RBSA Candidates Exhibition 2027
Application deadline: Tuesday 9 February 2027 4.00pm
Exhibition runs: Thursday 8 – Saturday 24 April 2027
About This Exhibition
The RBSA Candidates Exhibition features the work of artists wishing to be elected to the Society, either as Associates or, for existing Associates, full Members. The current Membership is able to view the exhibition and vote for the artists they would like to see successfully elected. The exhibition is also open to the public which provides an exciting opportunity for visitors to see the high standard of work by prospective RBSA Members and Associates.
All candidates for Associateship and Membership are asked to submit six works as part of their application. Those existing Members and Associates who visit the exhibition are able to vote for their choices in a secret ballot (only full Members are able to vote for candidates applying for full membership). To be successfully elected, each candidates must receive 50% +1 of the total votes cast in favour of their candidature.
A digital catalogue featuring all the artworks in the exhibition will accompany the show. This allows the Membership to view the submissions at their leisure prior to visiting the Gallery to vote. The digital catalogue is emailed to the Membership once the exhibition opens.
Artists wishing to be elected as Associate or Member have two application options: Self-nomination and Nomination. Self-nomination is for artists who have a strong record of participation in RBSA Open/Prize Exhibitions (Candidates for Associateship please note that the RBSA Friends Exhibition does not count towards this). Nomination is for artists who have the support of at least two RBSA Members, as well as a strong record of participation in RBSA Open/Prize Exhibitions. There are separate entry forms for each application option so candidates must ensure they complete the correct form.
Self-nominated candidates must submit six artworks with their entry information by 4.00pm on Tuesday 9 February.
Nominated candidates must submit their entry information by 4.00pm on Tuesday 9 February. Following discussions with their proposer and seconder, they must submit six artworks by 4.00pm on Tuesday 16 March. A reminder email will be sent with the link to the artwork submission form before this date.
Self-nominated candidates must return the appropriate SIGNED Consent Form to the Gallery by 5.00pm on Thursday 18 March. This must be the original hard copy and not a scanned or photographed copy sent via email.
Nominated candidates must return the SIGNED Nomination Form to the Gallery by 5.00pm on Thursday 18 March. This must be the original hard copy and not a scanned or photographed copy sent via email.
A briefing for all artists interested in applying for Associateship will be held on Sunday 29 November from 2.00pm – 4.00pm. Artists are welcome to attend to learn more about the Society and what becoming an Associate involves. We ask that you contact the Gallery to inform us that you will attending.
Key Dates – RBSA Candidates Exhibition 2027
- Briefing for all artists interested in applying for Associateship: Sunday 29 November 2.00pm – 4.00pm
- Application deadline: Tuesday 9 February 4.00pm
- Application fee payment deadline: Tuesday 9 February 4.00pm
- Artists selected to exhibit announced: End February
- Image submission deadline (nominated candidates only): Tuesday 16 March 4.00pm
- Deadline for return of signed consent/nomination form: Tuesday 16 March 5.00pm
- Delivery of work to RBSA Gallery:
- Wednesday 31 March 11.00am – 4.00pm
- Thursday 1 April 11.00am – 4.00pm
- Friday 2 April 11.00am – 4.00pm
- Saturday 3 April 11.00am – 4.00pm
- Exhibition on display: Thursday 8 – Saturday 24 April 2027
- Collection of work: Sunday 25 April from 4.00pm
Image: Ronnie Ackling ARBSA, Hope Street
Application Packs
Application Forms
Consent and Nomination Forms
How to Enter
Entry to the exhibition is via the online forms listed above.
Artists must enter a body of work comprising six pieces of work in total.
Before entering, please ensure that you have read and understood everything outlined in the application pack, and that your work adheres to our terms and conditions.
Application Fee
- A one-off application fee of £60 must be paid by all candidates
Payments
- Payments can be made on this page using the link below
- Card payments can be taken at the Gallery or over the phone, the Gallery is open Tuesday – Saturday 10.30am – 5.00pm
- All application fees must be paid by Tuesday 9 February 4.00pm otherwise work will not be considered for selection
- Please note that all application fees are non-refundable.
Images of artwork
When submitting artwork, please ensure that photographs of the work are at least 2000 pixels across the smallest dimension and 300dpi in resolution. Image files must be JPG.
