Cass Art, the UK’s best-loved online and high street art supply retailer, has announced the return of The Cass Art Prize for 2026, offering artists across the UK and the Republic of Ireland the opportunity to exhibit their work in central London and compete for a prize fund which now exceeds £30,000. Submissions open from 4 March 2026 until 12 May 2026

Cass Art is inviting submissions from artists of all abilities – from professionals to students, teachers and enthusiastic amateurs. As well as the £10,000 cash Main Prize, category awards include cash prizes, art supplies, professional development opportunities and exhibition opportunities. A new category in 2026 is the Large-Scale Artwork Award, recognising ambitious works created on a bold scale.

The Cass Art Prize 2026 exhibition will take place at The Bomb Factory, Marylebone, with a private view and prize-giving ceremony on Thursday 5 November 2026. The public exhibition will run from 6-14 November 2026.

Once again, a highly distinguished panel will be judging the entries. This year’s judges are: art historian and author Katy Hessel, artists Phoebe Boswell, Daniel Crews-Chubb, Kaye Donachie and Antonia Showering, curator, writer and broadcaster Ekow Eshun and founder of Ginny On Frederick Freddie Powell.

Now in its third year, the Cass Art Prize continues its mission to celebrate creativity at every level while championing emerging and established artistic talent.

The winner of the 2025 main prize was satirical artist WOTW (W*ankers of the World) for his provocative installation Who Do You Support? The piece reimagines our never-ending culture war and increasingly divisive politics as football culture, pitting sides against each other in 27 ‘half-and-half’ football scarves. The artist, who works anonymously, attended the prizegiving in a mask to preserve his identity.

The winner of the inaugural main prize in 2024 was rising British artist Reuben Murray, for Ada, his portrait of an extraordinary Jamaican Maroon with a Nigerian Yoruba name. The moving piece told the story of African slaves who freed themselves to establish communities of free black people in Jamaica.

The Cass Art Prize 2024 People’s Choice Award made headlines around the world after Ruqaiya Asim, a blind art student, had a remarkable win for her piece Communication With My Guide Dog.

The Cass Art Prize continues the Cass family’s monumental legacy of supporting artists for more than 125 years. From championing the works of Monet and Van Gogh in 1890s Europe to facilitating the first three commissions on the Fourth Plinth at Trafalgar Square. The Cass Art Prize keeps this pioneering spirit alive and thriving in the 2020s.

Mark Cass, Founder and CEO of Cass Art says: “We’re delighted to be bringing back The Cass Art Prize for its third year. There is such outstanding talent to be admired – from artists of all abilities, backgrounds and ages – and it’s been an honour to continue my family’s long and proud heritage by celebrating and showcasing so many remarkable works of art. With a fantastic new judging panel and an expanded prize fund, we can’t wait to see what this year’s entries bring.”

There will also be dedicated awards for a selection of Cass Group staff. Many are artists and offer expert advice in Cass Art’s 13 stores across the UK.

Everyone is encouraged to enter the Cass Art Prize 2026. Entry fees are £12 for 1 entry, £8 per additional entry. Student entry fees are £10 for 1 entry, £6 per additional entry. Art educators entry fees are £10 for 1 entry, £8 per additional entry. All artists may submit up to four works.