The Northern Illustration Prize is one part of The Northern Festival of Illustration, a biennial celebration of all that is great about the diverse world of illustration. In 2019 and 2021 The Prize attracted hundreds of entries from 6 continents.

The School and the Festival are based in the historic port town of Hartlepool on the north east coast of England. This summer the town hosts the world-famous Tall Ships Race and to celebrate this and the town’s maritime heritage the theme of the Prize this year is ‘The Sea’.

There are two categories:

Emerging Illustrator

(if you are within the first five years of your illustration career) and

Established Illustrator

(working more than five years as an illustrator).

The Northern Festival of Illustration was founded in 2015 by The Northern School of Art as a major showcase for the talent of illustrators across print, digital, product design and many other fields – aiming to open eyes to the rewarding and diverse careers open to young people. It is supported by Arts Council England with National Lottery funds.