Open to all
Dora House
About the prize
This biennial award is open to any artist working in three dimensions, providing a unique and rare opportunity for the winner to build a track record in the competitive arena of public art.
The fabrication of the winning work is supported by the award, with the winner receiving mentoring from a team of experienced professionals – engineers, consultants and artists – to ensure the concept is delivered to the exacting standards required of work to be installed in public spaces.
This award is generously supported by the Mirisch & Lebenheim Charitable Foundation
The five artists shortlisted for First Plinth: Public Art Award 2025 were Bea Haines MRSS (Winner), Emily Motto, Gabriele Risso MRSS, Olana Light MRSS and Regan Boyce GBA.
The five shortlisted artists made maquettes as part of the final phase of the competition. The maquettes were on show at Dora House as part of the International Sculpture Day on Saturday 26 April and following the Sculpture Symposium, Bea Haines MRSS was announced as the winner.
Recent winners
The winner of the First Plinth: Public Art Award 2023, Madi Acharya-Baskerville MRSS, was announced during the Public Art Symposium, that took place at Dora House on on Saturday 29 April marking International Sculpture Day. Madi's commission was unveiled on 1 June 2024 at Dora House and is at The Art House, Wakefield until June 2025.
The winner of the First Plinth: Public Art Award 2021 was Polly Morgan MRSS and her work Open! Channel! Flow! was on the sculpture terrace at Dora House in 2023 and is now at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park until June 2025.
The making of 'The Double Act'
What how 'The Double Act' by Madi Acharya-Baskerville MRSS winner of the First Plinth: Public Art Award 2023 was made.
The making of 'OPEN! CHANNEL! FLOW!'
First Plinth: Public Art Award 2021 winner Polly Morgan MRSS talks about the making of 'Open! Channel! Flow!'
Past Winners
