Aug
  • Finalists & non-finalists notified by email Friday 29th Aug
  • Handing in artwork at Theatrebarn: all day on Tuesday 23rd Sept
  • Prize judging takes place on Thursday 25th Sept
  • Exhibition opens to the public: 11am Friday 26th Sept
  • Private View Fri 26th Sept (all finalists invited)
  • Open daily from 11am – 4pm
  • Exhibition closes Sunday 6th Oct at 4pm
  • Handing back unsold entries: 4pm – 5:30pm on Sunday 6th Oct and 10am-12pm Monday 7th Oct

For any further queries please email competition@broadwayartsfestival.com or leave a message on 01386 898387.

The Judges

Frequently Asked Questions

Entries must be a maximum of 1 m x 1m (to include the frame).

No, we ask that entries are complete at the time of submission as the first stage of judging is done via the image submitted at the time of entry. These cannot be updated at a later date.

In sort, yes.

Broadway Arts Festival is an arts charity and the cost of holding and curating the competition and exhibition is significant.

Any monies left over after costs go towards the running of the festival, our student bursary scheme and schools outreach programme which pays for workshops in schools and trips.

Entry fees have remained the same in 2025 as they were in 2023 & 2024.

Sadly not. The entry process is online in order to reduce admin burden and cost as we are a charity.

Entry fee payment needs to be via credit or debit card when completing the entry form. See the bottom of the form.

In short, no. This creates too much admin burden and can cause confusion and errors in the system.

In short, no. This creates too much admin burden and can cause confusion and errors in the system.

Please note:

35% of the sale price of sold work goes to defray the costs of curating the competition and supporting the charitable work of the Broadway Arts Festival. The remaining 65% is paid to the artist via bank transfer once the sale has been processed.

To withdraw an entry please email competition@broadwayartsfestival.com and provide your name, email address and entry title stating that you would like it to be withdrawn. Unfortunately we cannot refund your entry fee.

The competition is open to anyone age 16 or over.

There is not a children’s competition, but do look out for the many events and activities for the younger generation at the next festival.

For those pieces that make it through to the finalist exhibition, all work must be insured by the entrant.
A-N, Hiscox and Axisweb all offer artists insurance.
If you join the SAA you get insurance automatically.

You can ship your artwork to the exhibition organiser at her home address (not Theatrebarn), but it MUST arrive on or before the 15th September between 9am and 6pm. Email competition@broadwayartsfestival.com to arrange this.

However if your work does not sell, you must arrange for collection. We do not package and ship.

Apologies, but no.

Yes, however if you can supply a plinth for sculpture or small easel for paintings, that would be much appreciated.

We will notify you by phone if your entry sells or if there is an offer placed on your work. We will check we have your phone number at hand in.
35% of the sale price of sold work goes to defray the costs of curating the competition and supporting the charitable work of the Broadway Arts Festival.
You will need to email your bank details to finance@broadwayartsfestival.com so we can transfer the remaining 65% directly into your bank account. You will then be emailed a record of your sale.

If your entry does not sell (i.e. if you don’t hear from us), or is not for sale, please collect your artwork between 4-5:30pm on Sunday 5th October or between 10am-12pm on Monday 6th October.

Apologies, but no.

Unsold work needs to be collected from the venue between 4-5:30pm on Sunday October 5th or between 10am-12pm on Monday 6th October.

Bretforton Theatrebarn

2025 Exhibition Venue

The exhibition will be open daily from 26th September – 5th October 11am-4pm, there is ample free parking at the venue.

2025 Broadway Arts Festival Art Competition Exhibition