What is the concept of Young Masters?

Young Masters is a not for profit organisation with a mission to support and reward contemporary artists who look back to the art of the past and art history to inspire their work, whether through technique, concept, theme or medium. 

We are looking for artists who show originality, skill and imagination in response to the art of the past. You can interpret this as widely and creatively as you wish. For artists working in Ceramics there is a dedicated Young Masters Maylis Grand Ceramics Prize, which runs concurrently with the Young Masters Art Prize.

Young Masters is judged by an independent panel of art world curators, collectors, artists, patrons and supporters.

Shortlisted artists will be featured in an exhibition in central London, and in a printed catalogue. All shortlisted artists will be invited to the Prize Giving ceremony, and featured on our website, in our e-shot newsletters, and on our Instagram page.

To apply, please visit CuratorSpace to submit your work by the extended deadline on 9 July 2023.

How old do I have to be to enter?

The prize is open to artists over the age of 18. There is no upper age limit, and you don’t have to be ‘young’ to enter.

Are there any restrictions on who can apply?

Artists from anywhere in the world can apply. There are no requirements to be either a professional artist or to have attended art school or formal education.

I have gallery representation, can I apply?

Yes, Young Masters has a long tradition of collaboration with galleries and agents. Please note, all works shortlisted should be available for sale by Young Masters Art Prize.

I work in ceramics, how do I enter the Maylis Grand Ceramics Prize?

Please enter using the dedicated form for entries to the Young Masters Maylis Grand Ceramics Prize. You can find this on the drop-down menu under ‘make a submission’.

How and when do I enter?

Entries are made by online via CuratorSpace – the form will be live on 28 April 2023 and open until the deadline on the 11 June 2023.

What does my application need to include?

We ask for a short artist statement, a CV in pdf format, and images of up to recent two recent artworks (created no earlier than October 2019). 

Please upload good quality images that show the entirety of the work/s you are submitting.

How is my entry judged?

The first round of judging is completed digitally. The winners are selected following an in person viewing of their work at the Young Masters Art Prize exhibition.  

Please ensure images of your work are of a high quality and as clear as possible to allow the judges to complete the first round of judging.

How much does it cost to enter?

The fee of £38 allows you to submit up to two artworks. The submission fee is used for the sole purpose of running the Prize. Artists may enter more works as additional entries.

Who are the judges?

Young Masters Art Prize Judges

·        Jean Wainwright (academic, University of Creative Arts)

·        Roland Cowen (architect at Cowen + Cowen, philanthropist and collector)

·        Ruth Millington (Sotheby’s Institute, career and development and art critic and author)

·        Sadie Clayton (artist, children’s TV presenter of BBC show Britain’s Best Young Artist, influencer)

·        Kimathi Donkor (artist, educator and academic, University of the Arts London)

·        Brad Blume (collector, philanthropist, theatre producer)

Young Masters Maylis Grand Ceramics Prize Judges

·        Maylis Grand (collector and philanthropist)

·        Preston Fitzgerald (collector, art advisor, chairman of the Crafts Council patrons and chairman of the Cockpit Arts Patrons)

·        Annie Warburton (CEO Cockpit Arts)

·        Daniella Wells (Crafts Council, artistic director of COLLECT)

·        Chris Bramble (artist, educator, director Kingsgate Studios)

·        Bisila Noha (artist, art advisor, London LGBTQ+ Community Centre Project)

Young Masters Emerging Woman Art Prize Judges

·        Dr Chris Blatchley (collector and scientist)

·        Vestalia Chiltern (Director of Kensington + Chelsea Art Trail & Art Week and Founding Director of the Do Good Placemaking Company)

·        Charmaine Beneyto (Artist, director, writer, curator. Founder of CB-Art Advisory and artist at Procreate Project)

What are the prizes?

The prizes are as follows:

Young Masters Art Prize: 

A Winner’s Prize of £1,500, sponsored by Evelyn Partners

Two Honorary Commendation Awards of £500, courtesy the Artists’ Collecting Society (ACS)

Young Masters Maylis Grand Ceramics Prize: 

A Winner’s Prize of £1,000, generously sponsored by James and Maylis Grand

A Highly Commended Award of £500, generously sponsored by James and Maylis Grand

Emerging Woman Artist Award:

£1,000, generously sponsored by Dr Chris Blatchley, along with mentoring, career advice and inclusion in an upcoming Art Fair with Cynthia Corbett Gallery

Cockpit Prize:

Two shortlisted artists working within the expanded field of craft will receive the new Cockpit Prize from Cockpit, including four sessions with a Cockpit business coach, and participation in the Make It Count programme.

Paintings in Hospitals Prize

A new award of £500 given by UK charity Paintings in Hospitals, for an artist whose work responds to a health and wellbeing theme.

People’s Choice Award:

£500, Sponsored by Brownhill Insurance, selected by a public vote hosted on the Young Masters website.

Rudolph Blume Foundation Acquisition Award:

Acquisition of a work by an artist shortlisted for the Young Masters Art Prize or Young Masters Maylis Grand Ceramics Prize.

When is Young Masters Art Prize 2023 exhibition?

The exhibition of shortlisted artists will take place at 67 York Street, London in two parts:

Ceramics Prize shortlist exhibition: 3 – 8 October 2023

Art Prize shortlist exhibition: 10 – 15 October 2023

What happens if I’m selected?

If your work is selected for the shortlist, you will be invited to send your work to London for the exhibition.

Works submitted must be available for sale. A sale price should be included when submitting. Young Masters takes a 50% commission from the sale price.

Artists are responsible for organising and paying for shipping their work to and from London, including insurance and any import and export duties payable.

Any unsold work will be available for the artist to collect after a six-month consignment period has lapsed.

All shortlisted artists will be required to pay a contribution towards storing their work with our partners, Art Logistics, at a heavily subsidised rate of £75 for the 6-month period. Shortlisted artists will also receive expert advice from Art Logistics on importing their work to the UK, if required.

What are the terms and conditions?

Please CLICK HERE to read the terms and conditions.

I have a question – is there someone I can contact?

Please contact info@young-masters.co.uk if you have any questions regarding the Prize.