Cooper Prize 2027
16th July 2026
Entries for 2027 Cooper Prize competition are now open!
The Cooper Prize, formerly known as South Yorkshire Open Art Competition, is open to artists who are born, live or work in South Yorkshire and aims to reward and celebrate excellence and originality in mixed media.
Artists are invited to submit up one piece of artwork, whether it be abstract, figurative, contemporary or traditional where the very best will be selected to form part of an exhibition at Cooper Gallery, Barnsley. The work must not exceed 180cms in its greatest dimension. There is no minimum size limit. The Competition is open to both 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional works. All entered work must have been completed within the last 3 years.
The competition is open to professional, amateur or student artists.
How to apply
Artists can enter online at https://my.barnsley.gov.uk/form/cooper-gallery-competition/your-details. If artists are unable to enter online, please contact cooperprize@barnsley.gov.uk for further details.
Artists are required to submit the following:
- The completed online entry form
- Images of one recent work, in digital format (jpg, max. 2MB file size)
- A non-refundable application fee
Please read the terms and conditions and competition guidelines before submitting your artwork.
Submissions are open from Monday 13 July until 11.59pm Monday 14 December 2026.
Entry Fees
The entry fee for 2027 is as follows. Artists may only enter one artwork.
- The Cooper Prize – £15 per artist non refundable fee.
- The Sadler Award – £5 per artist non refundable fee. (Open to any student or graduate that has graduated within the past two years).
- The Fox Gift – Free to enter. (Open to under 16s)
Please note that if you decide not to upload any works or fail to complete your application before the deadline, refunds will not be given.
Following the selection process, all artists will be notified no later than 5pm on Friday 12 Feb 2027.
What happens next?
From the open submission applications, the panel will select approximately 80 works for exhibition. The artists selected for the final exhibition will be contacted by a member of the curatorial team with full delivery details for their work by no later than 5pm on Friday 12 Feb 2027. Currently, delivery of works is due to take place Sat 20 Feb 2027 – Sat 27 Feb 2027, with installation of works week commencing Monday 1 March 2027.
The Cooper Prize exhibition will take place at the Cooper Gallery, Barnsley, from Saturday 6 March – Saturday 12 June 2027. All finalists will have their selected artwork included in the exhibition, plus prizes to be won:
The Cooper Prize (Overall Winner)
£1000, solo exhibition in Sadler Room at the Cooper Gallery
Main gallery exhibition with Cooper Prize Finalists
The Sadler Award (Emerging Artist)
(Open to any student or graduate that has graduated within the past two years).
£500
Main gallery exhibition with Cooper Prize Finalists
The Fox Gift (Artists under 16)
£100 gift card for artist materials
Main gallery exhibition with Cooper Prize Finalists
Submissions are open from Monday 13 July until 11.59pm Monday 14 December 2026.
Visit https://my.barnsley.gov.uk/form/cooper-gallery-competition/your-details to submit your entry.
If you have any questions or issues with the application process, please email cooperprize@barnsley.gov.uk
