The National Portrait Gallery in London holds a portrait painting competition every year. As it's currently sponsored by BP (British Petroleum), the award is known as the BP Portrait Award.
What Prizes are Awarded in the BP Portrait Award?
There is a substantial cash prize for first prize (£25,000 in 2009), plus smaller awards for second, third, and fourth prizes. A new Young Artist's Award was introduced in 2007, for artists aged 18 to 30. The first prize-winner may also be given a commission by the National Portrait Gallery. A travel award is given to one artist to provide an opportunity to work on portraiture in a new environment. Paintings done as a result of the travel award are exhibited at the following year's BP Portrait Award.
Who Can Enter the BP Portrait Award?
In 2007 the rules were changed to remove the age restriction of 40, opening the competition to any artist anywhere in the world who is aged at least 18. Employees of the National Portrait Gallery, BP, "their agents", and previous first prize-winners of the BP Portrait Award may not enter.
How Do I Enter the BP Portrait Award?
Entries can be done online, using a credit or debit card to pay the entry fee (£27 in 2009). The competition is judged from original works only, not slides. The artist will be sent information on which collection point to submit their painting to (Belfast, Bristol, Glasgow, or London). Artists outside the UK must deliver their painting to the collection point in London. Getting a painting to a collection point (and back again) is at the artist's own expense.
How Many Paintings May Be Submitted?
Only one, which must be "based on a sitting or study from life and the human figure must predominate".
What Mediums are Acceptable?
The painting must be "predominantly" in oil, tempera, or acrylic, on a stretcher or board. It must "preferably" be framed and unglazed. Watercolors, works on paper, and pastel paintings may not be entered.
Are There Any Size Restrictions?
Paintings must be no smaller than 25 x 20 cm (10 x 8 inches) unframed. Works larger than 244 x 244 cm (8 x 8 feet) must be delivered to the collection point in London.
Who Judges the BP Portrait Award?
A judging panel chaired by the director of London's National Portrait Gallery.
Where are the Winning Paintings in the BP Portrait Award Exhibited?
Initially at the National Portrait Gallery in London, and then possibly another galleries in the UK. A catalog of the exhibition is also produced.
What Rights Will the National Portrait Gallery Have to My Painting if It's Exhibited?
Copyright of the painting remains the artist's, but it is a condition of entry that you give the the National the "right of free reproduction of all exhibited paintings for postcards, prints, posters and other products, publicity, educational, reference and all broadcast and digital purposes in connection with the Award and tour."
To find out more and to see winners from previous years, go to the National Portrait Gallery's website.
