Alpine Fellowship Visual Art Prize — a British £3000 prize for an artwork on the theme “Joy”

This is an international award in the field of visual arts presented by the Alpine Fellowship—a foundation that has been supporting artists, writers and researchers worldwide since 2013. During this time, the organisation has awarded over £200,000 in grants and built a thriving international community around itself.
In 2026, the theme of the competition is ‘Joy’, and submissions are structured around it: not as an illustration of emotion, but as an artistic exploration — whether personal, critical or conceptual.
This is a strong international open call with credibility and a track record, well beyond an institutional museum prize — it regularly attracts participants from all over the world and provides visibility within the professional community.

What is important to understand about the theme
The theme sets the direction, but does not impose restrictions. ‘Joy’ can be straightforward, ironic, complex or even unsettling — what matters is your own interpretation and the depth of the work, rather than a literal depiction.
What’s being assessed here is how the work functions on a conceptual level — through imagery, materials and context — more than the technique itself.

Prizes
The prize money is awarded to three participants:
— 1st place — £3,000
— 2nd place — £1,000
— 3rd place — £1,000
However, the key value lies in the international exposure, the selection process and the opportunity to become part of Alpine Fellowship, including its symposium and future initiatives — above and beyond the monetary prize.

Who is eligible
The competition is open to artists of all nationalities aged 18 and over.
Virtually any medium is eligible: painting, sculpture, photography, video (up to 8 minutes), and installation.
This is a good option for both beginners and established artists — provided you have a strong, finished piece of work, rather than just an idea.

Important restrictions
— only one entry per application
— entry fee: £10
— multiple applications may be submitted (one entry per application)
— the work must be created entirely without the use of AI
— any use of artificial intelligence will result in disqualification
This is a crucial point: the competition seeks original artistic expression created without the use of generative tools.

How to apply
Applications are submitted online via the Submitable platform and require a basic but clear set of materials.
You will need to: upload your work (an image, video or file), provide the title of the work, describe the medium and format, and briefly outline your previous experience.
The focus here is on the work itself, ahead of lengthy texts — it should be clear and compelling without the need for further explanation.
If it is a video, it is important to keep it under 8 minutes.
If it is a visual work, it must be properly documented.

Context and the value of participation
Alpine Fellowship is part of a broader cultural programme, beyond just being a competition. The Foundation brings together artists, writers and researchers and organises an annual symposium where different disciplines intersect.
Participation is therefore a gateway to an international intellectual and artistic community, as well as a chance to win a prize.
It is important to understand the scale of this: it is a high-quality and fair mid-level open call that works well for building a portfolio and establishing an international track record, even if it isn’t the largest institutional award.

The deadline for applications is 1 May 2026.