Sixth RBSA Photography Prize to be opened by ‘the Godfather of Black British Photography’ Vanley Burke at a Private View on Thursday 27 February 2025 6.00pm – 8.00pm
RBSA Photography Prize 2025
The sixth biennial Royal Birmingham Society of Artists (RBSA) Photography Prize opens on Thursday 27 February with a Private View, open to everyone, from 6.00pm – 8.00pm. Vanley Burke, known as the ‘Godfather of Black British Photography’, will be opening the exhibition and will also be selecting one photographer to hold a solo show at the RBSA Gallery in 2026. Other prizes to be awarded include a first prize of £1000, sponsored by The Galliard Apsley Partnership, £500 second prize sponsored by Judd Medical, the Anne Judd Award for third prize of £250, and a student prize of £250. The exhibition will take place at the RBSA Gallery on Brook Street in Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter from 27 February until Saturday 22 March.
Almost 150 entries came from all around the world from both established and emerging artists, whose practices are rooted in an enormous variety of photographic processes. The selection panel we delighted to find that submissions covered both contemporary and traditional approaches to the medium, the works to be exhibited were selected based on the quality and interest of each piece.
This 2025 exhibition was selected by:
- Sebah Chaudhry – Trustee at the Royal Photographic Society
- Nicholas Priest – Lecturer in Photography at Birmingham City University
- Verity Milligan – Award-winning photographer
Since its first introduction in 2015, the RBSA Photography Prize has grown significantly, attracting increased submissions with each exhibition held. Expanded for the second time to fill both floors at the RBSA Gallery, the 2025 show is a true celebration of photography. This year’s exhibition is also the second to be held since the decision was made to admit photography as an accepted artform into the Society in October 2022.
The exhibition runs from Thursday 27 February 6.00pm – Saturday 22 March 5.00pm