Serpentine Galleries in London and the FLAG Art Foundation in New York have announced a new biennial artist prize that will award £200,000 ($264,700) to five artists, one selected every two years, making it the largest single-artist prize in the United Kingdom. The total payout over the next decade is £1 million ($1.32 million). Each winner will receive a solo exhibition at Serpentine, which will then travel to the FLAG Art Foundation in New York. The prize launches in 2026, with the first exhibition scheduled for fall 2027 in London and spring 2028 in New York. Eligible artists must be actively working, have a strong exhibition record, and no more than 10 years of professional show history. A jury of art historians, curators, and artists will select winners from nominations.
This prize matters because it fills a gap in the U.K. art world by providing substantial, unrestricted funding and international exhibition opportunities to mid-career artists who have not yet received widespread recognition. It also strengthens the transatlantic partnership between Serpentine and FLAG, building on FLAG's existing model of direct artist support through its Suzanne Deal Booth / FLAG Art Foundation Prize. By focusing on overlooked voices and offering a platform for solo shows in both London and New York, the prize could significantly elevate the careers of its recipients and set a new benchmark for artist prizes in the U.K.