Stourbridge Glass Museum – Artefacts of the Future Awards
A Contemporary Glass Acquisition Competition
About the Awards
Stourbridge Glass Museum is delighted to announce the launch of the Artefacts of
the Future Awards, a prestigious new acquisition competition inviting contemporary
glass artists from around the world to submit completed works for consideration to be
added to our permanent collection.
We are seeking exceptional pieces that represent the very best of contemporary
glassmaking. These works will become part of the museum’s story- artefacts that
speak to our time, created by the makers of today for the audiences of tomorrow.
The Prize
Three winning artists will each receive:
£1,000 acquisition prize
A commemorative trophy celebrating their achievement
An official certificate recognising their work as an Artefact of the Future
Award winner
Each winning work will be acquired for the museum’s permanent collection
and displayed in our permanent exhibition with dedicated interpretation
celebrating the artist and their practice.
Important Note: The £1,000 prize is inclusive of all costs, covering materials,
production, and delivery of the finished piece to Stourbridge Glass Museum.
Payment will be made upon receipt and inspection of the work.
Who Can Enter
The competition is open to artists working with glass internationally. We welcome
applications from artists at all stages of their careers- emerging, mid-career, and
established- and we are particularly interested in work that demonstrates originality,
technical skill, and a strong artistic voice.
We encourage submissions across a broad range of styles, techniques, and
approaches, including but not limited to:
Blown glass
Kiln-formed glass
Cast glass
Cold-worked glass
Sculptural glass
Mixed media incorporating glass
The only essential requirement is that glass is a central component of the finished
piece.
What We Are Looking For
The museum’s permanent collection tells the story of glassmaking, past and present.
Through these awards, we want to acquire works that:
Demonstrate excellence in craftsmanship and artistic vision
Reflect contemporary approaches to glass as a creative medium
Will engage and inspire our visitors
Represent the range and diversity of glassmaking techniques today
We are looking for pieces that will become the artefacts of the future- works that
future generations will look back on as defining the glass art of our time.
Submission Requirements
Artists are invited to submit a completed work for consideration. Each submission
must include:
1. Artist biography (max 300 words)
2. Description of the work, including dimensions, materials, techniques, and
any special display requirements (max 500 words)
3. High-quality images of the completed work, showing details and overall
composition
4. Confirmation of delivery logistics, including estimated shipping costs (to be
covered within the £1,000 prize)
Timeline
Submissions open: 01/04/2026
Submission deadline: 01/07/2026
Winners announced: During A Celebration of Glass, the Stourbridge Glass
Festival, hosted on the weekend of 21st August 2026.
Delivery of works: By 21 st September 2026
Display in museum: 1 st October 2026
Awards presentation: During A Celebration of Glass, the Stourbridge Glass
Festival, hosted on the weekend of 21st August
Selection Panel
Entries will be judged by a distinguished panel comprising museum curators,
renowned glass artists, and representatives from the museum’s collections team.
Terms and Conditions
The £1,000 prize is inclusive of all materials, production, and delivery costs.
Payment will be made upon receipt and inspection of the finished work.
The museum reserves the right not to select a winner if no submissions meet
the required standard.
Selected works must be delivered to Stourbridge Glass Museum by the
agreed deadline.
The museum will insure the work once it has been received on site.
Artists retain the copyright of their work; the museum reserves the right to
photograph and reproduce images of the work for promotional and archival
purposes.