Articulation Prize England Guidelines
1. About the Articulation Prize England
The Articulation Prize is a nationally acclaimed annual event promoting the appreciation and discussion of art. The Prize engages post-GCSE students aged between 16 to19 in full-time education with art, regardless of background or experience, and develops their confidence and ability to express their opinions, thoughts and ideas. Each student delivers a ten-minute illustrated presentation to an audience about a work of art, artefact or architecture of their choice. Adjudicators then assess each presentation as a whole, looking at content, structure, delivery, the originality of the speaker’s approach and unique potential.
In 2025, regional heats and finals will be held in museums and galleries across the country. Schools and colleges in London and in the South of England (excluding schools and colleges in Devon and Cornwall) are asked to submit an online application before Monday 30 September 2024. Schools in other regions are asked to submit an online application before Monday 21 October 2024. In November, all applications will be processed and speakers allocated either a Regional heat or final venue, depending on location and preferences. All Regional heats and finals will be held between January and March 2025.
A student will be selected from each regional final to speak at the Articulation Prize Grand Final in London. The Grand Final is open to all 16 to 19-year-old students, and encourages debate and engagement with the arts. Limited travel bursaries are available to schools and colleges.
2. What does taking part involve for my school / college?
You will need to hold an internal heat to select a student speaker to represent your school or college. The speaker will then attend a regional heat and/or regional final with other speakers from your area. If your speaker is selected as the first prize winner by the adjudicator at a regional final, they will go on to present again at the Grand Final.
In the autumn term, state schools and colleges can also attend an optional free-of-charge Discovery Day at a museum or gallery to introduce them to Articulation. These will take place across the country and provide opportunities for as many young people as possible, at a location to suit them. Online mentoring sessions will also be available to students with little or no experience of public speaking.
3. Internal school / college heats
Schools / colleges and other educational institutions are required to organise an internal heat, the winner of which is chosen to represent them at a Regional heat or Regional final. Articulation will supply material to support the event, including helpful hints for teachers, best practice guidelines, and Articulation certificates.
The benefits of participating in the Articulation Prize include developing public speaking and presentation skills, research and essay skills, knowledge and confidence, critical analysis, and original thought. Many students use their research towards the Personal Studies and essay aspect of their Art A-Level. Participation can also contribute to Arts Award Silver and Gold Awards, towards academic accreditation including the EPQ and can be included on university applications and references.
Short films of past talks are available to view on our Articulation YouTube channel.
4. Regional heats and finals
One speaker from each school or college who has participated in the internal heat can be entered for a Regional heat/Regional final. Please be aware that the name of the speaker, the title of their talk and PowerPoint presentation will be required by the end of the autumn term for January heats and by the mid/end of January for February heats, but earlier nominations are welcome.
Due to high demand in London, schools and colleges from this area are required to compete in Regional heats, where an independent adjudicator will select one or two speakers from each heat to go through to a London final/s. Schools and colleges in the South of England (except from The Box, Plymouth) are also required to take part in Regional heats, where an independent adjudicator will select speakers from each heat to go through to the South of England final.
Additional regional heats may also need to be organised, depending on demand. Should this be the case, Articulation will advise all schools and colleges who have applied to take part in the Prize and update this information on the National Gallery website.
5. Joining an audience
Schools and colleges are encouraged to bring an audience of students (Year 9 and above) and staff to the regional events. Places at some venues are limited, however, and schools / colleges will be notified of places available in advance. Educational institutions not participating are most welcome to bring their students to any of the Articulation events, but booking is essential.
Most Articulation venues offer tours of their exhibitions prior to the Articulation events. These tours are private tours especially for Articulation Prize schools and colleges and are planned especially for this initiative, often with key staff from host venues. Please keep Articulation informed about your attendance for these tours.
6. Selection and Prizes
Adjudicators will select a first, second and third prize winner in each Regional final. The first prize speaker from each Regional final will go on to give their talk at the Articulation Grand Final.
Winning Articulation Prize 2025 Grand Finalists will be awarded first prize £300, second prize £200, and third prize £100. All Articulation Prize participants are invited to join the Articulation Alumni Network.
