The Creativity’s Prize (Creativity’s UK Award) is our award for artists and other creative people. We started it in 2019 to recognise individuals and groups who are doing new and important work in the arts.
The prize is awarded every month. This allows us to keep up with how creativity is always changing and to spot new ideas as they emerge. Over the years, it has become a well-respected award in the creative industry.
Awarding the Prize
We present the prize at major cultural events. This is an important part of how we connect with the arts community, both in the UK and internationally.
Highlight: Ceremony at the Joint Romford & Eurasian Film Festival (June 2025)
In June 2025, the Creativity’s UK Award ceremony was hosted on the main stage of a major collaborative event: the 7th Annual Eurasian Film Festival, held in official partnership with the acclaimed Romford Film Festival. This joint festival brought together filmmakers, artists, and industry leaders from over 23 countries, creating a vibrant hub of cross-cultural exchange in London.
During the ceremony, Maria Bregman, Head of Jury for the Creativity’s Prize, presented a special honour to Marat Akhmedjanov, head of the Silk Road Media holding, for his outstanding contribution to international cultural collaboration. The presentation of our award at such a significant joint event, supported by both the Eurasian Creative Guild (ECG) and the Romford Film Trust, affirms our mission to celebrate leaders who bridge cultural divides through the arts.
Since its inception, the Creativity’s Prize has grown in stature, evolving from a small recognition program to a global platform celebrating outstanding achievements in literature, visual arts, performing arts, design, and digital media. The award reflects the dynamic nature of creativity, constantly adapting to new trends and emerging forms of expression.
AWARD Highlights
- Participation: Free of charge
- Grand Prize: £1,500 professional commission for a new artwork
- Jury Chair: Maria Bregman (Internationally recognised critic, full bio on Wikipedia)
- Key Expert: Naomi Pullan (Creative Director with 11 years at COS, H&M Group)
The monthly prize is the first tier of a highly competitive annual system. Each of the twelve monthly winners is automatically shortlisted as a finalist for the prestigious Annual Creativity’s Prize, where one overall laureate is selected as the ‘Winner of the Year’.
Selection Panel/Judges
Our selection process is conducted by a combination of high-profile, internationally recognised jury leaders and our core in-house editorial committee, ensuring a comprehensive and fair evaluation.
Distinguished Jury Leaders
- Maria Bregman – Head of Jury. An internationally recognised art and literary critic, writer, and cultural producer, Maria is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Creativitys.UK. Her work has been published in outlets such as Glamour, Esquire, and Cosmopolitan, and she is a member of the Union of Writers. Her full biography and list of awards can be viewed on Wikipedia.
- Naomi Pullan – An international Creative Director and industry expert, Naomi has over a decade of experience with leading global brands. She is the Creative Director for Vero Moda China and previously spent 11 years at COS (H&M Group), where she was responsible for the brand’s creative direction and art collaborations. Her full professional profile can be viewed on LinkedIn.
Creativity’s UK Editorial Committee
The preliminary review and shortlisting stages are managed by our team of specialist editors and contributors:
- Sarah Bright – Senior Editor. As a core member of the editorial team, Sarah contributes criticism and features across multiple sections, including contemporary art, film, and literature.
- Lana Sterling – Visual Arts Editor. Lana oversees the visual arts criticism for Creativitys.UK, focusing on painting and sculpture.
- Alexander Stone – Architecture & Design Contributor. Alexander provides expert analysis on modernism and urban theory.
- Tessa Nolan – New Media Contributor. Tessa covers the intersection of art and technology, from digital art to AI-driven creative practices.
Prizes
The Creativity’s Prize (Creativity’s UK Award) is a prestigious prize celebrating outstanding artistic achievement.
The winner is selected by our editorial committee, in consultation with invited external experts, in recognition of their exceptional talent and unique creative vision.. The award package includes:
A Strategic Review Session. A confidential, 90-minute one-on-one session with our Editor-in-Chief, Maria Bregman, to discuss the artist’s professional trajectory and strategy within the contemporary art world.
