9th John Ruskin Prize open for entries

The 9th John Ruskin Prize is open to entries from artists, designers and makers, amateur or professional, from anywhere in the world.

This year’s theme, ‘Not for Present Delight’, invites artists, designers, and craftspeople to question the role of the maker today, considering what it means to understand the world not only as it is, but as something we can actively shape.

In “The Seven Lamps of Architecture”, Ruskin urged architects and masons to build as much with the future in mind as for the present day. This year’s Prize expands this idea across the fine and applied arts, opening space for reflection and discussion on how creative practices might carry forward-thinking intention, responsibility, and care.

The exhibition welcomes work that functions as a tool for change or critique, while asking the question: Must art serve a purpose beyond itself? Can it exist simply for pleasure, independent of moral or social obligation?

The Prize welcomes works in all mediums, including glass in all forms, drawing, painting, print, sculpture, photography, textile, animation, mixed media, digital, performance, installation and more.

Submissions must be digital in format as work will be viewed and judged digitally.

Work must have been made within the past four years. The main criteria is that the piece engages with the theme. Both individual artists/designers and collectives are eligible to apply.

The selection panel will select work for inclusion in an exhibition at Trinity Buoy Wharf, London, from 28 January to 21 February 2027.

Four winners will receive prizes totalling £9,500: a 1st Prize of £3,000, The Alan Davidson Under 26 Prize of £1,000, Ruskin Mill Trust Prize of £3,000 and the Chelsea Arts Club Award of £2,500.

Deadline to enter: Tuesday 17 November 2026, 5pm.

Find out more and apply via this link.