Junior Bermuda Biennial accepts any medium and encourages original work by artists aged five to 17; submissions close July 19
Media Release:
The Junior Bermuda Biennial is a new addition to the Bermuda Biennial – the Bermuda National Gallery’s flagship exhibition, which has been running for over three decades.
The Junior Bermuda Biennial provides our youngest artists with a national platform and encourages them to push the boundaries of their creativity. It is a free, open submission, internationally juried exhibition which showcases the next generation of artists (aged 5 to 17).
Applications must be submitted online by July 19, 2026.
The exhibition will be on display at the Bermuda National Gallery from November 2026 through Spring 2027.
This year, we are thrilled to welcome back 2024’s juror Molly Bretton. She is the Director of Outside In, a UK-based organization providing a platform for artists who encounter significant barriers to the art world due to health, disability, social circumstance, or isolation.
In her previous role as Head of Learning at the Royal Academy of Arts (RA) in London, Molly was instrumental in establishing the RA’s Young Artists Summer Show, an open submission exhibition for UK students. Now in its eighth year, it serves to champion the importance of art in education, celebrate teachers fostering creativity in children, and showcase the breadth and quality of work being produced by young people across the country.
In 2017, Molly won a Marsh Award for Excellence in Gallery Education for her work in accessible and inclusive arts education.
Artworks will be selected based on originality, unique imagination and technical skill. We want to see children’s own imagination, not other people’s. Artists should avoid characters created by others such as those in comics, films or cartoons. Artworks which have been copied from existing artworks will not be accepted.
We are looking for a wide variety of artwork. These can be in any medium – from drawing to painting, printing, photography, video, textiles, digital art, sculpture, or a combination of mediums. There is no set theme and there is no size limit.
Please note, not all submitted artworks will be selected for the final exhibition.
2024 Junior Bermuda Biennial
Submissions for the 2026 Junior Bermuda Biennial are fully online. Artists can submit up to three pieces created within the last two years by uploading digital images of their work. The submission form requires the title, year completed, medium and size for each artwork. Artists are also asked to include an artist statement.
An artist statement provides insight into the inspiration and process behind your work, helping both the juror and viewers connect with your art. We recommend writing 2-3 sentences (up to 60 words). Additional tips on writing an artist statement can be found in the Application Guidelines.
Parents or teachers may submit on behalf of the artist, but we kindly ask that the artist’s own words and language be used.
All applications must be submitted by Sunday, July 19, 2026.
Key Dates:
Sunday, July 19: Applications close (midnight).
Monday, August 31: Artists will be notified by this date whether or not they
have been selected for the exhibition.
Friday, October 9 – Saturday, October 10: Selected artworks to be dropped
off at the Gallery. These should be delivered unframed.
Saturday, November 7: Preview reception for exhibiting artists and BNG members. Details and RSVPs will be sent out closer to the date.
Tuesday, November 10: The 2026 Junior Bermuda Biennial opens to the public.
Looking for inspiration? You can explore the 2024 Junior Bermuda Biennial archived online, and see some of the work of other young artists!
Young artists are encouraged to visit the Bermuda National Gallery for free and explore the galleries, where they can be inspired by the diverse range of mediums and styles on display. Complimentary BNG Kids activity booklets for ages 7-10 and 11-14 are available in the Gallery and can also be accessed at www.bng.bm. Free tours for camp groups can be booked online.
