Eligibility

Any artist aged 18 or over may enter, from anywhere in the world.

Artists may enter a maximum of six works each, from which up to three works per artist may be selected.

The combined total of the longest dimension of each painting accepted will not exceed 244 cm (8 feet) maximum per artist.

Artists must submit work that has been completed within the last three years and must not have been previously exhibited at Mall Galleries.

Submitted artworks must not be submitted to other competitions or exhibitions taking place between 8 June and 15 December 2026.

Works should be no larger than 240 cm along the longest dimension.

All works must be an original creation by the artist.

Subject matter:

Artists may submit work on any subject matter.

There is a special theme each year, which can be interpreted widely. For 2026, artists are encouraged to contribute a work on the theme 'Winter Rituals' - however it is not compulsory. If a work is on the theme, please say so in the artwork description box when applying.

Acceptable media:

Oils. The ROI promotes and exhibits work of the highest standard in oil paint.

Water-mixable oil paint is acceptable if framed as an oil, so as not to spoil the general appearance of the exhibition.

Acrylic is not accepted.

Submission Fee

There is a non-refundable submission fee of £22 per work, or £14.50 per work for artists aged 35 or under.

The submission fee includes free admission to the exhibition (normally £7).

Submission fees support the not-for-profit programme at Mall Galleries. The gallery is home to visual arts charity, the Federation of British Artists (Registered Charity Number 200048).

We have partnered with the Visual Artists Association to offer a Free Artist Resource Pack to all entrants. This includes 'The Artist's Guide to Selling Art on Instagram’ (PDF) and 'Instagram for Art Careers’ (Video Masterclass). Entrants will receive instructions to download the Artist Resource Pack upon notification of selection.

Presentation

Artists are encouraged to frame their work. Unframed work may be accepted if on a well-presented box canvas. 

Wide mounts between the painting and frame, as in watercolours, are not acceptable. 

Picture glass is not encouraged.

Frames or stretchers should be sufficiently substantial to withstand mirror plating with 12mm (size 6) screws.

Artists are advised to use plain, simple framing in a light or medium colour. 

Metal frames, unprotected glass edges and clip frames are inadmissible. 

Please remove all fittings and fixings from the back of frames, for example D-rings and picture wire. This is to prevent damage to other works, and because we will mirror-plate works for hanging. 

Delivery & Collection

Works should be delivered and collected on the specified receiving and collection days via the gallery's rear entrance at Mall Galleries, 17 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5BD. 

If you are unable to deliver or collect your work, you may send another person on your behalf – this may include an art courier (see below).

Artists are responsible for the costs of delivery and collection.

Delivery:

Paintings should be completely dry at the time of delivery. 

Works should be delivered unwrapped with the relevant form and labels, which are downloadable upon notification of selection.

All packaging must be taken away at the point of delivery. 

Collection:

We are unable to wrap works or provide wrapping for works being returned. 

Any uncollected works will be removed from the gallery after the collection day and stored by an independent courier company at the artist's expense. 

If works are not collected within 12 months of the collection day, the gallery will be entitled to destroy, sell, or otherwise dispose of the works without consent, prior notification, or compensation to the artist. 

Art Couriers:

Below is a list of art couriers by region: 

• London, Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Bristol

Art Moves of Chelsea
artmoveschelsea@aol.com
020 7352 7492

• Scotland, the North of England and Birmingham 

Picture Post Art
info@picturepostcompany.co.uk
07833 450788

Picture Post Art receive artwork for delivery to UK galleries: “handing in” unwrapped and storing packaging free of charge for reuse if required.

• Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset

3 Lanes Transport
info@3lanes.com
01736 799298 / 07970 948324

• Leicester, Loughborough, Coventry, Birmingham and Nottingham

JD Art Transport
jdarttransport@gmail.com
07825 339787

• Norfolk and Suffolk 

A S Elvin Transport Ltd
bernadette@elvingroup.co.uk
01502 677025

• Nationwide

Aardvark Art Services
01253 794673

• Wales

Mid Wales Freight
enquiries@midwalesfreight.co.uk
07866 731400 / 01974 282500

International Artists:

Many international artists use Picture Post Art to transport their work to and from Mall Galleries.

