Terms & Conditions

By entering the VAA Artist of the Year Award, you are deemed to have read and accepted all aspects of the rules described on this page.

​

1. The VAA Artist of the Year Award is open to individuals aged 18 and over.
    

2. All work submitted must be solely produced by the artist registered for this award.
    

3. Acceptable media: drawing, printing, painting, photography, digital art, sculpture, and video.
    

4. Mature Content – Artwork containing artistic nudity, large amounts of simulated blood and gore, or generally violent themes may be classed as inappropriate content on our social media platforms. In such cases, they may be blurred out or labelled as "sensitive".
    

5. Entry Fees – Entry is free for VAA Premium Members. The pricing structure for VAA Standard Members and Non-Members is as follows:
    

   • 1 Artwork = £20 / £8*
      

   • 2 Artworks = £30 / £14*
      

   • 3 Artworks = £40 / £20*
      

   • 4 Artworks = £50 / £25*
      

   • 5 Artworks = £60 / £30*
     *Price for Student Artists

6. Work must have been completed within the last three years.
    

7. Works should not exceed 2.4m along the longest dimension.
    

8. Paintings must be completely dry at the time of delivery.
    

9. Artists who are not residents of the UK but reside abroad are welcome to submit work.
    

10. International Shipping – Artists sending work from abroad should use a picture carrier. Many artists use Picture Post, which offers a packing and delivery service for our exhibitions (please note, we do not accept any liability for their services).
    
    Picture Post Contact Details:
     

    • Tel: 0044 (0)1302 711011

    • Email: info@picturepostcompany.co.uk
       

11. Applicants are responsible for providing accurate personal information for organisers to contact them.
     

12. The VAA only accepts artwork that has not been sold previously at the time of entry.
     

13. Entrants must ensure they have the commercial rights to their artwork if currently represented by a publisher, to avoid any conflict of interest.
     

14. Copyright – VAA respects your rights and does not claim copyright for works submitted to the contest. You will retain full copyright in each entry.
     

15. VAA will not be held responsible for any breach of a commercial contract between the artist, the gallery, or the publisher. Our role is solely to provide a commercial platform and introduction.
     

16. VAA will not be responsible for any travel or personal expenses to attend the VAA exhibition final or any visa requirements.
     

17. Publicity – The winners agree to permit external communication of their artwork, including but not limited to publicity, press, website, social media, and any printed or digital materials.
     

18. Finalists & Winners – The jury’s decision is final. If VAA is unable to contact any shortlisted artist or winner via the email address supplied, the shortlist position or prize will lapse, and VAA reserves the right to select alternative winners.
     

19. Shortlisted artists will be contacted directly. The names of the winner and finalists will be published on our website, social media, and in competition publicity materials.
     

20. The artist is responsible for the delivery and collection of artworks for any finalist exhibition, as well as for insurance while in transit and for the duration that the artwork is with the VAA for exhibitions.
     

21. Although strict handling measures are followed when receiving and hanging finalists’ work, the VAA accepts no liability for any damage to artwork in transit or during the finalists’ exhibitions. Artists should ensure their artwork is adequately insured during this period.
     

22. Finalists are welcome to personally deliver and hang their artwork. To arrange this, please contact the organisers at hello@visual-artists.org.
     

23. In all matters relating to the competition, the VAA’s decision is final. No cash alternative is available.
     

24. If the event is partially or wholly cancelled due to circumstances beyond the organisers' control, VAA will offer an online exhibition or alternative.
     

25. All entry submissions are final, and entry fees are non-refundable. No compensation can be requested in any of the above cases.
     

26. Entry fees contribute towards organisational and administrative costs of the award.
     

27. A 30% commission will be charged on any artworks sold for finalists at the exhibitions.
     

28. VAA reserves the right to cancel this competition or alter these rules if deemed necessary.
     

29. These rules are governed by English law, and any disputes will be settled by the courts of the United Kingdom.
     

30. Full details of each submitted piece must be provided upon application, including the title, dimensions, and a description (for installations or non-self-explanatory pieces).
     

31. More than two images should be supplied for any 3D artwork where necessary to show the piece properly.
     

32. Applicants are responsible for correctly pricing, sizing, and describing their artwork.
     

33. Any changes to the original details provided in the application must be communicated in writing to the organisers.
     

34. The VAA reserves the right to merge award categories if the minimum number of entries required for any individual category is not met.

 

1. AI-Generated Work: Submissions that are wholly or partially generated using artificial intelligence (AI) tools or software are not eligible. All entries must be original works created solely by the submitting artist without the involvement of AI in the creative process.