open call 2027

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

Submit your work from 1 July up to 31 August 2026 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 February to March 2027.

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 Dominic van den Boogerd (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 2027 may apply for an award. Furthermore, artists must be aged 24 or above on 1 January 2027, 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 22 september 2026.
• The second round will take place on 6 and 7 October 2026.
• The award ceremony and opening of the exhibition at the Royal Palace Amsterdam take place in February 2027. The dates might be subject to change.

"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 31 August 2026. 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 (1964), Natasja Kensmil (1998), Raquel van Haver (2018), Bobbi Essers (2023). See the list of winners from 2011 - 2026.

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 incl. 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 en Dominic van den Boogerd (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 2026

The King presented the 2026 Award to Gideon van Gameren, Lorian Gwynn, Dion Rosina. More information on the winners can be found here.

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