Organizer: David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (UK-based conservation charity)

Location: Global online competition, winning works will be exhibited in London

Deadline: 24 March 2026

Competition Category:
- Painting
- Drawing
- Sculpture
- Printmaking
- Mixed media

Eligibility:
- Open internationally to all artists, amateur and professional, aged 15 years and over at the closing date
- Artists aged 15–19 will be automatically entered into the Youth Exclusive category

Entry Fee: Paid (specific fee not mentioned)

Prizes/Awards:
- Overall Winner: £5,000 cash prize, the title Wildlife Artist of the Year 2026, and a £5,000 conservation donation made in their name
- Overall Runner-up: £1,000 cash prize and a £1,000 conservation donation made in their name
- Category Winners: £500 cash prize awarded for each category
- Youth Exclusive Winner: A £500 cash prize celebrating emerging young talent

Core Introduction: Wildlife Artist of the Year is a prestigious international wildlife art competition organised annually by the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, a UK-based conservation charity dedicated to protecting endangered species and habitats. The competition aims to celebrate artistic excellence while raising awareness of wildlife conservation through powerful visual storytelling that highlights the beauty, fragility, and diversity of the natural world. It welcomes a broad range of artistic styles, techniques, and media, as long as the work is inspired by wildlife or the natural environment. Submitted artworks are judged by a panel of respected figures from the art, conservation, and wildlife sectors. Shortlisted and winning works are exhibited in a high-profile annual exhibition in London, providing artists with international exposure, professional recognition, and the opportunity to sell their work to collectors and wildlife art enthusiasts.