9th John Ruskin Prize: Not for Present Delight

The 9th John Ruskin Prize is an open competition for artists, designers and makers from anywhere in the world, named after the Victorian critic and thinker John Ruskin. Each edition has a theme drawn from his writing. For 2027 it is "Not for Present Delight", and the prize fund totals £9,500, shared between four winners. Up to 80 shortlisted artists are shown in an exhibition at Trinity Buoy Wharf in London.

The theme comes from Ruskin's book The Seven Lamps of Architecture (1848): "Let it not be for present delight, nor for present use alone; let it be such work as our descendants will thank us for." The organisers ask entrants to think about the world as something they can actively shape, and to consider whether art must serve a purpose beyond itself or can exist simply for pleasure.

The prize was founded by the Guild of St George, the charity Ruskin established, and is organised by Parker Harris under The Big Draw, with support from the Trinity Buoy Wharf Trust. Any 2D or 3D medium is accepted, which makes it one of the few prizes where a painter, a ceramicist and a typographer compete side by side.

Who Can Enter the John Ruskin Prize?

The prize is open to artists, designers and makers, amateur or professional, of any nationality and living anywhere, aged 18 or over. Individuals and collectives can apply.

It is particularly relevant to:

• Painters, draughtspeople and printmakers
• Ceramicists, glassmakers, textile artists and metalworkers
• Designers of functional objects
• Typographers and calligraphers
• Film, animation, digital and performance artists

What Can You Enter?

You can enter one, two or three artworks. Each must be original, made within the past four years and respond to the theme. Any 2D or 3D medium is accepted, including animation, ceramics, collage, digital work, drawing, film and video, glass, installation, painting, photography, print, sculpture, textiles, typography, calligraphy and metalwork.

Installations, diptychs and triptychs count as a single artwork. Work is viewed and judged digitally, so every entry must be submitted as images or digital files.

Entry Fees

• Standard: £25 for 1 artwork, £40 for 2, £50 for 3
• Under 26: £20 for 1 artwork, £25 for 2, £38 for 3
• International digital entry: £15 for 1 artwork, £20 for 2, £30 for 3

What Do Selected Entrants Receive?

• 1st Prize: £3,000, supported by the Guild of St George
• Ruskin Mill Trust Prize: £3,000 for a beautifully crafted functional object
• Chelsea Arts Club Trust Prize: £2,500 for a mid-career artist not currently represented by a gallery
• The Alan Davidson Under 26 Prize: £1,000
• GreatArt People's Choice Award: £500 in art materials, plus £100 in materials for one voter
• Exhibition: up to 80 shortlisted artists shown at Trinity Buoy Wharf, London

Submission Requirements

Entries are made online through the prize's entry platform, linked from the official website. It helps to have these ready:

• Good images or files of each work, showing it clearly
• Title, medium, size and year for every piece
• A short statement explaining how the work responds to "Not for Present Delight"

Important Rules

• Entrants must be 18 or over.
• Work must have been made in the past four years.
• Entries must respond to the theme.
• Work is viewed and judged digitally.
• Full terms are on the official John Ruskin Prize website.

When Will Entrants Be Notified?

The 2027 judges are Miranda Forrester, figurative painter; Adam Nathaniel Furman, artist and designer; Ishbel Myerscough RA, artist and Artistic Director of the Royal Drawing School; and Clare Twomey, clay artist and curator. Results are sent to entrants by 11 December 2026, and the winners are announced at the private view on 27 January 2027.

Things to Consider

• Read the quotation carefully. The jury will look for a thoughtful response to Ruskin's idea of work made for the future, not only for today.
• Makers of useful objects have a dedicated prize. The Ruskin Mill Trust Prize rewards crafted functional work.
• Use the under-26 rate if you qualify; it also makes you eligible for the Alan Davidson Prize.
• Photograph well. Judging is digital, so clear images matter as much as the work.
• Plan for London. If shortlisted, you will need to deliver work to Trinity Buoy Wharf before the January exhibition.

Enter the Competition

Interested in submitting your work?

Enter the John Ruskin Prize

For the full theme text, terms and entry link, visit the official John Ruskin Prize website.

Looking for more open calls? Browse all competitions and opportunities on Good Stuff Weekly.

Last verified: October 12, 2026