The ACS Studio Prize was established in 2017 to help support the next generation of artists after a number of our members spoke of the economic challenges they faced when starting their artistic careers. ACS realises how difficult it is to focus on your art, especially after leaving university and in the recent times of uncertainty. In 2023 ACS joined forces with Gurr Johns, a global independent art advisory and appraisal group, to offer our finalists mentoring opportunities and the chance to take part in a group exhibition, in addition to the winner’s award of £6,000 towards a studio anywhere in the UK.

This year’s judges, Victoria Miro, Melanie Gerlis, Hester Westley and the Chairman of ACS, Harriet Bridgeman, will select the five finalists and the winner from 22 shortlisted artists.

The five finalists will be announced the week beginning 12 August 2025, with the winner announced on 16 September at the ACS Studio Prize x Gurr Johns Exhibition Private View.

Last year, pop artist and Royal Academician Allen Jones, artist and Director of the Royal Academy Schools Eliza Bonham Carter, artist and art patron Rosamond Brown and the Chairman of ACS, Harriet Bridgeman awarded the Prize to Glasgow School of Art graduate Elena Njoabuzia Onwochei-Garcia, a figurative painter and installation artist, who has since gone on to featured in a number of solo and group exhibitions across the UK and EEA and recently completed an artist’s residency at The Paddocks Gallery in Athens.

Sculptor Marco Miehling was awarded the inaugural Prize in 2017 by judges Tim Marlow, Artistic Director of the Royal Academy, and Maggi Hambling CBE. In 2018, painter Rebecca Harper received the Prize from celebrated artists Eileen Cooper RA and Rob & Nick Carter. Artist Cathie Pilkington RA and the Director & Curator of the Ingram Collection, Jo Baring decided to award the prize to Araminta Blue Wieloch. In 2020 ACS members painter Celia Paul, and pioneering contemporary artist Gavin Turk awarded the Prize to multidisciplinary artist Dion Kitson. In 2021, ACS member Paul Huxley RA and Bob and Roberta Smith OBE RA awarded the Prize to University of West England (UWE Bristol) graduate Dorcas Casey. In 2022, renowned artist and ACS member Flora Yukhnovich, founder and curator of the Palazzo Monti, Edoardo Monti awarded the Prize to Royal Drawing School post-graduate David Gardner. In 2023, celebrated YBA and ACS member Mat Collishaw and the Director of Pallant House Gallery, Simon Martin awarded the Prize to Royal Academy Schools post-graduate Clara Hastrup.

Congratulations to all of the artists shortlisted for this year’s ACS Studio Prize:

Elizabeth Abel, Royal College of Art

Kathryn Armitage, Royal College of Art

Camila Barvo, Royal College of Art

Karim Boumjimar, Central Saint Martins

Rachel Coyne, Royal College of Art

Georgia Dymock, Slade School of Fine Art

Lucy Ellerton, Royal College of Art

Harriet Gillett, City & Guilds of London Art School

Lily Hargreaves, Royal College of Art

Eloise Knight, Royal College of Art

Hattie Malcomson, Royal College of Art

Efrat Merin, Royal College of Art

Celia Mora, Royal College of Art

Aysha Nagieva, City & Guilds of London Art School

Anna Pakosz, City & Guilds of London Art School

Connor Phillips, The Ruskin School of Art

Emerson Pullman, City & Guilds of London Art School

Fa Razavi, Middlesex University

Daniel Rey, Central Saint Martins

Afonso Rocha, City & Guilds of London Art School

Sophia Rosenthal, City & Guilds of London Art School

Darcy Whent, Bath Spa University

We look forward to the judges announcing the finalists and winner of the ACS Studio Prize 2025 in due course!