Frequently asked questions

A link to a video tutorial on how to photograph your work can be found here. You can also read more detailed information on how to photograph your work here.

Works of sculpture, architecture models and artist’s books must have three images uploaded, showing the work from different angles. All other works require at least one primary image, but are allowed two additional ‘detail’ images.

No. If you upload images of different artworks in the three available spaces, only the first image will be judged.

The image that you upload of your artwork can include or exclude the frame – it’s up to you. You will actually be able to upload three images of each work, so one image could include the frame and one could not.

Images must be in one of the following formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG. Each image must not exceed 3MB. If your image is in portrait format, the height of your image must be at least 1080 pixels. If your image is in landscape format, the width must be at least 1920 pixels (it can be less only if the height is at least 1080 pixels). There are plenty of free online tools that will resize images for you.

Make sure the orientation of your image is correct before uploading it to your account. To do this, open the image file on your computer and look for an option to edit or rotate. Once you have the image in the correct orientation, you can then upload it to your account.

Please note that copies of work, for example prints (such as giclée prints) made from original paintings or drawings, will not be accepted.

No. Though you may sell editions of your work, they must be exactly the same as the exhibited piece in terms of size, medium and colour tone.

In line with the above, we do not accept editions of works which exist in other forms. For example, you cannot sell editions of a drawing or painting.

No. As with prints, you may sell editions of your work but they must be exactly the same as the exhibited piece in terms of size, medium and colour tone.

For example, if your submitted sculpture is made of steel, you may not sell bronze editions.

No. Shortlisted entries may be delivered unframed but the Royal Academy cannot accept liability for such works. The Royal Academy is also not able to accept liability for photographic works mounted on aluminium or similar materials. If you decide not to frame your work you are advised to submit it in a simple travel frame, indicating that it should remain in the frame until it is hung. This will act as a frame, protecting the work during storage.

Yes. Other works such as watercolours and prints must be framed behind glass. However, you do not have to have your work framed until you have been shortlisted.  If you choose not to frame your work before the first round of judging, please estimate the dimensions including a frame when entering in the artwork details.

You are strongly encouraged to use simple, neutral coloured frames. Metal, glass and Perspex clip frames are not acceptable.

Maximum size for a submitted work (excluding sculpture and architecture models) is 244 x 350 cm. However, any one part of a large sculpture or architecture model should not exceed 200cm on the longest side and the total weight may be no more than 3,000kg when packed.

Yes, but the parts must be securely fixed together with a baton or within a simple travel frame and the overall size must not exceed 244 x 350 cm. The parts must also be labelled (for example, 1 of 2 and 2 of 2).

A work of architecture may consist of several drawings or models of one project. However, they must be mounted on a single backing, contained within one frame or included within one model case.

Preferably created within the last 2 years.

No, it is not possible to create a site specific work as all shortlisted entries will have to go through a judging panel on the allocated dates.

The ‘Type of Work’ category you choose will determine which Members of the Selection Committee will judge your work.

For example, if you want the Sculptor Members of the Committee to judge your work, please select ‘Sculpture’ from the drop-down list in the ‘Type of Work’ section.

A full list of categories can be found below.

Architecture Members will judge Architectural wall-based and Architectural model. They will not judge works from the Drawing category. They may also judge an Audio visual work, should they find it relevant to their category.

Sculpture Members will judge Sculpture only. They will not judge Mixed Media submissions.

Printmaking and Painting Members will judge Artist’s book, Drawing, Mixed Media, Painting, Photograph, Print and Watercolour. They may also judge an Audio visual work, should they find it relevant to their category.

Yes.

For the first round of judging, your primary image should be of the whole book so the Selection Committee can get an idea of how it would be displayed if selected. The judges must see the whole book and not just images of individual pages. That said, the detail images can then be of individual pages.

Shortlisted artists’ books should be submitted in a box (for protection purposes only – not to be exhibited) with the sticky label on the outside of the box and the tie-on label looped around the book’s spine. More information regarding barcodes and labels can be found in the section regarding the “Delivery & Collection Process” below.

Yes.

Artists submitting audio-visual works will need to purchase their Entry Form online. However, film-based works cannot be uploaded to the online accounts. Therefore each film-based work must be posted to the Royal Academy on a DVD or sent via Hightail/WeTransfer. Please contact us once you have purchased an Entry Form for details on where to send the file.

The entry must be in a QuickTime file format (.mov). We are unable to accept films submitted in any other format. Please do not include a menu screen.

You must submit your online Entry Form by 13 February 2015. If you are sending your audio visual work by post (on a DVD) we must receive it by 17 February 2015.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to view artist catalogues and/or additional prints at any stage of the competition.

If your work is shortlisted in the first round, you will be asked to submit a 100 word statement regarding your shortlisted work. This is for press and publicity purposes only, and will not affect the judges' decision.

If your work is exhibited, you will be invited to submit a biography on a single-sided page of A4.

