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RISE by Henley Festival Emerging Artist Prize
Henley Festival 2026 Presented by Hemani has opened applications for this year’s ‘RISE by Henley Festival Emerging Artist Prize’. Established in 2025, the prize rewards trailblazing emerging talent in the visual arts space. The award forms part of Henley Festival’s charitable mission: to support the next generation of talent through its RISE programme.
The UK’s only black-tie music and arts festival is a world-class experience like no other: pop, world, classical, folk, and jazz music, alongside comedy, cabaret, visual arts, sculpture, roving performers, dining, drinks, dancing and unforgettably jaw-dropping fireworks. But it’s more than unforgettable event: Henley Festival is a charity and the Festival’s RISE programme gives a unique platform for emerging talent to explore their creativity in a festival setting. RISE was created to champion up-and-coming creatives in visual arts, music and backstage, providing opportunities where they’re increasingly hard to find. RISE supports talented musicians and visual artists at the heart of the festival, while giving future backstage professionals paid, hands-on experience with internationally renowned lighting and sound companies. With funding, mentoring, professional advice, and a welcoming audience, RISE provides the support they need to thrive.
The RISE by Henley Festival Emerging Artist Prize was created to support and nurture emerging talent in the visual arts. The award gives recognition and awareness to outstanding visual artists who are in the early stages of their professional career, and who have not yet established a reputation as an artist amongst art curators and buyers. Last year’s inaugural winner Raoul Orzabal received £1000 for his intricately detailed landscapes and cityscapes, while runners-up Curtis Chan and Susan Kellaway were awarded £500 each for their vibrant paintings.
Submissions for the 2026 Prize are now open and will close on 31 March. The shortlist of artists will be announced on 7 April and three finalists revealed on 14 April, with a first prize of £1000 and two runners-up prizes of £500. The three finalists will also have the exciting opportunity to exhibit and sell their work at the RISE Gallery at Henley Festival 2026, which will take place from 8-12 July. The Festival is celebrated for its innovative art scene, as it transforms the Thames riverside into an immersive outdoor gallery with striking assemblages of paintings, prints, sculptures, drawings and more.
The panel of judges for the RISE by Henley Festival Emerging Artist Prize 2026 are:
Jo Bausor, CEO, Henley Festival
Katie Newman, Managing Director, David Messum Fine Art
Rebecca Swainston, British artist
Emma Ellis, Head of RISE, Henley Festival
For more information about the RISE by Henley Festival Emerging Artist Prize and how to enter, visit the Festival website at https://henley-festival.co.uk/rise/emerging-artist-prize/.