Royal Ulster Academy of Arts

145th RUA Annual Exhibition – Call for Entries 2026

The Royal Ulster Academy of Arts invites submissions for the 145th RUA Annual Exhibition, Northern Ireland’s longest-established open exhibition of contemporary visual art.

Founded in 1879, the RUA Annual presents a rigorously selected survey of current practice and is a major platform for both emerging and established artists. The exhibition is scheduled to take place at the Ulster Museum, Belfast, from October 2026 to January 2027 (subject to confirmation).

Who Can Apply

Submissions are open to artists aged 18 and over.

The Royal Ulster Academy Annual Exhibition primarily presents works in painting, drawing, original print, photography, textiles, ceramics, sculpture, and craft, reflecting the Academy’s longstanding emphasis on materially-based practices.

Artists working with multi-media or digital processes may submit work; however, the exhibition format and available infrastructure are principally designed for physical works. As a result, only a very limited number of digital or screen-based works can typically be accommodated.

All works are considered through a democratic selection process by the Academy’s panel.

Technical requirements and presentation guidelines for digital or multi-media submissions are available here: [Digital & Multi-Media Submission Guidelines].

Additional Conditions

Work must have been created between 2024 and 2026

Work previously exhibited in Northern Ireland is not eligible

Maximum size: 2 metre in any one direction. There is no minimum size
Artists should bear in mind that the exhibition typically includes several hundred works, and larger works may be more difficult to accommodate within the available gallery space

All works must be for sale and suitably prepared for display

Works on canvas may be submitted unframed, provided they are properly stretched and presented in an exhibition-ready condition suitable for display.

Submission fees are non-refundable and apply whether or not a work is selected

How to Apply

Online submissions only

Opens: 10 March 2026

Deadline: 14 July 2026 (midnight)

Maximum of three works per artist

⚠️ Important:
Physical artworks must not be delivered at the submission stage. Delivery is only permitted for artists shortlisted following Stage 1 digital pre-selection.

Selection Process

Stage 1: Digital pre-selection (completed 22nd July 2026)

Stage 2: Physical selection for shortlisted artists only

Delivery date: Sunday, 2 August 2026

Belfast delivery address to be confirmed and issued directly to shortlisted artists

Optional Dublin drop-off  1st August available via an independent third-party service (small handling fee applies)

contact brian@tomcaldwellgallery.com  or phone +44 7711 716 887  for further details

Pricing

1 artwork: £20

Up to 2 artworks: £35

Up to 3 artworks: £50

Selected works are subject to a 30% RUA commission.
Minimum artwork price: £200.

Submission fees are non-refundable and apply whether or not a work is selected

Framed Multiples (Photographs & Prints)

For editioned works, the exhibited piece is the only framed example sold through the RUA.
Any additional editions sold through the RUA will be supplied unframed, with framing arrangements left to be agreed privately between artist and purchaser.

Image Files
Images must be uploaded as JPEG (.jpg) or TIFF (.tif/.tiff) files. Files should be of sufficient quality for the selectors to assess the work clearly. As a guide, image files should be approximately 2–5 MB in size. Excessively large files should be avoided as they may increase upload times without improving the selection process.

Framing
Artwork on wooden board or panel may be submitted unframed, provided the edges are cleanly finished, the work is professionally presented, and it is suitable for exhibition. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artists using AI tools must comply with the RUA’s AI Usage Policy and declare AI use where applicable.
Full policy:
https://www.royalulsteracademy.org/ai-policy

Key Notes

All works are submitted at the artist’s risk; artists are responsible for insurance

Entry fees are non-refundable

Dates, venues, and delivery arrangements are subject to change

Enquiries

📧 info@royalulsteracademy.org
🌐 www.royalulsteracademy.org

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

General Information

The exhibition will be held at:

Town Hall Space, Windmill Lane Quarter, Windmill Lane, Dublin 2. D02 F206.

Plus

Online Exhibition

Eligibility
Submissions of work are invited from visual artists working/resident on the island of Ireland in any of the mediums as previously stated.

Submission Procedure
Submission is by online entry only. Please click on the link to our website and follow the instructions. Submission Fees  are non refundable and apply whether or not a work is selected. 

Restrictions
Please note works which do not conform to the size restrictions, overly heavy pieces or pieces that the Organisers deem unsuitable for exhibition may face possible rejection. 

Work must be professionally presented for exhibition. All artworks must be presented with complete mechanisms for hanging. 

Exposed wet canvases or works that could cause damage to others will not be accepted under any circumstances. Work that arrives damaged or unfit for exhibition due to any material defect will be automatically deemed ineligible for exhibition.

Maximum size 80cm x 80cm. 
 

Image Uploads
Image files should be JPG or PNG and no more than 5MB large. Upload time will depend on your internet connection speed so please be patient. If you are having problems uploading your images please use image editing software to resize your image to approximately 1600 pixels wide and then save as a new file. Image file names should not be too long and should not contain any invalid characters such as ' " & % * ( ) < > / \ ~ # + =

Pricing
Work selected for exhibition will be expected to be for sale at the price stated in the submission and should not be available anywhere else at any other price for the duration of the exhibition. Commission is charged by the gallery at a rate of 30%. It will be assumed that the sale price includes the cost of any frame and our commission. Please allow for these points when pricing your work. The price should include VAT if applicable. If you are VAT registered please provide a VAT number in the box provided.

Communications
All communication will be by email or via the online login process. Applicants will be required to login to see if they have been preselected and will be asked to download and print their application details to be delivered with the artwork. Failure to do so could result in work being withdrawn from the exhibition. 

Selection
The Selection Committee will select the works for the exhibition. The Selectors will consider all correctly completed submissions. The decision of the Selectors on all matters is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Insurance
Artists are responsible for insuring their own work. All works accepted for exhibition will be displayed entirely at the artist's risk and the organisers and the gallery will not accept liability for loss or damage occurring during the exhibition.

Delivery and Collection
Artists are responsible for the delivery and collection of their work to and from the Gallery. All packaging materials must be removed at delivery (no gallery storage is available for this) and brought back at collection.

Agreement

By submitting to the exhibition you are deemed to accept and agree to the following:
The submission fee is non-refundable.
The decision of the Selectors on all matters is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
I understand that The Organisers reserve the right to make such changes to the exhibition arrangements and these Terms & Conditions as may be deemed necessary by circumstances.
I authorise The Organisers to process, store, and utilise the data in my submission and agree that, if selected for exhibition, images of my work can be freely used by The Organisers, The Gallery and associated organisations for promotional and publicity purposes.
All information provided by me is true and accurate and the work submitted is wholly of my own creation.
I have read and understood these terms and conditions and by submitting this application I accept and agree to observe all the Terms And Conditions therein.

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

Entry Fees

Non-members:

Maximum number of submissions permitted = 5

1 Submission: £15

2 Submissions: £30

3 Submissions: £45

4 Submissions: £60

5 Submissions: £75

General & Emerging Members

Maximum number of submissions permitted = 5

1 Submission : FREE

2 Submissions:  FREE

3 Submissions:  FREE

4 Submissions:  £10

5 Submissions: £20

3 FREE – cost of submissions included in membership subscription - Please ensure you are a VAS Member with an up-to-date subscription or sign up for membership prior to applying.

Professional Members :

Maximum number of submissions permitted = 5

1 Submission : FREE

2 Submissions:  FREE

3 Submissions:  FREE

4 Submissions:  £10

5 Submissions: £20

3 FREE – cost of submissions included in Membership subscription - Please ensure you are a VAS Member with an up-to-date subscription or sign up for membership prior to applying.

