In a world of fleeting images, what does it mean to truly see? The 8th John Ruskin Prize 2025 invites artists, designers, and makers to explore this very question with its thought-provoking theme, “Patience in Looking, Truth in Making”. This prestigious UK-based prize, now open to international artists, challenges creators to move beyond the superficial and connect the deep act of observation with the integrity of creation. With a submission deadline of December 2, 2025, this is a call to artists who believe that art has the power to reveal universal truths.
The John Ruskin Prize is quickly becoming one of the most significant multi-disciplinary art prizes out there, celebrated for championing work that defies easy categorization. For its 8th edition, the prize welcomes a vast range of media, including, for the first time, photography. The prize pool is substantial, with a top award of £3,000. Entry fees are tiered, starting from £20 for artists under 26, making it an accessible and important entry in any serious artist’s photo contest calendar.
Contents
Prizes
The John Ruskin Prize offers a range of cash awards designed to give artists at different stages of their careers a real boost and to recognize excellence across various disciplines.
- 1st Prize: £3,000.
- The Alan Davidson Under 26 Prize: £1,000. This award is specifically for artists, designers, and makers under the age of 26.
- Ruskin Mill Trust Prize: £3,000. This prize is awarded for a beautifully crafted functional object that celebrates civility.
- Chelsea Arts Club Trust Prize for mid-career: £2,500. This award is for a mid-career artist with a dedicated practice who is not currently represented by a gallery.
Related Photo Contests
Categories or Themes
The John Ruskin Prize is a multi-disciplinary award and doesn’t have specific categories. Instead, all submissions are judged on their response to the central theme: “Patience in Looking, Truth in Making”. The prize is open to a wide array of media, including drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography, textiles, animation, mixed media, digital art, performance, and installation.
Dates and Entry Fees
Here is the timeline for the John Ruskin Prize 2025:
Key Dates:
- Submission Deadline: December 2, 2025
- Awards Ceremony: January 28, 2026
- Exhibition: January 29 to February 8, 2026
Entry Fees:
The fees are tiered to accommodate different numbers of submissions.
| Entry Type | 1 Artwork | 2 Artworks | 3 Artworks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Entry | £25 | £40 | £50 |
| Under 26 Entry | £20 | £25 | £38 |
| International Digital Entry | £15 | £20 | £30 |
How to Enter:
Submissions are made through an online application portal. You can submit up to three images for each artwork, and each image file must be a JPEG under 5MB. You will also need to provide the dimensions and, if applicable, the weight of your work. For film or video submissions, the duration should not exceed 10 minutes at the submission stage.
About the Jury
Your work will be reviewed by a distinguished panel of experts from across the art world. The selection panel includes sculptor Julian Wild, CEO of The Box Victoria Pomery OBE, historian and writer Neal Shasore, artist and Director at UCL Slade Mary Evans, and a Director of the Guild of St George, Nichola Johnson OBE. This diverse and experienced group brings a wealth of knowledge to the selection process.
Why Enter The 8th John Ruskin Prize?
This is an invitation to join a conversation that started centuries ago, connecting with a rich intellectual and artistic legacy. The John Ruskin Prize challenges you to think deeply about your own work and to create something that is not only beautiful but also truly meaningful. Just being shortlisted is a huge achievement, offering a significant platform to showcase your work in an exhibition at Trinity Buoy Wharf in London, a vibrant cultural hub.
The prize has a growing reputation for discovering and promoting artists whose work doesn’t fit neatly into a box, making it a fantastic opportunity if you have a unique creative voice. While the prize money is substantial and can provide a real boost, the value of this competition goes far beyond the financial. The connection to John Ruskin, a visionary thinker who championed the link between art, nature, and society, lends a unique prestige. If you’re looking for the best photography competitions to enter, the intellectual depth and prestige of this prize make it an unmissable opportunity.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of The 8th John Ruskin Prize has been generated automatically. If you are interested in participating in this contest we suggest you review the complete rules provided by the contest.
Rules
The prize is open to all artists, designers, and makers aged 18 and over, of any nationality. Your work must have been created within the last four years and must respond to the theme. Both individual artists and collectives can apply. For the exhibition, 2D work should not exceed 2.4m in any dimension, and 3D work has a maximum height of 8 feet (2.4m). International entrants can choose to have their work exhibited digitally if selected.
Copyright and Image Usage
You retain full copyright of your work. By entering, you grant the organizers the right to photograph and reproduce your work for promotional purposes related to the prize, including catalogues, press, and social media. Any inquiries for copyright will be referred directly to you, the artist.
For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.
