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  • About

    Damon Brown, Belmont Academy

    About

    The RSA Schools Art Award has been running since 1986 and is considered by teachers to be one of the most prestigious awards made to secondary level pupils in Scotland. There is no overall theme with the emphasis being on skills of technique, observation and interpretation. In particular, the judges award prizes for work which displays creativity and originality. This year's RSA Schools Art Award is once again generously supported by Brodies LLP.

     

    2026 format

    • Entries are submitted digitally via an online form
    • An Awards Ceremony will be hosted in person at Brodies LLP offices in Edinburgh in June
    • A virtual exhibition of winning work will be hosted in an online viewing room from June

     

    Main categories

    • Junior (S1 & S2)
    • Intermediate (S3 & S4)
    • Senior (S5 & S6)
    • Chair's Challange (S5 & S6 only)
  • Awards

    Steffi George, St Crispins School

    Awards

    A panel of judges will award first, second and third prize in each category, with prize values ranging from £50 to £150 in art vouchers. Additionally, Highly Commended Certificates will also be awarded in each category.

     

    The Chair's Challenge  (S5 & S6 only): ‘The Art of the Future’

    • As we celebrate our bicentenary and 200 years of creativity, change and progress, we invite you to imagine what the next 200 years might hold. From this prompt, you can explore how the world may look in the future, considering ideas such as technology, AI, the environment, society, or how people connect and create together. Think about what excites, challenges or inspires you about the future, whether that is something big and bold or small and personal, realistic or imagined. Use your artwork to share your vision of what lies ahead. Prizes valued between £50 and £150.

    New Entrant Awards

    • An award in each category for the best entry from schools that have not participated before, or within the last five years. 
    Brodies Regional Awards:
    • Prizes of between £50 to £150 awarded to the best entry in each category from these regions in Scotland: North West, North East, South

    Brodies Special Eductional Needs Schools Award

    • An award to recognise the exceptional creativity from special educational needs schools. First, second, and third prize awarded in one category: S1-S6.
  • Brodies Inspirational Art & Design Department Award £1,000 award to support the most deserving and inspirational project proposed by an...
    Vanesa Volberga, Dunfermline High School

    Brodies Inspirational Art & Design Department Award

    • £1,000 award to support the most deserving and inspirational project proposed by an Art & Design Department.
    • Many Art & Design Departments have huge potential but limited resources. Imagine what might be possible with an additional £1,000 in the budget? To apply for this award, schools should submit up to 500 words explaining how the £1,000 prize will be used to undertake work that might not otherwise be funded by the local authority or the school. The Judges will be looking for details of how the prize would enhance the curriculum and department; for example, will the prize be used to introduce new art disciplines such as photography or printmaking, fund trips to art exhibitions or bring in a local artist to develop pupils’ creativity?
  • How to enter

    Jumana Ghayyda, Millburn Academy

    How to enter

    • To submit work, teachers must complete this application form online - https://form.jotform.com/RoyalScottishAcademy/rsa-schools-art-awards-2026

    • View guidelines for full details on how to apply

    • Please note the follow key terms and conditions - 

      • Only secondary schools located in Scotland are eligible to enter.
      • Submitted artwork must be carried out by students studying Art & Design in S1-S2, S3-S4 and S5-S6 in the previous calendar year. From April 2025 – March 2026.
      • Students from S1-S4 may only submit 1 entry each into the Main Awards.
      • Students in S5 and S6 may submit an entry for the Main Award, and the Chair’s Challenge (i.e. two entries are possible). These should be separate works.
      • Submitted works must have been completed by a single student.
      • Artwork in any medium is acceptable.
      • Schools may submit up to 10 entries in each award category as jpeg image files.
      • Each image jpeg uploaded must be titled in the following way - Category_ Student Name_School Name – i.e. Senior_Elizabeth Blackadder_Royal Scottish Academy

     

    The final deadline for completing applications is Friday 27 March, 5pm. After this time applications cannot be received or completed. 

     
     
     

  • Banner image: Mae Barr, Campbeltown Grammar School
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