Summer Exhibition 2016
Submission to the Summer Exhibition 2016 is now closed.
Submit your work for the Summer Exhibition
If you would like a chance to see your work displayed in the world’s largest open-submission exhibition, this is the place to get started. Just follow our three simple steps.
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Create your account
Submitted in 2015? You should already have a Summer Exhibition account. Login to your account, or request a new password if you’ve forgotten.
First time entrant? Register now and we’ll send you a link to your new account.
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Pay your entry fee
You can enter one or two works, for a fee of £25 per work, which covers our administration costs. You can pay this online by credit or debit card.
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Enter the details and upload images of your artwork
What happens next?
The first round of selection will be made from digital images of artworks, from which the judges will shortlist up to 4,000 entries to be delivered to the Academy for the second round.
If you are successful in the first, digital round, we will notify you by email and ask you to deliver your artwork to the Royal Academy for the next round of selection.
You can also check the progress of your submission using your Summer Exhibition account whenever you like.
Cost and deadlines
The entry fee is non-refundable. If you initially choose to enter only one work, it won’t be possible to add a second work at a later date.
You must pay your fee and submit your digital entry, including images of your artworks, by midnight on Friday 12 February 2016 at the latest. We will not accept any late submissions.
We are only accepting 12,000 entries, which is in line with the upper limit of submissions we’ve received in previous years. Entries for last year’s exhibition sold out before the deadline so we encourage you to enter as soon as possible.
Make sure you read the Terms and Conditions of Entry.
Any questions?
If you have a question, first take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions If you can/'t find the answer to your question, get in touch
Existing Users Login
2016 Timeline
Next year's Entry Form will be available from early January 2017. If you would like to find out more about the entry process, please go to our FAQ above and click on the Helpful Links below.
Results
11 March - first round of judging (from digital images)
19 May - second round of judging (from shortlisted work)
28 May - final results
Delivery of shortlisted works selected from digital images
The date you deliver your shortlisted artwork will depend on the type of work you submit (as completed on your Entry Form). Please note, artists are only required to deliver work if shortlisted from the first round of judging.
Sculpture
Tuesday 10 May 8am – 7pm
Architecture (Models and Wall-Based Work)
Wednesday 11 May 8am – 5pm
Two-dimensional work (Artist’s Book, Drawing, Painting, Photograph, Print, Mixed Media, Watercolour)
Thursday 12 May 10am – 7pm
Friday 13 May 8am – 5pm
Summer Exhibition 2016 Co-ordinator
Richard Wilson
Selection and Hanging Committee 2016
Stephen Chambers, Louisa Hutton, Bill Jacklin, Jock McFadyen, David Mach, Cathie Pilkington, David Remfry, Ian Ritchie and Bill Woodrow
Office Hours
The Summer Exhibition Office is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm. If you have a query regarding the submission process, please Contact Us and we will respond within three working days.
Helpful Links
Video Tutorial: How To Photograph Your Work
How To Photograph Your Work (PDF)
Suggested Transport Agents (PDF)
VAT Information (International Artists) (PDF)
Artwork Sales Information
Message to Printmakers (PDF)