7. Articulation Prize Grand Final
All schools and colleges are invited to attend the Articulation Prize Grand Final regardless of candidates’ selection. Schools and colleges who have a Grand Finalist will automatically be allocated five spaces for the Grand Final. All educational institutions can register to attend and bring up to five guests (students, staff family and supporters) to the Grand Final.
This day is designed to engage 16 to 19-year-old students in looking at, and talking about, art and architecture. The day includes:
- Tours of venue led by venue staff
- A light sandwich lunch for students and teachers
- Articulation Grand Final presentations with guest adjudicator.
The Grand Final is free to students and their teachers but a late cancellation fee of £50 applies for any school cancelling two weeks prior to the event or not turning up on the day. Booking is essential. Limited travel bursaries are available to schools and must be applied for at the time of booking.
8. How to apply
As a result of increasing demand in London and in the South of England, we are bringing the application deadline forward in those regions to help with our planning and to ensure that all participants have the best possible experience. Applications to participate in the Articulation Prize close on Monday 30 September 2024 for schools in London and in the South of England (excluding schools and colleges in Devon and Cornwall); and on Monday 21 October for schools in other regions. Please apply online to register your school’s or college's participation in the 2025 Articulation Prize.
The form will register both your internal heat and your entry to the Articulation Prize. Your school or college is guaranteed five places at the Grand Final if your student is selected as a Grand Finalist. We welcome schools and colleges to come to the Grand Final regardless, but please register for this event separately - more information will be sent to you in the autumn term.
- Please note that no refund will be given for the registration fee after the closing date for the competition entries has passed (Monday 21 October 2024). Prior to this date, please contact us if you are no longer able to take part.
9. Registration fees
Schools and colleges from the independent sector will be taken through to a payment portal. The registration fee includes a Teachers’ Support Pack, as well as participation in an Articulation heat, and the opportunity to attend the Grand Final. Grand Finalists schools will be automatically guaranteed five spaces for their teacher, finalist and three other students.
Schools from the state-maintained sector:
- Registration to the Prize is free for schools that have taken part previously and to schools new to the Prize.
- Schools new to the Prize will receive a £50 bursary to spend on art materials or books.
- A limited number of bursaries are available to those schools that would otherwise not be able to afford travel costs. If you think that your school may be eligible, please register first, then contact us.
Schools and colleges from the independent sector
- For all independent schools, a registration fee of £200 applies.
- Please note that no refund will be given for the registration fee after the closing date for the competition entries has passed (Monday 21 October 2024). Prior to this date, please contact us if you are no longer able to take part.
10. Dates for regional heats and finals
London Regional Heats
The Lightbox, Woking - Thursday 9 January 2025, 1.30-4.30pm
Dulwich Picture Gallery - Tuesday 14 January 2025, 2-5pm
The Courtauld Institute of Art, Vernon Square - Monday 20 January 2025, 10am-1pm
The Courtauld Institute of Art, Vernon Square - Monday 20 January 2025, 2-5pm
Dartmouth House, home of the English-Speaking Union - Thursday 23 January, 10am-1pm
Dartmouth House, home of the English-Speaking Union - Thursday 23 January, 2pm-5pm
Regional Finals
Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry - Wednesday 29 January 2025, 2-5pm
The Hub, Sleaford - Thursday 30 January 2025, 2-5pm
The Box, Plymouth - Tuesday 4 February 2025, 2-5pm
New Art Centre, Salisbury - Thursday 6 February 2025, 10am-1pm
New Art Centre, Salisbury - Thursday 6 February 2025, 2-5pm
Folkestone Quarterhouse, Folkestone - Thursday 13 February 2025, 2-5pm
MK Gallery, Milton Keynes - Thursday 13 February 2025, 2-5pm
Leeds Art Gallery, Leeds - Tuesday 25 February 2025, 1 - 4pm
The Whitworth, Manchester - Wednesday 26 February 2025, 1-5pm
Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, Norwich - Thursday 27 February 2025, 2-5pm
Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle - Wednesday 5 March 2025, 2-5pm
London Final
V&A, London - Tuesday 11 March 2025, 2-5pm
Southern Final
Ashmolean Museum, Oxford - Thursday 13 March 2025, 1.30-4.30pm
Grand Final
British Library, London - Tuesday 25 March 2025, 1-5pm