LONDON.- Today, the National Portrait Gallery opens the call for entries for the prestigious Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award 2027, supported by headline sponsor, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer. Celebrating contemporary portraiture from around the world, entries are open from Tuesday 22 September 2026 to Tuesday 1 December 2026, to all artists aged 18 and over. Entrants are invited to submit new works that have been completed after 1 January 2025.

The Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award is one of the most important platforms for portrait painters. The highly successful competition aims to encourage artists over the age of 18 to focus upon, and develop, the theme of portraiture in their work. Since its inception, the competition has attracted over 50,000 entries from more than 100 countries, and the exhibition has been seen by over 6 million people.

£35,000 will be awarded to the winner, one of the largest prizes for any global art competition. The second prize winner receives £12,000, and the third prize winner is awarded £10,000. The Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award will also include a Young Artist Award, which will see a prize of £9,000 awarded to an entrant aged between 18 and 30, profiling their talent and supporting the development of their practice.

Full competition rules and guidance for digital submission can be found online at npg.org.uk/hsfkramerportraitaward. The Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award exhibition will be displayed at the National Portrait Gallery from 24 June to 10 October 2027.





“It is always a pleasure to welcome this annual competition back to the Gallery. Now in its 45th year, the Portrait Award continues to attract exceptional artists from all over the world. We’re grateful to the long-standing support of Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer and we look forward to seeing this year’s selection of portraits.” -- Sarah Howgate, Senior Curator, Contemporary Collections, National Portrait Gallery

"We are delighted to once again sponsor the Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award, a great platform for artists, wherever they are in their careers, to showcase their talent and unique perspectives through portraiture. Supporting this important initiative reflects our commitment as a firm to fostering creativity, innovation and connection within our communities." -- Justin D'Agostino MH, Global CEO, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer