Compete Wells Art Contemporary 2025
Opportunity Description
International Deadline: July 8, 2025 – Wells Art Contemporary (WAC) is an international competition showcasing innovative visual art across all genres. Established in 2012 and open to artists worldwide, WAC offers a unique opportunity to exhibit in the magnificent setting of Wells Cathedral — often described as “the most poetic of the English cathedrals” and the first Gothic cathedral in England. This beautiful space welcomes 18,000 monthly visitors and offers an inspiring welcome to all artists, regardless of creed, with its pale stone, ethereal light and soaring architecture.
The 2025 exhibition will run from 8 October to 1 November 2025. All entries will be considered by a prestigious panel of selectors, and artists will have the chance to win a wide range of prizes, including cash awards, residencies, mentoring, and more. Work may also be offered for sale during the exhibition. There are two ways to participate:
- Exhibit in the Gallery: Selected artworks will be shown in a white-wall gallery specially built within the Cathedral cloisters. Work in any medium—including painting, drawing, sculpture, print, photography, video, digital, textile, and mixed media—will be considered. The WAC team will handle the hanging and display of all works.
- Create a Site-Specific Installation: Artists are invited to propose installations for the Cathedral’s interior or grounds, creating work that directly engages with this extraordinary space. If selected, artists will install their own work.
ELIGIBILITY
Artists based in the UK or internationally, who are over the age of 18 on 1 January 2025 are invited to apply.
AWARDS
All artists shortlisted for Wells Art Contemporary 2025 will be eligible for a wide range of prizes.Prizes will be awarded to artworks either in the Gallery or Installation sections of the exhibition, based on the selectors’ decision.
- Howden Art Award: £2,000 awarded to one artist
NG Art Creative Residency*: The NG Art Creative Residency Prize aims to discover and celebrate emerging and established creative talents from a variety of disciplines. The Prize Winner will receive a free two-week placement at the NG Art Creative Residency in Provence. This includes board and lodging, studio space, mentorship and residency-related outings. - Jane Bowe Memorial Prize: £500 awarded to a Somerset artist for a selected work, chosen by Martin Bowe.
- The Grace Student Prize: £250 awarded to a current fine art student aged under 26 enrolled on a recognised Bachelor or Master’s Fine Arts course.
- Parker Harris Mentoring Prize*: Parker Harris will give a one-to-one mentoring session covering all aspects of professional development to a selected artist.
- Somerset Art Works Mentoring Prize: one-to-one mentoring session covering all aspects of professional development to a selected artist.
- St Cuthberts Mill Award: 20 sheets of Saunders Waterford 300gsm worth over £120 will be awarded to an artist who works on paper.
- People’s Choice Prize: £500 will be awarded to the artwork which received the most public votes..
ENTRY FEE
The entry fee is £20 per work, or £12 per work for current fine art students aged under 26 who are enrolled on a recognised Bachelor or Masters Fine Arts course.
APPLY ONLINE
Artists may enter up to 4 works. Selected artists will be informed on 7 August 2025
About:
Established in 2012, Wells Art Contemporary (WAC) is a volunteer-led art exhibition that provides artists worldwide with the opportunity to showcase their work in the breathtaking setting of Wells Cathedral.
Known as the first Gothic cathedral in England, and often described as “the most poetic of the English cathedrals”, Wells Cathedral welcomes 18,000 visitors each month, offering an inspiring backdrop of pale stone, ethereal light, and soaring architecture.
Wells Cathedral, formally the Cathedral Church of St Andrew, is a Church of England cathedral in Wells, Somerset, England. It is the seat of the bishop of Bath and Wells and the mother church of the diocese of Bath and Wells.
Cathedral Grn
Wells BA5 2UE
United Kingdom
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