The Royal Institute of Oil Painters Annual Exhibition 2026
The Royal Institute of Oil Painters · Mall Galleries, London
- ✓ Hand-verified by Arthead editorial · Sep 14, 2026
About this call
The Royal Institute of Oil Painters holds its Annual Exhibition at Mall Galleries in London and opens submissions to artists worldwide working in oil. Founded in 1882, the ROI is one of the oldest societies devoted to a single medium, and its annual show remains the largest exhibition of contemporary oil painting in the United Kingdom. Any artist aged 18 or over may enter, with up to six works submitted and as many as three selected for the walls. Work must be in oil paint, with water-mixable oils accepted, and must have been completed within the last three years and not previously shown at Mall Galleries. Entry costs £22 per work, reduced to £14.50 per work for artists aged 35 or under. Submissions are made online through the OESS system with a JPEG or PNG under 5MB, plus up to two optional detail images. The exhibition runs from 26 November to 12 December 2026, with prizes totalling over £10,000.
Who can apply
- International applicants
- Medium: Painting
- Entry fee: £22
- Any artist aged 18 or over may enter, from any country. Work must be in oil paint (water-mixable oils are acceptable), completed within the last three years, and not previously exhibited at Mall Galleries. A maximum of six works may be submitted and up to three may be selected. Entry is £22 per work, or £14.50 per work for artists aged 35 or under. Submit online through OESS with a JPEG or PNG under 5MB per work, plus up to two optional detail images. Submissions close Friday 9 October at 12 noon.