Preferably, but if your work is not for sale, you will be able to indicate this when filling in your artwork details online.

Yes. If you are VAT registered, please ensure that you include VAT on your total retail price. Of this total retail price, the Academy will collect 30% at the point of sale.

If you are not VAT registered, you do not need to include VAT on the total retail price. However, the Academy will collect 30% plus VAT (20%) on that commission. This works out to be 36% of the total retail price.

The answer to this question depends on whether you reside in or outside the UK.

If you reside IN the UK (according to the address you register when submitting your details), you will only need to be VAT registered if you reach the threshold as outlined by HM Revenue & Customs (www.gov.uk/business-tax/vat).

However, if you reside OUTSIDE the UK (according to the address you register when submitting your details), you MUST be VAT registered in the UK, regardless of whether you reach the threshold or not. This is in line with recent updates by HM Revenue & Customs (www.gov.uk/business-tax/vat).

VAT numbers from other countries will NOT be accepted. A valid UK VAT number will be prefaced with the letters “GB”.

You must apply for a VAT number as soon as possible if you reside outside the UK and wish to sell your work. It is free to apply and can be done through the HM Revenue & Customs website (www.gov.uk/business-tax/vat).

In the meantime, you can still enter the price of your artwork and submit your Entry Form online, but if your work is shortlisted we must receive your VAT number by Monday, 18 May 2015 or we will have to list your work as Not for Sale in the catalogue.

Once you have your VAT number, you must contact the Summer Exhibition Office to supply us with this information.

There are three stages:

• In the first round, the Selection Committee will convene and all submissions will be judged separately from digital images shown on a large, high definition screen. If shortlisted, you will then be sent a barcode and labels pack, and invited to deliver your work to the Academy. Notifications for the first round will be sent by email on 13 March.

• The works that are shortlisted and delivered for the second round will be reviewed by the Selection Committee. Works that make it through this second round will go through a final selection process. Notifications for the second round will be sent by email on 1 May.

• The final selection process will determine which works are exhibited. Notifications for the final round will be sent by email on 21 May.

The digital system allows artists to follow their progress and check the status of their work by visiting their online account. Artists will also be emailed each time their status changes.

The works will be judged by the Summer Exhibition Selection Committee, which is comprised of around a dozen Royal Academicians, all of whom are painters, sculptors, printmakers, or architects.

No. To ensure fairness and impartiality, the Selection Committee’s decision is final.

You may only deliver your work if you have been shortlisted in the first round. Shortlisted entrants will be sent a set of hardcopy barcodes and labels that will need to be affixed to their work for delivery.

Please refer below for details regarding specific delivery days for your type of work.

The digital system will allow you to print out a copy of your barcode, along with the details of your shortlisted work. If you do not receive the hardcopy barcodes and labels by post, please affix the print-out to the back of your work.

No. Each shortlisted artist will be sent a set of unique barcodes which will correspond to their work only.

The date you deliver your shortlisted artwork will depend on your country of residence (as completed on your Entry Form) and the type of work you have submitted.

UK Artists (Artist’s Book, Drawing, Painting, Photograph, Print, Mixed Media, Watercolour)
Monday 30 March     8am – 7pm
Tuesday 31 March    8am – 7pm
Wednesday 1 April    8am – 1pm

Sculpture
Wednesday 29 April    8am – 7pm

Architecture (Models and Wall-Based Works)
Thursday 30 April    8am – 7pm

International Artists only (Shortlisted works in any category and medium)
Wednesday 29 April    8am – 7pm

No. If you entered a UK address on your Entry Form, you may only deliver your shortlisted entry on the days allocated to UK artists. If you attempt to deliver your work on the day allocated to International artists, your work will not be accepted.

If you are a UK-based artist (as indicated on your Entry Form) and your shortlisted work was submitted under the category of Mixed Media, you must deliver it on one of the following days:

Monday 30 March   8am – 7pm
Tuesday 31 March   8am – 7pm
Wednesday 1 April   8am – 1pm

If you miss these delivery days, you will NOT be able to submit it on the later day designated for Sculpture entries.

No. If you are invited to deliver your work for the second round of judging, you may ask a friend or a transport agent to deliver it on your behalf. Please note that the work must be unwrapped on arrival before being presented to our art handling team. However if your work is unframed and you would like it to remain in a simple travel frame for protection until it is hung, you may do so as long as the work is visible for judging.

No. You may arrange to post the work to a transport agent who could then deliver it unwrapped on the appropriate day, but the Academy will not accept works that are sent directly to us by post or couriers (such as FedEx, DHL, etc.).

Though you will not receive a physical receipt when your work is delivered, it will be scanned on arrival and the date of delivery will be shown on your online account.

11 May – 5 June 2015

(Mondays to Fridays from 8am to 4pm, Saturdays from 9am to 4pm, excluding Bank Holidays)

Notification will be sent on 1 May 2015 to artists whose shortlisted work has not made it to the final stage.

