ACS Studio Prize 2026 Announces Five Finalists for Tenth Edition
The Artists' Collecting Society (ACS) has revealed the five contenders for the 2026 ACS Studio Prize: Benjamin Blanc, Rachel Coyne, Bunny Hennessey, Alexander Koch, and Samah Rafiq. Chosen for their contemporary painting techniques in the UK, these artists will vie for a £6,000 bursary to cover studio expenses. The judging panel features David Dawson, Sir Gabriele Finaldi, Philip Mould OBE, and Viscountess Bridgeman CBE. Their artistic expressions span from figurative to abstract forms. An exhibition will take place at Gurr Johns in London from 22 to 25 September 2026, with the winner being announced on 22 September. Since 2012, ACS has invested almost £250,000 into educational bursaries and awards.
Key facts
- The Artists' Collecting Society (ACS) announced five finalists for the 2026 ACS Studio Prize, its tenth edition.
- Finalists: Benjamin Blanc, Rachel Coyne, Bunny Hennessey, Alexander Koch, and Samah Rafiq.
- The winner receives a £6,000 bursary for studio costs in a UK city.
- Jury: David Dawson, Sir Gabriele Finaldi, Philip Mould OBE, and Viscountess Bridgeman CBE.
- Group exhibition at Gurr Johns, London, from 22 to 25 September 2026.
- Winner announced on 22 September at the ACS Studio Prize x Gurr Johns Exhibition Private View.
- Blanc and Koch are Royal College of Art graduates; Hennessey is from Slade School of Fine Art; Coyne and Rafiq also graduated from RCA.
- ACS has reinvested close to £250,000 in educational bursaries and prizes since 2012.
Entities
Artists
- Benjamin Blanc
- Rachel Coyne
- Bunny Hennessey
- Alexander Koch
- Samah Rafiq
- David Dawson
- Sir Gabriele Finaldi
- Philip Mould
- Viscountess Bridgeman
- Maria Lassnig
- Roland Barthes
- Guy Debord
Institutions
- Artists' Collecting Society
- Lucian Freud Archive
- National Gallery
- Gurr Johns
- Royal College of Art
- Slade School of Fine Art
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- Paris
- St James's