Criteria for Entry

Applications for The Dover Prize are now closed, sign up to our mailing list to be notified when they reopen.

The Dover Prize is a biennial award that supports opportunity and experimentation in the visual arts.

Open to UK-based visual artists, partnerships and small collectives, the Prize offers a £10,000 bursary paid across two years to provide space and time to think, research, reflect and/or experiment with new ideas.

A final work must premiere in Darlington, with support available to help the successful applicant identify a suitable location or venue.

Who can apply?

The Dover Prize is open to individual artists and collectives working in visual arts disciplines, including but not limited to:

• Painting
• Sculpture
• Ceramics
• Printmaking
• Photography
• Digital art
• Filmmaking
• Performance
• Installation

Applicants must be based in the UK. Previous applicants are welcome to apply again.

Essential criteria

To be eligible, you must meet at least three of the following criteria:

1. You are regularly making and exhibiting artwork
2. You have received professional grants or awards
3. You are involved in organising self-created professional opportunities (e.g. artist-led studios or projects)
4. You hold a degree in visual or applied arts (undergraduate and/or postgraduate)
5. You have been commissioned by a public institution
6. Your work has been purchased by a public collection
7. Your work has been reviewed or featured in an art journal, magazine, newspaper, or online curated platform
8. You are represented by a gallery
9. You have taken part in a recognised residency or artist placement scheme

You do not need to meet all the criteria, but you must meet three and be able to evidence this if requested. 

Applications that do not meet the minimum criteria will not be considered, and exceptions cannot be made.

What are we looking for?

The Dover Prize supports artists who want to:

• Consolidate current ideas or build on existing work
• Make a step-change in their practice
• Explore new collaborations and creative contexts
• Test out new approaches and fresh perspectives 
• Generate and develop bold new ideas
• Deepen research or experiment with new methods
• Seek inspiration through travel, training, or collaboration.

The funding can be used for costs directly related to your development, including:

• Travel (including international, if there’s a clear benefit)
• Training or workshops
• Materials or equipment
• Research trips
• Development or production costs for final presentation.

Expectations

The successful applicant will be expected to premiere a final exhibition, performance, or installation in Darlington at the end of the two-year award period.

While you don’t need to confirm the venue at the application stage, you will be supported in identifying a suitable space.

How to apply

You can apply for The Dover Prize when we are accepting applications in late 2026. Join our mailing list to be notified when applications open.

As part of your application, you will be asked to submit:

• A completed online application form
• Up to 3 JPEGs of recent work
• Up to 2 links to film, video, or music (via YouTube, Vimeo, or your website)

Please note: PDFs, printed brochures, or Word documents will not be accepted.