The 9th John Ruskin Prize is an international multidisciplinary art competition founded by the Guild of St George and organised by Parker Harris under the administrative umbrella of The Big Draw. The 2026 edition is themed “Not for Present Delight,” inviting artists, designers, and makers to explore creative work that reflects on consequence, responsibility, and the purpose of making in the face of contemporary environmental and social challenges.
The competition welcomes submissions across a wide range of media, including drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography, textiles, animation, digital media, installation, performance, and mixed-media practice. Selected works will be exhibited at Trinity Buoy Wharf in London, providing shortlisted entrants with the opportunity to present their work in a major public exhibition.
Open to both emerging and established practitioners worldwide, the John Ruskin Prize encourages thoughtful responses to its annual theme while celebrating excellence across disciplines. By bringing together artists, designers, and makers from diverse backgrounds, the prize continues to promote meaningful dialogue between contemporary creative practice and John Ruskin’s enduring ideas.
Entry fee: Standard entry: £25 for 1 artwork, £40 for 2 artworks, or £50 for 3 artworks; Under 26 entry: £20 for 1 artwork, £25 for 2 artworks, or £38 for 3 artworks; International digital entry: £15 for 1 artwork, £20 for 2 artworks, or £30 for 3 artworks.
Eligibility
Open to artists, designers and makers worldwide aged 18 or over, whether amateur or professional, including collectives, submitting original work created within the past four years that responds to the theme and can be submitted digitally.
Prize
Four prizes totaling £9,500 will be awarded: First Prize (£3,000), the Alan Davidson Under 26 Prize (£1,000), the Ruskin Mill Trust Prize (£3,000), and the Chelsea Arts Club Award (£2,500). Shortlisted works will be selected for exhibition at Trinity Buoy Wharf in London.
