Apply for Stourbridge Glass Museum’s Artefacts of the Future Awards

Glass artists are invited to apply for Stourbridge Glass Museum’s new ‘Artefacts of the Future Awards’ – a competition celebrating excellence in contemporary glassmaking that will see four winners have their work acquired for the museum’s permanent collection.

The competition is open to glass artists worldwide, working in any technique – from blown and kiln-formed glass to sand cast, sculptural, neon, stained glass, flameworked, and mixed media – provided glass remains a central component of the finished work.

The museum’s collection spans thousands of years, including extraordinary objects such as Horus, a 3,500-year-old Egyptian glass fragment discovered within the bandages of a mummy. These pieces connect visitors directly to the past. Now the museum asks: What objects from our time will endure? It invites artists to submit exceptional works that capture the spirit, innovation, and material language of contemporary glass.

Having collected ten major awards itself over the past year, Stourbridge Glass Museum now wants to use its platform to champion the work of others.

“We’ve had an extraordinary year and the recognition has been a testament to the passion and creativity of our team and the artists we work with,” said Alexander Goodger, Director of Stourbridge Glass Museum. “Launching the Artefacts of the Future Awards feels like the natural next step. We want to use our momentum to shine a light on the incredible talent working in glass today and to build a collection that truly represents the very best of contemporary practice.”

The four winning artists will each receive:

£1,000 acquisition prize (inclusive of materials, production and delivery);

A commemorative trophy;

An official certificate recognising their work as an Artefact of the Future Award winner.

The winners will be announced and presented with their prizes during A Celebration of Glass, the Stourbridge Glass Festival, taking place over the weekend of 21 August 2026. The winning works will go on permanent display at the museum from 1 October 2026.

Entries will be judged by a panel comprising Allister Malcolm (award-winning glass artist specialising in sustainability and Founding Trustee of the British Glass Foundation), Corrina Field MA (glass artist and Events & Education Coordinator at Stourbridge Glass Museum), Graham Knowles MBE (Chair of the British Glass Foundation and museum founder), and Helen Taylor PGDip (Curator at Stourbridge Glass Museum and Established Museum Professional).

Submissions are open now and close on 1 July 2026.

Artists are invited to submit completed works for consideration via Curatorspace. Find out more and apply via this link.