REJECTS 2026 - Register Interest

REJECTS Returns: Register Your Interest for the 4th Edition

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We’re excited to announce the fourth edition of REJECTS our much loved exhibition celebrating artworks rejected by the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition.

REJECTS was created to shine a light on the reality many artists face when putting their work out into the world. One of the beautiful things about art is how subjective it is what resonates deeply with one person may not connect with another. This means that when artists submit their work to open calls and competitions, rejection is often part of the journey.

REJECTS is not about challenging the decisions of the Royal Academy. Instead, it highlights how difficult it can be for artists to get noticed and have the opportunity to exhibit their work. With submission numbers for the Summer Exhibition rising to around 18,000 entries for roughly 1,200 places (many of which are taken by Royal Academicians), the chances of selection are incredibly slim.

Our exhibition celebrates the incredible work that didn’t make the final cut, reminding us that rejection doesn’t reflect the quality, creativity, or importance of an artwork.

As artist Jim Vision, who took part in REJECTS 2024, put it:

“Being an artist means taking rejection square in the face, shrugging it off and getting back to creating. I was unsuccessful this year in my submission for the RA Summer Show. I'm sure I don't make that type of art but thought I would give it a go anyway. Thanks to Art Friend for hosting and curating an awesome show, an alternative to the Summer Exhibition and an opportunity to show the artwork that got rejected.”

Growing Momentum

Since launching, REJECTS has gained incredible momentum. The exhibition has attracted significant media attention and resonated with artists across the UK and beyond.

Art Friend founder Shona Bland spoke with Robert Elms on BBC Radio London about how the exhibition began and why it struck such a chord with the creative community.

REJECTS was also featured in:

• The Guardian
• Londonist
• London on the Inside
• The Art Newspaper
• BBC World Service
• The Daily Mail

The exhibition quickly became more than just a show it became a community moment, with visitors proudly wearing their REJECTS pin badges in solidarity.

REJECTS 2025

The momentum continued in 2025, with REJECTS featured on the The Happy Pod from BBC World Service, alongside further coverage on BBC Radio London and a range of press features.

APPLY NOW!

We are now preparing for the fourth edition of REJECTS, and we’d love to hear from artists who may be interested in taking part.

If you’ve submitted work to the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and it didn’t make the final selection then this exhibition is for you.

Because sometimes, rejection deserves its own exhibition.