Women in Art Fair founder Jacqueline Harvey is calling out the shocking gender inequality in the arts in what she describes as ‘a spirit of protest’, as she announces the format and initiatives for Women in Art Fair 2025.

Carving out a bespoke space in the art world calendar away from its previous more congested Frieze Week slot, the Fair will now take place 19-21 June at gallery@oxo on London’s South Bank, with a format to suit the site.

This year, the Open Call section will be the priority. Last year saw work by approximately 200 women artists and those identifying as women, with 170 of those selected from an Open Call application of 2000. The high profile talks programme broadened the audience to reach even more collectors and art world figures, helping drive forward the Fair’s fundamental remit to nurture women artists and support their career development.

London, UK. 11 October 2023. A general view of visitors at the opening reception at the inaugural Women in Art Fair at Mall Galleries. Credit: Stephen Chung for Women in Art Fair

New Women in Art Fair Prize

This year, Open Call applicants will automatically be entered for the inaugural Women in Art Fair prize, which will be announced on the opening night of the Fair. A 1st prize of £1500, 2nd prize of £750 and 3rd prize of £400 will be awarded to the artists that the selection committee believe most deserve financial support for their ongoing practice.

Why the Women in Art Fair matters

Fair founder Jacqueline Harvey says: “Women artists: your time is now!” She continues: “Three years ago, we founded Women in Art Fair, an initiative dedicated to redressing the gender imbalance in the art industry. Our mission has been clear from the start: to create a positive global platform from which female artists, curators and gallerists are given an opportunity to show their
work and contribute to the developing exchange of ideas around gender, sexuality and culture. As we announce our 2025 edition, this mission is more vital than ever. Only 3.3% of all auction sales between 2008-2022 were works of art by women. Women make as little as 10% of the earnings of male artists. The median price of artwork sold by women artists is 47.6% lower than their male counterparts.

This was, and remains, unacceptable. So, we open our 2025 edition in a spirit of protest, in a desire to claim an equal space for women in the universe of creators, to gain just recognition for this whole sector of artists whose work is currently so undervalued.
Women’s rights, whether in the workplace or over our own bodies, are increasingly challenged. At WIAF, we respond to that challenge with energy, with mutual support and with visibility, offering a space where their art, their creativity, can be seen and can stand for all women. As we continue to fulfil our mission, we invite you to join us. In a world where women’s art is overlooked, we offer a transformative space where their creativity takes centre stage – where representation and value are celebrated and championed.”

A view of the second Women in Art Fair, October 2024, Mall Galleries

More details

Deadline for entry: Friday March 25, midnight

Exhibition dates: 19 – 21 June

Exhibition venue: gallery@oxo , Oxo Tower Wharf, Barge House St, London SE1 9PH

Artists can enter this call via the OLIST