A £1,500 Commission for a New Artwork. The winner is awarded a professional commission of £1,500 to create a new, original work. This commission formally recognises the artist’s standing and facilitates the creation of a new piece, which will be premiered in a dedicated solo exhibition on Creativitys.UK.
Our Judging Criteria
When our judges review an artist’s work, they look for a combination of factors. This is how we ensure the prize is awarded to the most deserving artists.
Originality and Innovation
We look for work that offers a fresh perspective. It might challenge the way things are usually done or introduce a completely new idea.
Impact
Does the work have an effect on its field? Does it influence other artists or add something important to a wider conversation? We value work that makes a real impression.
Technical Skill
This is about the mastery of a chosen medium. Whether it’s painting, writing, choreography, or digital art, we look for a high level of technical ability.
Dedication
The prize recognises sustained effort. We value artists who have a strong track record of producing high-quality work over time, not just a single success.
Relevance
We look for work that connects with the world today. It might reflect a cultural shift, address a social issue, or simply speak to the present moment in a powerful way.
Notable Winners:
- Viktor Drobysh, music producer and composer of the Eastern European music industry. His full biography and list of awards can be viewed on Wikipedia.
- Luba Balagova, award-winning Circassian poet, author, filmmaker and producer. Her full biography and list of awards can be viewed on Linkedin.
- Vasily Smirnov, a portrait painter based in London, who is represented by the prestigious Belgravia Gallery.
- Evgenii Gruzdev, a portrait artist also represented by Belgravia Gallery, has achieved commercial success in London.
The competition is divided into several categories:
- Best work in drawing techniques
- Best work in digital art
- Best work in literature
- Best work in photography
- Best work in Performing arts
- Best work in watercolour technique
- Best work in sculpture technique
- Best work in contemporary painting technique
- Best work in fashion and design
Eligibility:
UK and international artists aged 18 years and over. Two dimensional works in any painting, drawing or print media, photography, digitally created works, artistic manipulations or any form of 3D work are eligible to enter.
All work of an offensive or inappropriate nature will be immediately disqualified from the contest.
The work you submit must be your original creation. We will not accept works that are direct copies of other artists’ work (this does not apply to artistic interpretations).
Your Application Checklist
To apply, please prepare the following materials. Following these guidelines ensures we can review your work fairly and efficiently.
1. Your Portfolio
- Submit up to five pieces of your recent work.
- For each piece, please provide the following details:
- Title
- Year it was made
- Technique and materials used
- Dimensions
- A short description (1-2 sentences) of the work.
2. Your Artist Statement
- Write a short statement (maximum 500 words) about your work.
- Tell us about your artistic vision and what you aim to achieve.
3. Your Artist Bio
- Briefly outline your background, any training you’ve had, and key moments in your artistic journey.
4. Your Contact Information
- Include your name, email, and phone number.
- You can also add links to your social media profiles if you wish.
Formatting Your Submission
- Theme: All submitted work must fit the theme of “Innovation in Arts.”
- File Format: We accept PDF, JPEG, or MP4 files.
- File Size: The total size of your submission cannot be more than 5MB.
- Original Work: Please only submit your own work. We cannot accept images that have watermarks or are copyrighted by someone else.
- Photos: Send clear, high-quality photos of your arts work. Please photograph your work against a plain background.
Rights and Usage:
- By participating, you agree that Creativity’s UK has the right to use your submission for promotional purposes.
- You retain the copyright to your work.
Disqualification:
– Plagiarism or any form of cheating will result in disqualification.
– Entries that do not comply with the guidelines will be rejected.
How to Apply for The Creativity’s Prize
We invite talented artists, both from the UK and internationally, aged 18 and over, to submit their work for consideration. There is no fee to enter.
The Nomination Process
Entry to the prize is selective. To be considered, an artist must first be nominated by a recognised professional body. This could be an arts organisation, a commercial gallery, or a respected curator.
This step is important. It ensures that every artist we review has already earned a level of professional recognition in the arts community.
How to Submit Your Work
Once an artist is nominated, their application must be sent by email to: [email protected]
Please follow these steps so we can review your work properly:
- First, read the full ‘Eligibility’ and ‘Materials’ guidelines on our website.
