Open to all
London, UK
About the prize
The Gilbert Bayes Award for early career sculptors is a prestigious prize which supports the transition to professional practice and raises industry profile.
Award winners receive a year’s worth of professional development (including talks from guest speakers working in commercial galleries, art charities and private collections), a free year's membership of the Royal Society of Sculptors and inclusion in a group exhibition. Award recipients will also have the chance to apply for member-only opportunities as well as a residency based at Benson Sedgwick Engineering Ltd, a metal fabricator in East London.
The guest judge for the Gilbert Bayes Award 2027 is Kate Davies, arts strategist, consultant and collection expert whose experience includes the Government Art Collection and the Roberts Institute of Art where she was Director (2019-2026). Kate is a Trustee at Site Gallery, Sheffield.
The guest judge for the Gilbert Bayes Award 2026 is Tabish Khan, art critic, writer, speaker, podcaster, and curator who passionately believes in making art accessible to everyone.
The guest judge for the Gilbert Bayes Award 2025 is Freeny Yianni, curator and owner of CLOSE Gallery in Somerset that represents the Estates of Jane Harris and Turner Prize winner Grenville Davey as well as a rostrum of carefully selected artists who have propelled the gallery to its current international status.
In previous years the judges were gallerists Clemency Cooke and Charlotte Latham (2024) and artist and technologist Harry Yeff, Reeps100 (2023), independent curators Thorp Stavri (2022), curator and writer Aïcha Mehrez (2021) and artist Brian Griffiths (2020).
Meet Kate Davies, GBA 2027 Guest Selector
For 2027, we are delighted to welcome Kate Davies, arts strategist, consultant and collection expert whose experience includes the Government Art Collection and the Roberts Institute of Art where she was Director (2019-2026).
Kate has over 20 years’ experience working across visual art sector with artists, private collections, public institutions and philanthropic organisations. She specialises in developing ambitious artistic programmes, expanding public access to collections and building collaborative partnerships that create lasting cultural impact. Kate is currently a Project Consultant for the Government Art Collection, supporting a major new public engagement initiative to broaden access to the national collection through partnerships across the UK. Previously, Kate was Director of the David and Indrė Roberts Collection and the Roberts Institute of Art (RIA), where she established partnerships with more than 20 museums and cultural institutions, launched an artist residency in Scotland for international and UK artists and developed innovative commissioning and performance programmes. Earlier in her career, Kate held senior leadership roles with Damien Hirst and Newport Street Gallery, overseeing exhibition programmes, collection strategy and large-scale exhibition production. She is a proud Trustee of Site Gallery in Sheffield and serves on the Advisory Committee of the Stoa Foundation.
Entry Process
Applications are welcomed from early career artists of any age and nationality, with or without formal training, though not in formal education. All styles of media are considered, including installation, site specific, performance, conceptual and video work. A minimum of four years exhibiting experience is expected. Applicants, based in the UK and internationally, must be committed to embracing all aspects of the Award and actively participate in all Award events.
Artists who have been elected to be members of the Society are not eligible to apply.
Students are not eligible for the GBA programme.
Please note that the Society is unable to contribute financially towards artist expenses, travel costs or any costs associated with the group show exhibition.
Hear from GBA alumni about their experience
Current Winners
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