Royal Institute of Oil Painters

Overview

The Royal Institute of Oil Painters, founded in 1882, invites submissions for the ROI Annual Exhibition 2026. This open exhibition welcomes work on all subjects and approaches created exclusively in oil paint. The 2026 optional theme is 'Winter Rituals', with a special themed painting prize available.

Key Dates

• Submissions open: Monday 8 June 2026, 12 noon
• Submissions close: Friday 9 October 2026, 12 noon
• Notification of selection: Friday 23 October 2026, 12 noon
• Receiving Day (if selected): Saturday 14 November, 10am to 5pm
• Private View (invite only): Wednesday 25 November, 2pm to 8pm, official opening at 3pm
• Exhibition opens: Thursday 26 November, 10am to 5pm daily
• Exhibition closes: Saturday 12 December, 5pm
• Collection of unsold work: Tuesday 15 December, 10am to 5pm

Eligibility

Open to all artists. Work must be created in oil paint. Some awards are restricted to specific categories: Winsor & Newton Young Artist Awards for artists aged 30 or under; Daler-Rowney Award for first-time exhibitors with the ROI; Helen Hale Award for abstract or semi-abstract work; ROI Emerging Artist Prize for artists aged 30 or under.

What You'll Get If Selected

• Selected work included in the ROI Annual Exhibition at Mall Galleries, in the gallery and online
• Eligibility to win prizes and awards worth over £10,000
• Invitation to the Private View
• Opportunity to sell work
• Membership in the network of exhibiting artists
• Possibility of election to membership

Prizes & Awards

The ROI offers numerous prizes and awards totalling over £10,000, including The Roger Remington Award £4,000; Winsor & Newton Young Artist Award First Prize £1,000; The ROI Themed Painting Prize £500; The Peter Wileman Award £500; The Stanley Grimm Prize £700 (first £400, second £300); ROI Emerging Artist Prize £250 plus a day with an Institute member; The Small Painting Prize £250 (maximum 30.5 cm excluding frame); and many others. Additional awards include The Lady of the Chateau Award (place in immersive painting workshops in southwest France), materials, brush sets, publication in a greetings card, feature in The Artist magazine, easel award, crystal trophy, and certificates of commendation.

How to Submit

Submit online only through the Open Exhibition Submission System (OESS) between Monday 8 June and Friday 9 October 2026. Upload one image per submission in JPEG or PNG format under 5MB, showing the complete work. Two optional additional detail images per work may be submitted. Also provide title, medium, size (cm), year of completion, price, and optional artwork description. Judges base decisions on submitted images.

Submission Requirements

One main image showing the complete work is required; optional additional detail images (including framing if applicable) may be submitted. All images must be accurate and show work at its best.

Contact & Further Information

For more information about membership, visit the ROI website.