Burlington Contemporary Art Writing Prize, awarded annually, seeks to discover talented young writers on contemporary art, with the winner receiving £1000 and the opportunity to publish a review of a contemporary art exhibition in The Burlington Magazine.

Since its founding in 1903, The Burlington Magazine has always considered the art of the present to be just as worthy of study as the art of the past. Burlington Contemporary Art Writing Prize advances the Magazine’s commitment to the study of contemporary art by encouraging aspiring young writers to engage critically with its forms and ideas. The Prize also promotes clear, concise and well-structured writing that is able to navigate complicated territory without recourse to complicated language.

The judges of the 2013 Burlington Contemporary Art Writing Prize are Dexter Dalwood and Daniel Herrmann, assisted by Anne Blood, Ridinghouse Assistant Editor at The Burlington Magazine. Dexter Dalwood is Professor of Fine Art at Bath Spa University and the artist Trustee for the National Gallery, London. He was shortlisted as one of the four nominees for the Turner Prize 2010. A major survey show of his work is forthcoming at the Centre Pasquart, Biel, Switzerland in 2013. Daniel F. Herrmann is the Eisler Curator and Head of Curatorial Studies at Whitechapel Gallery, London. His recent exhibitions include Gillian Wearing, Josiah McElheny: The Past Was A Mirage I’d Left Far Behind and John Stezaker.

Each applicant will be offered a specially reduced online subscription to The Burlington Magazine, providing digital access to all the latest articles and reviews.

Submission requirements

• Applicants must submit one unpublished review of a contemporary art exhibition of no more than 1000 words in length.


• 'Contemporary' is defined as work produced in the last 10 years.


• All submissions must be written in English (although the art considered may be international).


• If possible, low-resolution digital images should be sent to illustrate the review.


• The submitted review should be emailed as a Word document to editorial@burlington.org.uk.


• Applicants must be no older than 30 years of age (proof of age may be required).


• The applicant’s name, age, country of residence and occupation must be clearly stated in the application email.


• We suggest applicants carefully read recent Burlington reviews of contemporary exhibitions for guidance.

Deadline for 2013 Prize: 31st January 2013.

The Prize winner will be announced in April 2013.