- Use this exact format for your email subject line:
Creativity’s UK Award Application – [Your Full Name] – [Category]
(For example: Creativity’s UK Award Application – Jane Doe – Digital Art) - Attach your files as described in the guidelines. Please check the file size limits.
The deadline is 11:59 PM (GMT) on the 25th of each month. If your application arrives after this time, we will consider it for the following month.
Our Four-Stage Review
We have a careful process to make sure every application is reviewed fairly.
Stage 1: The Admin Check
Our team first checks that your application is complete and meets the eligibility rules. Incomplete applications will not move to the next stage.
Stage 2: The Longlist
Next, our internal committee of arts professionals reviews the work. They look for originality, technical skill, and impact. This group creates a longlist of the most promising artists in each category.
Stage 3: The Shortlist
The longlisted applications are then assessed in greater detail by specialist reviewers and members of our jury. From this review, they select the final shortlist. We will notify all shortlisted artists by email. At this point, we may ask some artists for a brief online interview to help with the final decision.
Stage 4: Final Judging
The full judging panel reviews all shortlisted artists. They study the work, review notes from earlier stages, and discuss the entries together. The panel chooses the winners by consensus. Their decision is final. Because of the number of entries we receive, we cannot offer feedback on individual applications.
Support for Our Winners
Winning the prize provides visibility and can help build your career. We support our winners by:
- Promoting their work to our network of gallerists, collectors, and media contacts.
- Offering guidance on things like portfolio development and how to approach galleries.
- Helping them connect with industry leaders and established artists where possible.
The award gives artists a strong endorsement. For example, the artist Evgenii Gruzdev, who is represented by London’s Belgravia Gallery, found that recognition from us helped strengthen his position in a competitive market.
A note on exhibitions: We cannot promise you a show at a major gallery, as these institutions have their own selection processes. However, winning our prize gives your profile a real boost when you approach them. The artist Kate Karp, for instance, used the exposure from her win to secure new exhibitions and attract serious interest from collectors.
As Featured In / Press
Creativitys.UK and The Creativity’s Prize have been acknowledged by various media outlets. We are proud of the recognition our platform and initiatives receive.
ELLE Romania: ELLE Romania highlighted Creativitys.UK for its commitment to showcasing emerging international talent.. (Published: 31 march 2025). “The Creativity UK Award for Early 2025
Maria Bregman, Editor-in-Chief of Creativity.UK and Chairperson of the Premier Creativity UK. In her capacity as a renowned art critic, curator and producer with extensive experience in analysing contemporary art, music and literature, Maria discusses the award and the 2025 Creativity UK Award winner.”
EU Today: In its coverage of the 7th Annual Eurasian Film Festival, held in partnership with the Romford Film Festival, EU Today (published June 4, 2025) featured the presentation of the Creativity’s UK Award. The article highlighted the ceremony on the Romford stage, reinforcing the prize’s respected position within key UK and international cultural events.
The Role of the Creativity’s Prize in the Cultural Ecosystem
The Creativity’s Prize plays a pivotal role in the cultural ecosystem by recognizing exceptional talent and fostering an environment that encourages creative risk-taking.
What Happens After You Win – Making Connections
We help our winners build their careers. Through our partnerships with events like the Romford Film Festival and the Eurasian Film Festival, we connect artists with a wider professional network.
The goal is to raise their profile, both here in the UK and internationally. Many of our past winners report a big increase in interest from galleries and collectors. For them, the award has directly led to new exhibitions and sales.
The Future of the Prize
As art changes, so will the prize. We are committed to keeping up with new movements and technologies to make sure the award always feels relevant.
You can expect to see more digital and interactive media included in the future. We want to recognise new work being done in virtual reality, digital art, and other emerging fields. We believe in celebrating creativity in all its forms.
See a recent winner: Maria Babina, our June 2025 Award winner for fashion. Explore more on the Creativitys blog.
Recent laureates
Read about recent winners of The Creativity’s Prize: the September 2025 winner, Jura Skye’s Woven Music (August 2025) and Maria Babina’s fashion win (June 2025).