Find Art Competitions

All competitions · Open call / exhibition

ClosedClosed 11 Feb 2026

Royal Academy Summer Exhibition (open submission)

Royal Academy of Arts · London, United Kingdom

The world's longest-running open-submission exhibition, held annually at the Royal Academy, London. Any artist may submit up to two works online for a fee; selected works are exhibited and offered for sale alongside Academicians' work.

Your eligibility

Tell us about yourself and we will check these rules against your details. Nothing leaves your device until you sign in.

Who can enter

Location
Open worldwide
Age
No age limit
Career stage
Any
Mediums
Any medium
Entries
Up to 2 works per artist
Size limits
Maximum 244 x 350cm (2026)
Submission
Online submission
Also
Maximum two works per artist; only the artist or an authorised representative may submit; international artists welcome but must register for UK VAT if shortlisted (2026 terms).

About

The Summer Exhibition has been staged every year since 1769 and mixes work by Royal Academicians and invited artists with works selected from an open submission. Entry is made online in January-February; the entry window closes early once a cap on submissions is reached.

Any artist may enter up to two works in any medium (fees are non-refundable). International entrants may be asked to register for UK VAT if selected. Works must fit within the stated maximum dimensions.

Selected works hang in the galleries at Burlington House over the summer and are available for sale. A number of prizes and awards are presented to exhibiting artists each year.

Noticed something missing or wrong?

Dates wrong, call opened, rules changed? Tell us and we will fix it.