Bow Arts Opens Call for 2027 East London Art Prize
Bow Arts has announced the open call for the East London Art Prize's third edition, scheduled for 2027. This initiative will provide support to 12 selected artists through exhibitions, mentorship, and professional growth opportunities. Among the rewards, one artist will be awarded £15,000 and a solo exhibition at Nunnery Gallery, while another will receive a year-long residency at Bow Arts. The jury comprises Brendan Cormier (V&A East), Alex Needham (The Guardian), Marine Tanguy (MTArt Agency), and artist Michelle Williams Gamaker. Submissions will be evaluated during summer 2026, with the finalists revealed in September 2026 and the exhibition taking place in early 2027. Previous recipients include Kat Anderson and Laisul Hoque, who will also showcase at Whitechapel Gallery's Backyard Biennial. The prize is backed by Minerva and Prue MacLeod, alongside partners like the British Council and London College of Fashion UAL. The open call is available from 14 May to 16 August 2026, and applicants must reside or work in an east London borough and possess an arts degree or its equivalent.
Key facts
- Bow Arts announced open call for 2027 East London Art Prize
- Third cycle of the prize, supporting 12 shortlisted artists
- Exhibition prize: £15,000 and solo show at Nunnery Gallery
- Residency award: year-long Bow Arts studio residency
- Judging panel: Brendan Cormier, Alex Needham, Marine Tanguy, Michelle Williams Gamaker
- Open call period: 14 May – 16 August 2026
- Cohort announced September 2026; final exhibition early 2027
- Previous winner Kat Anderson selected for New Contemporaries 2025/26 and Stanley Picker Fellow
- 2025 winner Laisul Hoque received Film London FLAMIN Fellowship and will exhibit at Whitechapel Gallery
- Sponsored by Minerva and Prue MacLeod; partners include British Council, Dulux, East Bank, The Line, London College of Fashion UAL, London Legacy Development Corporation, Own Art, UCL East, V&A East, Whitechapel Gallery
Entities
Artists
- Kat Anderson
- Laisul Hoque
- Joseph Ijoyemi
- Kuda Mushangi
- Lydia Newman
- Michelle Williams Gamaker
Institutions
- Bow Arts
- Nunnery Gallery
- V&A East
- The Guardian
- MTArt Agency
- New Contemporaries
- Stanley Picker Fellowship
- Film London
- Whitechapel Gallery
- New Art Exchange
- British Council
- Dulux
- East Bank
- The Line
- London College of Fashion UAL
- London Legacy Development Corporation
- Own Art
- UCL East
- Minerva
- Prue MacLeod
Locations
- London
- East London
- Nottingham
- United Kingdom