Terms and Conditions

• All entries must be submitted through OESS by the stated deadlines.
• Only works that have been pre-selected via the online submission process will be accepted on the hand-in day.
• All selected works must be for sale.
• There are no restrictions on size, discipline or media.
• Non-members will be charged £15 per submission and can submit up to five works.
• Unless part of a diptych/triptych etc, each artwork must have its own submission. Multiple works submitted on one submission will not be considered.
• Works that will be exhibited framed, must show the frame or a similar example within the submission images.
• There is no entry charge for any VAS Members for the first 3 works submitted.
• A One-Off £15 Administration and installation fee is charged per artist/maker for both Members and non-members that are exhibited. Payment must be made by 18th October 2026 via bank transfer or Stripe link.
• Please ensure all artwork details are correct – titles, prices etc. submitted at this stage will be used for labels, the exhibition catalogue, and online.
• Image files should be JPG or PNG and no more than 3MB large. If you are having problems uploading your images please use image-editing software to resize your image to approximately 1600 pixels wide and then save as a new file.
• Save your image files with your name and the title of your artwork as the file name, eg example.jpg.  Do not include any extra characters such as ‘ ” & % * ( ) < > / ~ # + =

Restrictions

Work submitted must have been completed within the last three years (2024 onwards).

Work that has been shown in the RSA in the last 5 years previously or shown with VAS in the last 5 years must not be submitted. 

No reproductions or copies of any kind will be accepted.

All pre-selected works need to be delivered to and collected from the gallery by the artist or a nominated representative or courier. VAS is unable to assist with the shipping and collection of your work.

Artists and makers are responsible for their own Public Liability and Artwork Insurance during transit and when onsite throughout the course of the exhibition - VAS does not insure Members or Non Members artwork on your behalf. 

Selection

Pre-selection results will be via log in to your OESS profile on date stated in open call, we do not email results out to you. We will remind you to check in via newsletter and social media. We regret that we cannot offer feedback on the results of the selection.

Pre-Selected Works

Works that pass the online pre-selection process must be delivered to the gallery by the date stated in the open call details on the assumption the piece will be shown in the exhibition.

All works that are pre-selected online are still subject to final selection by the panel on delivery to the gallery. This assessment is to ensure that the work is exhibition ready, and is neither damaged or not reflective of what was submitted. In the unlikely event that the works are not included in the final selection, they should be uplifted from the gallery on the date detailed in your notification email. If you have to come from afar, we can arrange storage for smaller works until the end of the exhibition. 

You may be required to install your own work depending on the scale. You will be contacted in advance if this is the case.

Delivery and Collection of Work

Please attach a stiff label to the back of your work with string. This label must be able to hang freely over the front of the work and should include your name, title of artwork, price and a contact phone number and email address.

Please also attach a permanent label to your work with name, title, price and a contact phone number.

We can recommend couriers if you do not have your own contracts. Please email admin@visualartsscotland.org for advice on this matter. 

Artists sending work from outside the UK are responsible for any customs and duty charges, declarations and other related documentation for the artwork both entering and leaving the UK, and for ensuring that work is received at the gallery by the specified time. VAS is unable to pay import duty or related fees on any submitted work or arrange delivery back to you, this will be entirely the artists’ responsibility. 

Important:

Please download your labels and attach them to your work following the instructions, and bring a copy of your submission form to the gallery.

Please also attach a permanent label to your work with name, title, price and a contact phone number.

Sales and Commission

Artist, Associate Members and non-members will be charged a commission of 40% on the sale price of all work sold in the exhibition.

VAS Professional Members will be charged a reduced commission rate of 35% on the sale price of all work sold in the exhibition.

Insurance

Whilst every possible care will be taken of works submitted, VAS cannot be responsible for any loss or damage incurred during the exhibition or in transit to and from it. The Society does not insure the exhibits; artists are advised to insure their own work.

Framing and Finishing

Please ensure a high standard of presentation of works. Any framing should be professionally finished and contemporary.

Works with wet paint will not be accepted; the artist is liable for the cost of any damage caused to other works by such items.