Those who make it through to the final round, but are not exhibited, will be notified on 21 May 2015 and will be able to collect their work as soon as they receive this communication.

22 August – 11 September 2015

(Mondays to Fridays from 8am to 4pm, Saturdays from 9am to 4pm, excluding Bank Holidays)

Once the collection period has ended there is storage charge of £15 per work per week.

If you have not collected your shortlisted artwork by the collection deadline (Friday, 5 June 2015), you must make an appointment to collect the artwork. To book an appointment, please email [email protected].

Collection appointments will be restricted to Monday to Friday only, but you must book a time in advance before collecting your artwork.

As outlined in the Terms and Conditions and notification email, the RA will charge a storage fee of £15 per work, per week. The fee can be paid either by cash or credit/debit card upon arrival.

The prizes for the 2015 Summer Exhibition include:

The Royal Academy of Arts Charles Wollaston Award
£25,000 for the most distinguished work in the exhibition

The Jack Goldhill Award for Sculpture
£10,000 for a sculpture

The Hugh Casson Drawing Prize
£5,000 for an original work on paper in any medium, where the emphasis is clearly on drawing

The Sunny Dupree Family Award for a Woman Artist
£3,500 for a painting or sculpture

The London Original Print Fair Prize
(Sponsored by Towry)
£2,000 for a print in any medium

Arts Club Charitable Trust Award
£2,000 for a work in any medium (except architecture)

The British Institution Awards for Students
Four prizes of £1,000 each awarded to student exhibitors for paintings, works on paper, sculpture and architecture

The Rose Award for Photography
£1,000 for a photograph or series of photographs

There is no application procedure as such. All exhibited works will be judged automatically according to their categories.

Most will be announced on Non-Members’ Varnishing Day, but the Wollaston Award will be announced separately on a date to be confirmed.

Monday, 1 June 2015. Details regarding the event (called Non-Members’ Varnishing Day) will be printed on your notification letter if your work is exhibited.

No, the event is for exhibitors only.

Yes, but it will only feature selected works from the exhibition.

It will be available from the RA shop and online.

When an exhibited work is sold, the buyer signs a white ‘Offer to Purchase’ slip which will be posted to your address. A red spot will be also be displayed on the catalogue number plate in the galleries to indicate that an offer has been made on your work.

If you have sold editions of your work, you will receive a Sales Report as an attachment by email within roughly two weeks of the offer being placed. A red spot will also be displayed on the frame or near to the artwork to indicate that an offer has been made on one of the editions.

Once you have received the white ‘Offer to Purchase’ slip for the exhibited artwork or the Sales Report for editions, you will need to contact the buyer in order to obtain the payment due to you.

For the exhibited work, the amount owed to you will appear on the Offer to Purchase slip under the heading ‘Payment Due To Artist’.

For editions, the amount owed to you will appear on the Sales Report under the heading 'Payment To Artist'.

The deposit refers to the commission retained by the Royal Academy. The commission of all artworks sold (including editions) goes to support the Royal Academy Schools and the programme of exhibitions.

The Academy’s commission is 30% (plus VAT). Please refer to the Terms and Conditions for further details.

Once you have accepted the offer, if you do not receive a response from the buyer of your work within four weeks, please contact us.

If you have received the balance of payment for the exhibited work, please sign and post the small, grey Removal Order card to the buyer so that they may collect the work directly from the Academy.

The ‘Removal Order’ is a small card that is posted to all exhibitors in the Summer Exhibition. It specifies the name of the artist and the title of the artwork. The name of the individual collecting the work must be written on the card, which must be signed by the artist. This is a legal document and the work will only be released by the Academy upon presentation of this card.

If you have misplaced your Removal Order, please contact us as soon as possible.

No. The Removal Order is a legal document, therefore no digital copies or scanned versions will be accepted. The individual collecting the artwork from the Academy must have the hardcopy Removal Order.

No. Collection or shipment of the work is arranged between the artist and the buyer.

No. Payment of any shipping costs involved in the sale of an exhibited work must be settled between the artist and the buyer.

No. As stated our Entry Rules, all prices stated in the Entry Form should include UK postage and packing for sending unframed editions of prints to purchasers.

If the buyer resides outside of the United Kingdom, he or she must bear the transportation and importation costs.

All exhibited artworks, whether they are sold or unsold, must be collected from the Academy between Saturday, 22nd August and Friday, 11th September 2015. Collections can be made from 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday and 9am to 4pm on Saturday. No collections are possible on Sundays or Bank Holidays.

Failure to collect the work within these dates may result in a storage fee of £15 per work, per week.

Yes. As outlined in our Terms and Conditions, where a sale is made as a direct or indirect result of its display in the Exhibition (incl. editions of exhibited work), commission is payable and you should notify the Academy.

Monday, 8 June – Sunday, 16 August 2015.

In January 2016, please visit www.royalacademy.org.uk.