The RI Announces New Awards for 2026
/ Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours
The Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours 214th Exhibition takes place at Mall Galleries from 25 March to 11 April (closed for Easter on 5 and 6 April).
This year the prize fund for the exhibition reaches over £10,000 thanks to several new prizes, all awarded to support and champion exhibiting artists.
Many of these awards are open to all artists exhibiting in the 2026 exhibition, whether a member or an artist selected from the current open call.
The David Barker Award
Two prizes of £1,000 each - one for an RI member and one for a non-member.
The prizes will be awarded to works created from observed experience, with the condition that recipients commit to using the award to further their artistic development and education by undertaking residencies and awards of their choice.
'Having been a professional artist working in watercolour all my life, I am honoured to be associated with this RI Award for furthering artistic development. Since the principles of painting can be taught, I believe they can be learned and are seen to be so. I call it the ‘language of vision’. Images based on visual observation have been an important part of my works, be they based on land or seascapes, architectural or life studies. With practice, many various methods in watercolour medium may be realised. I wish the recipients of the Award every success with their own artistic development and endeavours.' - David Barker
Artists will be asked whether they want to be considered for this award upon submitting their work.
The Caran d'Ache Museum Aquarelle Prize
Two financial prizes of £250 each - one for an RI member and one for a non-member.
This award is for works created wholly or partially using watercolour pencil. Each winner will also receive a set of Caran d’Ache watercolour pencils. With many thanks to the sponsors, Caran d'Ache, for supporting this new initiative, which the RI hopes will encourage more artists to enter using this dynamic and versatile medium.
Artists should specify the medium of their work in the submission process to be eligible.
New Sponsors - The RI Young Artist Award
Daler-Rowney has been announced as the new sponsor of The RI Young Artist Award.
This awards £1,000 plus an additional £1,000 of art materials to an exhibiting artist aged between 18 and 25.
This generous sponsorship strengthens the RI's commitment to supporting emerging talent, offering young artists invaluable resources to develop their practice at a pivotal stage in their career.
The West Dean Prizes
There are two prizes available in connection with West Dean.
The first, The West Dean Prize, is a residential course delivered by an RI member at West Dean College, West Sussex, including food and accommodation.
The second, The West Dean Bloomsbury Prize, offers a two day course delivered by an RI member at West Dean Bloomsbury, London.
The Trevor C Hart Memorial Award
The RI has also announced a new opportunity exclusively for RI members, The Trevor C Hart Memorial Award, kindly donated by Kate Bentley RI.
This special award offers a 3 to 5 night artist retreat near Sandyhills Bay on the beautiful South West Coast of Scotland. The retreat provides an opportunity for quiet reflection, creativity and restoration in a peaceful coastal setting surrounded by gardens, woodlands and wildlife.
'Trevor Hart was a collector and someone, together with his wife, for whom I shall ever be indebted to. Their patronage gave me confidence in my craft and enabled me to pursue my dreams and goals, one of which was becoming a member of the RI' - Kate Bentley RI.
RI Call for Entries 2026
These new prizes are only a few of the many opportunities available for exhibiting artists at the 2026 exhibition.
