Are you a student of art or design studying in Leicestershire or Rutland?
Here's your chance to showcase your work and win big.
IT IS FREE TO ENTER.
Winning the LSA Student Award allowed me to exhibit professionally which boosted my networking skills, improved my confidence in submitting work, and ultimately resulted in an exhibition at an established London Gallery.
Tiffany Tangen, Past Award Winner
PRIZES
The award winner will receive a cheque of £500, and two runners-up will each receive £100 and have the opportunity to exhibit their works at an exhibition to be held in the Atrium of the Leicester Gallery at De Montfort University.
Winning this prestigious award will elevate the standing of the winners within the arts community.
ELIGIBILITY
You can apply for the LSA Student Award 2027 if you are a student on a foundation, undergraduate or postgraduate degree course at a college or university in Leicestershire and Rutland during the 2026 calendar year.
ENTRY PROCEDURE | ROUND ONE
Enter up to three artworks.
In the first round of the competition, you must submit digital images of your art and complete the entry form (see below) providing details about yourself, your work, and the course you are enrolled in.
Application portfolio
We require you to create an application portfolio document using any suitable programme or app you are familiar with (e.g., Word, Google Docs, PowerPoint, Keynote). However, before uploading it, you must save the document as a PDF file. Importantly, we ask you to name this document using the following format: last name-first name.
You are required to submit one image per page. Make the images nice and big so our judges can see clearly. If you wish to present different vantage points (beneficial to view 3D works), you may submit more than one photograph of a work. Add a short caption under each image (e.g., title/entry 1) so each image is identified. Include a supporting statement on a separate page in the application portfolio telling us about you and your work.
When ready to start the application process, click the red button found at the bottom of this page. Follow the guide, register your information and receive a password to complete the submission.
WHAT TYPES OF ARTWORK ARE ACCEPTED?
2D or 3D artwork in any form or medium
CLOSING DATE | ROUND ONE
Sunday, 29th November at 23:59.
A Shortlist of entries will be selected from the digital submissions by a panel of LSA Council Members.
ROUND 2 | SHORT LISTED ENTRANTS
The names of the shortlisted students will be announced on the LSA website on Friday, 8th January 2027.
Shortlisted students will be invited to submit
their original works to the Atrium at the Leicester Gallery by midday on the morning of Monday, 1st February 2027 and to arrange collection of works on Sunday, 7th March 2027.
EXHIBITION
Short-listed entries will be showcased at the LSA Student Award Exhibition which will run from Saturday, 6th February 2027 until Saturday, 6th March 2027.
AWARD WINNERS
The winners of the LSA Award 25/26 will be announced at a VIP Preview Event commencing at 6:30pm, Friday, 5th February 2027.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We would like to extend our gratitude to the Leicester Gallery and DMU for their assistance and generous support in showcasing the LSA STUDENT AWARD 2027.
KEY DATES
SUNDAY, 29th NOVEMBER 2026 AT 23:59
Online registration and application closes.
FRIDAY, 8th JANUARY 2027
Shortlisted students are to be announced on the LSA website.
MONDAY, 1st FEBRUARY 2027
Shortlisted students to submit works for exhibition and selection of winning entries.
THURSDAY, 4th FEBRUARY 2027
Preview event and presentation of awards.
SATURDAY, 6th FEBRUARY 2027
Exhibition to open to the public.
SATURDAY, 6th MARCH 2027
Close of exhibition.
SUNDAY, 7th March 2027
Collection of Works 12 noon - 1 pm