open call 2026

Do you make visual art and are you younger than 35? One of the oldest art award in the Netherlands: The Royal Award of Modern Painting, offers a stage and springboard for your career.

Submit your work by 15 August 2025 at the latest and who knows, you might soon receive this prestigious award from the hands of the King and your work might be exhibited between the historic chandeliers in the Royal Palace Amsterdam from the end of January to March 2026.

Artists such as Toorop (1887), Jan Sluijters (1904), Jan Dibbets (1974), Natasja Kensmil (1998), Raquel van Haver (2018), Bobbi Essers (2023) have already preceded you.

This year the members of the jury are: Marcel van den Berg, Amira Gad, Yasmijn Jarram, Rezi van Lankveld, Mounira al Solh, Ina van Zyl and Mirjam Westen (Chair).

“The Award meant a lot for me. Ever since my first nomination, I have received lot of interest from the art world. It really helped expand my network". – nominee 2025

How to submit work?

Dutch nationals who are working as independent, professional artists and were aged under 35 on 1 January 2026 may apply for an award. Furthermore, artists must be aged 24 or above on 1 January 2026, unless they have successfully received a bachelor’s degree at an art academy.

Non-Dutch nationals living in the Netherlands, who satisfy the conditions may also apply provided they are in possession of a valid residence permit and/or a citizen service number (BSN). In addition, they must have permanent ties with the Netherlands. Students enrolled at an art academy on the date on which the awards are to be presented are not eligible (except for master-students).

The list of nominees is carefully compiled by a professional jury through two judging rounds. The first round will take place on 6 september 2025 and second judging round will take place on 7 and 8 October 2025. The award ceremony and opening of the exhibition at the Royal Palace Amsterdam take place in February 2026. The dates might be subject to change.

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"Did your work not get selected a previous edition? "It is always worth submitting your work again. The jury will get your work in the picture and can follow your progression, which could result in a nomination or maybe a win!" - as said by a nominee'23

What do you have to do for the first round?

1) Anyone who satisfies the conditions can enter the first round.

2) Submit five to eight digital images up to and including 15 August 2025. You can upload these images at the digital application form.

3) Write a brief commentary on the works you are submitting (no more than 100 words).

4) Briefly describe your own, work-related interests (no more than 100 words).

You can only participate in the second round if you are invited based on your entry for the first round.

Click here for the terms and conditions and procedure for the first round

Video - Interview Bobbi Essers - winner 2023

Watch the video below and find out how important the award is to Bobbi Essers.

History of the Royal Award

The Award was instituted in 1871 by HM King William III as a Royal Subsidy for Modern Painting.

After King William III, Queen Emma, Queen Wilhelmina, Queen Juliana and Queen Beatrix developed this incentive award into a tradition of royal attention to painting. King Willem-Alexander has continued this tradition since 2013.

This makes the Royal Award one of the oldest art awards in the Netherlands. The Award has been awarded to leading artists such as: Jan Toorop (1887), Jan Sluijters (1904), Jan Dibbets (1974), Natasja Kensmil (1998), Raquel van Haver (2018), Bobbi Essers (2023). See the list of winners from 2011 - 2025

Public Prize

A public prize is attached to the exhibition. Visitors can vote for their favorite work. The work that has received the most votes is raffled among those who voted for it. The costs (maximum € 3,000 encl. VAT) are reimbursed by the Royal Palace Amsterdam. If the value of the work exceeds the available amount or the work cannot be transferred for any other reason, an alternative will be offered in consultation with the artist. The artist will have to make another work available, or execute one specially, for the winner.

Jury

This year the members of the jury are: Marcel van den Berg, Amira Gad, Yasmijn Jarram, Rezi van Lankveld, Mounira al Solh, Ina van Zyl and Mirjam Westen (Chair).

A jury made up of artists, curators, and art critics nominates the award-winners on the basis of the work they have submitted. Three artists are presented a Royal Award by His Majesty the King. A selection of the works submitted for the contest are shown in an exhibition at the Royal Palace. The Royal Palace Amsterdam Foundation is responsible for organizing the Royal Award program.

Winners 2025

the King presented the 2025 Award to Taqwa Ali, Eniwaye Oluwaseyi en Lieve Hakkers. More information on the winners can be found here.

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