Mirror plates for hanging are provided by VAS.

Please note that works requiring bull dog clips are not permitted, we welcome the following types of fixings: screws, pins, magnets (if the piece allows magnets to be used effectively). No bulldog clips or similar will be permitted and works delivered with this requirement will be rejected on site.  

Agreement
By submitting to the exhibition you are deemed to accept and agree to the following:

The decision of the Selectors on all matters is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
I understand that the organisers reserve the right to make such changes to the exhibition arrangements and the Terms and Conditions as may be deemed necessary by circumstances.

I authorise the organisers to process, store, and utilise the data in my submission and agree that, if selected for exhibition, images of my work can be freely used by The Organisers, The Gallery and associated organisations for promotional and publicity purposes.

VAS cannot be responsible for any loss or damage incurred during the exhibition or in transit to and from it. The Society does not insure the exhibits; artists are advised to insure their own work.

All information provided by me is true and accurate and that the work submitted is wholly of my own creation.

I have read and understood these terms and conditions and by submitting this application I accept and agree to observe all the Terms and Conditions therein.

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

General Information
The exhibition will be held at BRLSI, 14-16 Queen's Square, Bath BA12HN

Eligibility
Submissions of work are invited from visual artists working in any medium...

Restrictions
All entries must be less than 0.75 meters in any one direction including frame...

Image Uploads
Image files should be JPG or PNG and no more than 5MB large. Upload time will depend on your internet connection speed so please be patient. If you are having problems uploading your images please use image editing software to resize your image to approximately 1600 pixels wide and then save as a new file. Image file names should not be too long and should not contain any invalid characters such as ' " & % * ( ) < > / ~ # + =

Pricing
Work selected for exhibition will be expected to be for sale. 20% commission is charged by the gallery. It will be assumed that the sale price includes the cost of any frame and our commission. Please allow for these points when pricing your work. Prices should include VAT if applicable. If you are VAT registered please provide a VAT number in the box provided. 

Communications
All communication will be by email. Successful applicants will be notified by email and must respond within one week to confirm participation. Failure to do so could result in work being withdrawn from the exhibition. 

Selection
The Selection Committee will select the works for the exhibition. The Selectors will consider all correctly completed submissions. The decision of the Selectors on all matters is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Insurance
Artists are responsible for insuring their own work. All works accepted for exhibition will be displayed entirely at the artists' risk and organisers and the gallery will not accept liability for loss or damage occurring during the exhibition.

Delivery and Collection
Artists are responsible for the delivery and collection of their work at the Gallery. All packaging materials must be removed after delivery (no gallery storage is available for this) and brought back at collection. If you are applying from overseas please consider how you will get your work to and from the exhibition at the required times.
Work not collected at the stated times will be subject to a daily charge of £10 and will be disposed of after one week. 

Sold Artworks
If a buyer makes a purchase but cannot collect at the end of the exhibition, the organisers will contact the artist and the buyer to determine if there are additional postage and handling charges that need to be charged to the buyer.
 

Agreement
By submitting to the exhibition you are deemed to accept and agree to the following:

The submission/ entry fee is non-refundable.

The decision of the Selectors on all matters Is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
I understand that The Organisers reserves the right to make such changes to the exhibition arrangements and these Terms & Conditions as may be deemed necessary by circumstances.

I understand that the organisers may refuse my artwork upon delivery, if there is no hanging system, or other warranted reasons (wet paint etc.)

If artwork is not collected on the agreed date at the end of the exhibition, it will be disposed of.
I authorise The Organisers To process, store, and utilise the data in my submission and agree that, if selected for exhibition, images of my work can be freely used by The Organisers, The Gallery and associated organisations for promotional and publicity purposes.

All information provided by me is true and accurate and that the work submitted is wholly of my own creation.
I have read and understood these terms and conditions and by submitting this application I accept and agree to observe all the Terms And Conditions therein.

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