The Dover Prize is open for applications
The Dover Prize, by Point North offers a £10,000 bursary for UK artists to experiment, reflect and create.
Applications are now open for The Dover Prize 2025, a significant opportunity for UK-based visual artists and creative practitioners to develop their practice through a two-year bursary worth £10,000.
Open to individuals, partnerships or collectives from across the UK, The Dover Prize supports time to think, research, reflect and experiment. It offers a rare chance to consolidate existing work or make a bold step-change in approach – with the final result exhibited for the first time in Darlington.
Now in its 26th year, The Dover Prize was established in 1998 by philanthropist Peggy Nonhebel (née Dover) to promote the arts and arts education in and around Darlington. It has supported over 20 artists and awarded more than £85,000.
The deadline to apply for The Dover Prize is Sunday 1 June 2025
What the Prize offers?
The Dover Prize provides:
- A £10,000 bursary, paid across two years
- The freedom to explore new ideas, materials or collaborations
- Space to test and refine approaches
- Support in identifying venues and partners in Darlington for a premiere exhibition in 2027.
The funding can be used to support a wide range of activities, including research travel, materials, equipment, workshops, or training. Applicants must clearly outline how they would use the funding to develop their work.
Rebecca Moss, artist and recipient of The Dover Prize in 2023 said, at the time of her win;
“I am thrilled to win The Dover Prize at a very timely moment in my work and life.
With this prize I plan to explore Darlington’s industrial heritage, thinking about pre-electronic power and energy, and drawing upon my interest in mechanisms that are activated by water.
I still can’t believe I won, and I am so grateful for this award.“
Who can apply?
The Dover Prize is open to artists, creative practitioners, partnerships and small collectives who are:
- based in the UK
- working in the visual arts, which includes but isn’t limited to: painting, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, photography, digital art, film, performance, installation.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate a commitment to their practice by meeting at least three of the following professional criteria:
- You are regularly making and exhibiting artwork
- You have received professional grants or awards
- You are involved in organising self-created professional opportunities (e.g. artist-led studios or projects)
- You hold a degree in visual or applied arts (undergraduate and/or postgraduate)
- You have been commissioned by a public institution
- Your work has been purchased by a public collection
- Your work has been reviewed or featured in an art journal, magazine, newspaper, or online curated platform
- You are represented by a gallery
- You have taken part in a recognised residency or artist placement scheme.
Previous applicants are warmly welcomed to apply again.
Together, we make a difference
At Point North we know that poverty can steal opportunities and hold people back from pursuing creative careers. With this award we aim to support creative opportunities for artists at any stage of their career and to enrich arts and culture in Darlington.
"We’re always so excited to launch The Dover Prize and invite creative practitioners from across the UK to dream big.
This prize is about time, space and ambition, it's a chance for artists to develop bold new work that will be shared in Darlington in 2027.
We’re also delighted to welcome this year’s judging panel, Phil Gatenby, Vicky Holbrough, Matthew Jarratt, Helen Marriage, Dr. Alistair Robinson, Vicky Sturrs and Stephen Wiper, who each bring incredible insight and passion for the arts. I can’t wait to see what ideas come forward this year."
How to apply
The deadline to apply is Sunday 1 June 2025, visit The Dover Prize website to find out more and submit your application.