Picture Post Art arrange for the shipping of work from the artist's country to the UK, help artists to correctly fill out paperwork from customs, and store packaging for reuse if required. 

Picture Post Art
info@picturepostcompany.co.uk
+ 44 7833 450788

Please note that we do not accept liability for the services of any art courier.

Selection

The works for exhibition are selected by a committee formed of members of the Institute. 

If selected works arrive damaged, with unacceptable framing, size discrepancies from the original submission, or not as shown online, these will be withdrawn and work will need to be collected from Mall Galleries by the artist at their expense.

The decision of the Selection Committee is final and we are unable to offer feedback.

Prize winning works are selected in time for the awards ceremony during the Private View, prior to the exhibition opening to the public.

Sales

All work must be for sale.

Once work has been submitted, any sale made by the gallery before or during the course of the exhibition up to and including the collection day shall take precedence and supersede one made privately. Any private sale made in this period will incur the normal commission. 

There is a minimum price per work of £500.

Unless otherwise advised, the gallery will charge a commission on the total price paid for works, including commissioned works, before, during, or as a result of the exhibition. 

The price submitted should be the selling price, which should include commission, and is the price at which the work will be sold.

The price of works must include commission of 45% +VAT. If an artist is registered for VAT, then the VAT due on the selling price of works should be included in the price submitted. 

Mall Galleries reserves the right to query the price of works. 

The price of works may only be changed by written agreement between the artist and Mall Galleries. 

You will be notified by Mall Galleries if your work sells. 

International Artists:

Artists who are not resident in the UK but are resident in the EU or elsewhere are welcome to submit work.

Artists without a UK residence are classified as NETPs (Non-Established Taxable Persons) and must register with HMRC (HM Revenue & Customs) for a UK VAT number in order for their work to be included in the exhibition. If selected for the exhibition, you must supply us with your UK VAT number (or proof of application) before the Receiving Day, otherwise your work may be withdrawn. We will be unable to issue payment for any sales of work by artists classified as NETPs until a UK VAT number is supplied.

More information about UK VAT registration can be found under Section 9 at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vat-notice-7001-should-i-be-registered-for-vat/vat-notice-7001-should-i-be-registered-for-vat

If you have any questions, please contact HMRC directly on their VAT Helpline on Telephone 0300 200 3701, or, if calling from abroad, +44 2920 501 261.

Please note: the registration process can take up to 4 weeks so please allow enough time to register.

Personal Data

The gallery will hold personal data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). However, the gallery may provide third parties with an artist's contact details in the course of administering exhibitions, commissions and prizes.

The gallery has the right to reproduce works in connection with the exhibition. 

The copyright and all other intellectual property rights will remain with the artist. If any rights are owned by a third party, that third party will remain the owner. 

Liability

The gallery is not responsible for any loss of, or any damage to, works entrusted to them. All goods are at the artist owner's risk absolutely and the gallery and/or their agents exclude all liability to the maximum extent permitted by law. The galleries are used for various purposes and so artists are advised to insure their works against all risks. 

The gallery endeavours to take good care of works sent for exhibition, but in the event of a work sent being lost, destroyed or damaged, the gallery's liability (if any) shall not exceed the value of the work as stated at the time of submission (less 45% plus VAT) or any altered price subsequently. 

In the event of any dispute regarding loss or damage, the dispute shall be referred for final arbitration to an independent expert valuer to be chosen by agreement between the parties, provided that the arbitrator's award shall not exceed the gallery's maximum liability as above. 

Artists shall indemnify and keep indemnified the gallery against any actions between the artist and any third party. 

Help

If you require support with your application, please contact:

exhibitions@mallgalleries.com

Please Note: The above terms and conditions are provided by the exhibition organisers.

For terms and conditions which apply to the use of the OESS entry system please view below:
OESS Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy