If you are planning to submit an artwork into Wildlife Artist of the Year competition, please read the following terms and conditions.
GENERAL
1. David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) is the sole owner of the Wildlife Artist of the Year (WAY) competition.
2. WAY is open worldwide, to amateur and professional artists.
3. By entering WAY 2026 you are agreeing, if shortlisted, to display your artwork at an in-person exhibition (the Exhibition) in London in September 2026 (as per clause 32 to 43 below), with artists being responsible for the cost of delivery to the exhibition, as well as the cost of the collection of unsold works after the Exhibition closes.
4. The competition is open to individual entrants aged 15 years or over by the closing date (24 March 2026). Artists aged between 15 – 19 years old by the closing date are entered into the Youth Exclusive category.
5. Entry to the Youth Exclusive category for young people is £20 per entry. For all other categories, entries are £30 per entry for the first two entries, and £20 per entry thereafter.
6. There is no maximum number of entries but the online entry system will only accept a maximum of ten entries per submission. Thereafter, to continue to qualify for the discounted rate, subsequent entries can be made offline with the help of the DSWF team.
7. Entries must feature work completed within the last five years by the entrants themselves and must be their own original work. Work completed before 24 March 2021 cannot be entered. The artist must be the sole author and owner of the copyright of all artwork entered.
8. Artists using exact reference from another professional artist or photographer will need permission from the copyright owner. Source material and proof of permission to use must be made available if requested by the judges. DSWF accepts no liability in the publication of unlawfully reproduced art.
9. Copyright of the artworks will remain with the artist.
10. DSWF only accepts images of artworks at the competition entry stage, and cannot accept original artwork for entry submissions. DSWF cannot return photographs, memory sticks or CDs sent by post.
11. All artwork entered into the competition must be unsold and available for sale by DSWF during the Exhibition if shortlisted. As standard, if a work is shortlisted and is then unavailable for exhibition and sale it will have to be removed from the competition and no refund will be offered. In exceptional circumstances we accept pre-sold artwork under the guarantee that it can still be displayed in the Exhibition and if DSWF still receives 50% of the sale price.
12. Artists must be prepared and able to ship artwork to the UK for exhibition if selected as a finalist. Further information is in the SALES, ARTWORK DELIVERY AND LIABILITY section below.
13. By entering WAY you agree to grant DSWF a non-exclusive license to reproduce the artwork for any purpose in connection with the competition and the charity including publicity, marketing, fundraising, merchandising and exhibitions, with full credit given to the artist when used. We will never enter into any third party commercial agreements relating to your artwork without your explicit consent.
PRIZES
14. No cash alternative can be offered in lieu of any non-cash prize.
15. Prizewinners are notified at the Awards Ceremony and results are embargoed until then. All results will be posted on davidshepherd.org and on DSWF’s social media after the awards ceremony.
16. The competition is not open to DSWF employees or their families.
CATEGORIES
17. Entries must correspond to one of the eight categories described below. Please note that:
I. Any pieces featuring domesticated animals (e.g. pets, farm animals) as the main feature subject do not fall under the following categories, and therefore will not be considered by the judges
II. Any pieces made from animal products, parts or derivatives such as bone and fur will not be considered suitable for exhibition and therefore will not be considered by the judges
We cannot offer refunds for these entries.
I. Abstract World: This category celebrates interpretation, freedom, and expression. Since the early 1900s, abstract art has played a vital role in shaping modern and contemporary art and remains a foundational pillar of the art world today. DSWF invites artists who choose to express themselves and the wildlife that inspires them non-figuratively, opening the door to pure and raw displays of emotion and perception. This category encourages bold creativity and allows audiences to engage with diverse artistic voices and perspectives.
II. Animal Behaviour: Animals, like humans, have complex personalities and behaviours, and show a wide range of emotion, intellect, and expression. Whether showing incredible skill in seeking food, demonstrating protective instincts for their young, engaging in a unique mating performance, or simply relaxing in the sun, every creature displays individuality and character. The Animal Behaviour category has welcomed artworks that exhibit a true understanding of animal nature, capturing moments that might be humorous, tragic, aggressive, or simply a part of a daily routine.
III. Earth’s Wild Beauty: Our planet is an inspiring tapestry of contrasting habitats and landscapes, providing homes to a host of different animals, plants, trees, and insects. Humans share this planet with a huge variety of species, and every day moments of beauty occur as the land and wildlife living within it adapt to survive the extremes of nature. The Earth’s Wild Beauty category is a celebration of Earth’s wild landscapes and seascapes, and all that live in them.
IV. Environmental Artivism: This category enables artists to use their platform to share creativity and thoughts on the issues facing wildlife in this Anthropocene. This category invites honest discussion and the ability to shed light, unpack, and determine some of the more pressing environmental topics of our time. It can also be a celebration of how art can be used as a positive tool for effective and emotive communication. We invite the thinkers, the feelers, and the activists to share their personal insights on what is happening to our natural world and our effect upon it, both good and bad.
V. Facing Extinction: Today, the world is facing its next mass extinction, with hundreds of species across the planet vanishing from the face of the earth before our very eyes. Whether driven by habitat destruction, wildlife crime, human-wildlife conflict, pollution, climate change, or disease, the growing challenges facing many of these incredible creatures could mean that if we don’t end extinction, our last chance to see them will be on canvas or immortalised in sculpture. The Facing Extinction category invites artists to celebrate these vulnerable species by capturing their importance in striking imagery. They may be gone tomorrow if we do not act today.
VI. Into the Blue: Covering 75% of our planet and essential to all life on Earth, fresh water and salt water are home to some of the most unusual, diverse, mysterious, and incredible creatures. Due to pollution, particularly plastic, our oceans are struggling to support life. The Into the Blue category features artworks that illustrate the wonderful world of water – be it ocean, seashore, wetland, river, or stream – and the incredible animals and landscapes within it.
VII. Wings: The wonderful world of winged creatures is diverse, complex and fascinating. Birds, bees, butterflies and bats all experience the planet from a different perspective, soaring above our oceans, crossing vast desert plains, and making their homes in unusual locations. The Wings category shows the extraordinary variety of winged wildlife on our planet, including birds and insects, in flight or at rest.
VIII. Youth Exclusive (for artists aged 15 – 19 years): This category is dedicated to young artists whose work aligns with and reflects the voice of a new generation. Capped at 19-years-old, this is a group who will include new emerging art professionals as well as strong amateur talent. Young artists are invited to create something true to the essence of their vision, specifically reflecting the natural world, where the power of art can be shown from either a human impact and awareness perspective, or the simple desire to illustrate something beautiful and raw. We want young people to open their hearts and minds to what it is to be a courageous new youth art ambassador for wildlife.
JUDGING
18. An independent panel of judges, to include artists, art professionals, and conservationists, will be chosen by DSWF. The judging process will take place in three stages.
19. The judges will accept any medium, excluding photography and digital drawing/painting but including original prints. For the purpose of this competition, an original print is a print either in black and white or in colour, drawn from one or several plates, conceived and executed entirely by hand by the same artist, regardless of the technique employed, with the exclusion of any and all mechanical, digital or photomechanical processes. Every stage must have been completed by hand by the artist. DSWF reserves the right to query artists on exact techniques used.
20. The judges’ decision is final. DSWF judges and organisers are unable to enter into any correspondence with individual artists except in the course of processing entries and administering the Exhibition.
21. A separate judging panel will be formed for the Youth Exclusive category with the winner announced alongside other winners.
22. Only shortlisted finalists will proceed to the Exhibition. Shortlisted finalists will be notified after the second round of judging and will be required to complete an Artist Agreement which specifies terms of sale and delivery requirements.
23. The winners of the competition will be announced at the DSWF Wildlife Artist of the Year Awards Ceremony on Tuesday 8 September 2026. This will be an in-person and online event. All results will then be posted on DSWF’s website at davidshepherd.org and on DSWF’s social media channels.
HOW TO ENTER
24. Entries may be submitted from midday UK time on the 7 January 2026 until the closing date, 11:59pm UK time on 24 March 2026. No entries will be considered after the closing date.
25. Entries will be accepted as high res jpegs (2200 pixels and no larger than a 6MB) entered online at davidshepherd.org from 7 January 2026 or by post using the postal entry form.
26. Artists must not send original artwork when entering the competition.
27. For online entry, please ensure that your image is a still image (and not moving), the file size is a minimum of 2200 pixels and no larger than 6MB. For 3D artworks and sculptures only please include images of up to three different angles. Please label your files carefully.
28. For postal entries you must complete and submit the postal entry form and images of artwork as specified in the form.
29. No other forms of entry will be accepted.
30. No allowance will be made for poor digital images, bad quality photographs or low-resolution videos. If there appears to be an error or issue with any submissions we will contact you.
31. Entries will not be accepted until full payment is made. Payment options are explained at the point of entry.
SALES, ARTWORK DELIVERY AND LIABILITY
For artworks selected for exhibition only:
32. The DSWF Wildlife Artist of the Year 2026 Exhibition will be held at the Mall Galleries, London SW1 between Tuesday 8 September and Saturday 12 September 2026.
33. There will also be an online exhibition, where the finalist artwork can be viewed and purchased remotely. The online exhibition will open on Thursday 27 August 2026 and close on Saturday 12 September 2026.
34. The artist will set the sale price, but DSWF reserve the right to discuss price changes with artists.
35. Shortlisted artists will be asked for a detailed description of the artwork and artist biography for final judging and point-of-sale promotion. DSWF reserves the right to edit these details.
36. Proceeds of the sales made during the period of the online and in-person Exhibition will be split 50%/50% between DSWF and the artist. Thereafter, any sales made as a result of the Exhibition or continued promotion of the piece by DSWF after the Exhibition period (as agreed with artists) will be split 70% artist and 30% DSWF.
37. Sale proceeds resulting from commissions taken at the Exhibition are to be split 70% artist and 30% DSWF.
38. DSWF will manage all sales and payments for artworks and the delivery process to buyers, with the costs of delivery of sold pieces charged to buyers.
39. Delivery to the Mall Galleries prior to the Exhibition and collection of unsold pieces at the end of the Exhibition, including appropriate transport insurance cover and import/export documentation, are the responsibility of the artist.
40. DSWF strongly recommend the use of their logistics partner, Picture Post, to assist with the receipt of artwork for exhibition and the return of unsold pieces. Picture Post will advise on import and export administration and appropriate packaging. All details regarding the services provided by Picture Post will be provided to shortlisted artists.
41. Artwork must be received exhibition ready, i.e. appropriately framed or with a display structure (excluding plinths which are provided).
42. Artwork that does not sell at the Exhibition must be collected from the Mall Galleries within a time that will be specified in the Artist Agreement. Picture Post will be available to assist with this process. Alternatively, the artist can discuss the donation of their artwork in support of DSWF’s conservation work.
43. DSWF cannot accept responsibility or liability for artwork exhibited at or sold at the Exhibition or any damage to it in any delivery process. It is the artist’s responsibility to provide their own insurance for their artwork whilst being transported to and from and exhibited at the Mall Galleries.
For further enquiries please contact the DSWF team on 01483 272323 or email [email protected].
