Organizer

National Portrait Gallery, London

Location

Global competition, organizer based in London, UK

Deadline

8 January 2026 (online submission deadline)

Competition Category

• Portrait painting
• Figurative art
• Contemporary portraiture

Eligibility

Unlimited (open to artists of all nationalities aged 18 and over)

Entry Fee

Paid Standard entry fee: £40 50% discount for artists aged 18-25, students or those receiving Disability Benefits Free for artists receiving Universal Credit or Pension Credit

Prizes/Awards

• First prize: £35,000
• Second prize: £12,000
• Third prize: £10,000
• Young Artist Award (ages 18-30): £9,000
• Bi-annual Artist Commission: £14,000
• Exhibition at National Portrait Gallery, London (25 June - 7 October 2026)

Core Introduction

The Herbert Smith Freehills Portrait Award is one of the world's leading competitions for contemporary portrait painting, organized by the National Portrait Gallery in London. Continuing the tradition of the former BP Portrait Award, the competition celebrates excellence in figurative art and provides a global platform for artists. Winning works will be exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery for over three months.