Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award 2027: £35,000 Top Prize
London's National Portrait Gallery invites artists worldwide to enter the Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award 2027, a major international competition for contemporary portrait painting.
Eligibility
Artists aged 18 or over, of any nationality, can apply with a painted portrait completed after January 1, 2025, based on a sitting or study from life and focused on the human figure.
Work and key dates
Entries close at 10:00 p.m. UK time on December 1, 2026. Initial judging uses digital images. Artists shortlisted at that stage must deliver their paintings to London for physical judging. Selected works are scheduled for exhibition from June 24 to October 10, 2027. The Gallery's exhibition webpage lists 10 October as the closing date, but the competition rules PDF lists 3 October. Confirm the latest dates directly with the Gallery.
Awards and costs
Prizes are £35,000 for first place, £12,000 for second and £10,000 for third. The Young Artist Award offers £9,000 to an artist aged 18–30. Standard entry costs £40, with reductions or waivers for qualifying applicants.
Submission and important terms
Apply through the National Portrait Gallery's official competition portal. Check the full rules for allowed painting media, dimensions, copyright and shipping. Established more than four decades ago, the award has drawn over 50,000 entries from more than 100 countries.
Organizer and official call
Information notice
This article is an edited, translated summary of an external organizer's call. Eligibility, deadlines, prizes, intellectual-property terms and costs may change. Always consult the organizer's latest rules before applying, paying or shipping work. The official call takes precedence.