RBSA Candidates Exhibition 2027

About this call

The RBSA Candidates Exhibition at the RBSA Gallery in Birmingham, United Kingdom, shows the work of artists who wish to be elected to the Society as Associates or, for existing Associates, as full Members. Each candidate submits six works; Members and Associates who visit vote in a secret ballot (only full Members vote on candidates for full membership), and a candidate needs 50% +1 of the votes cast. The exhibition is open to the public, and a digital catalogue accompanies it.

Who can apply

• Open to applicants of any nationality
• Medium: Painting / Drawing / Printmaking / Photography / Sculpture / Installation / Mixed Media / New Media
• Entry fee: £60
• Applicants must be over 18. Self-nomination is for artists with a strong record of participation in RBSA Open/Prize Exhibitions (for Associateship the RBSA Friends Exhibition does not count); nomination also needs the support of at least two RBSA Members. There are separate online entry forms for Associateship and Membership and for self-nominated and nominated candidates. Full Membership is only for those who have been RBSA Associates for at least three years; work shown in their Associateship candidature cannot be entered, and if elected one piece, their Diploma Piece (not for sale, marked DP), passes into the RBSA's Permanent Collection. Submit six original works, chosen with your mentor or proposer, with a statement of no more than 250 words (a brief CV and artist's statement) in the third person; images JPG, at least 2000 pixels on the smallest side, 300dpi. All work apart from the Diploma Piece must be for sale for the whole exhibition. AI-generated images and reproductions such as giclee prints are not accepted; prints must be editioned; video equipment must be provided by the artist and PAT tested, and headphones provided for sound. Work should be framed for mirror plates (no clip frames), and works over 1.5m in any dimension must be discussed with the Gallery. Self-nominated candidates submit artworks by the deadline; nominated candidates submit entry information by then and artworks by 4.00pm on 16 March. The signed consent or nomination form, original hard copy (no scans or photos by email), must reach the Gallery by 5.00pm on 18 March. One-off fee £60, non-refundable; elected candidates pay the Society's annual subscription. Sales commission 45% + VAT. Selected artists are announced at the end of February; work is delivered to the Gallery 31 March to 3 April at the artist's own risk; international artists deliver through Picture Post, which can receive works from non-art couriers for an additional fee, and handle UK customs. A briefing for artists interested in Associateship is held on Sunday 29 November, 2.00pm to 4.00pm.