The RP Critical Writing Prize ($750)
The Royal Society of Portrait Painters is now accepting submissions for the RP Critical Writing Prize 2025, an award dedicated to fresh, engaging writing on any aspect of the contemporary painted or drawn portrait. This prize seeks to expand the ongoing dialogue around portraiture, providing a platform for writers who can spark intelligent, thought-provoking, and accessible conversations about the visual arts.
Deadline: 15 December 2025, 5pm | Entry is free
Prize
- £500 First Prize
- £250 Two Special Mentions
- All three winning essays will be published in the RP Annual Exhibition Catalogue (May 2026), a respected document of record in the art sector.
Eligibility for the RP Critical Writing Prize
- Open to all—no restrictions on age, nationality, or academic background
- Submissions must be in English
- Free to enter
- Essays should be enquiring, provoking, jargon-free, and accessible to a broad readership
- Academic dissertations or overly technical essays will not be considered
How to Apply for the RP Critical Writing Prize
- Submit the title and the first 200 words of your essay (on the contemporary painted or drawn portrait) to luke@therp.co.uk
- From these submissions, three writers will be chosen to complete and submit their essays in full
- Final essays should be 1000–1500 words in length
- Texts may take different forms: exhibition reviews, critical reflections, or creative/experimental approaches
- Winning and shortlisted essays may be used by the Society for promotional purposes in print, online, and across social media
Judging Panel
- Anthony Connolly – President, Royal Society of Portrait Painters
- Alexander Marr – Professor of Renaissance & Early Modern Art, University of Cambridge
- Laura Gascoigne – Art Critic
- Alison Smith – Chief Curator, National Portrait Gallery
Additional Information
The 2025 Annual Exhibition of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters will run from 8–17 May and may provide a useful source of reference for entrants, though it is not a requirement. Past winning texts (2023 & 2024) can also be read on the Society’s website to guide applicants in terms of tone and approach.
The Society emphasizes inclusivity and strongly encourages writers of all backgrounds—regardless of age, ethnicity, disability, gender, or income—to apply. If applicants face barriers to participation, they are encouraged to contact luke@therp.co.uk at least two weeks before the deadline to discuss accommodations.
Personal data submitted will only be used to process entries, shared with the judging panel, and retained by the Society for research and record purposes for up to 10 years.
