The Observer Anthony Burgess Prize for Arts Journalism:

The Observer Anthony Burgess Prize for Arts Journalism is a writing competition which aims to encourage new journalistic talent. The competition is currently open for entries.

The prize remembers the writer Anthony Burgess and his 30 years of work as an arts writer for the Observer newspaper, which was recognised when he was named Critic of the Year at the British Press Awards.

The Observer Anthony Burgess Prize is intended to reward new writers. If you are already an established writer, this is not the competition for you.

The winning entry — for a review of up to 800 words — could be a review of an exhibition, a live concert, a book, a broadcast on television, radio or the internet, or any other artistic work which provides an opportunity for you to write a lively and thoughtful piece. There is no restriction on the art-form to be reviewed.

The judges for 2026 are Anna Leszkiewicz, the arts editor of the Observer, Andrew Biswell, director of the Anthony Burgess Foundation, and Susannah Clapp, the Observer’s theatre critic.

You have until the end of February 2026 to submit your entry. The first prize will be £3000, along with publication in the Observer. Two runners-up will receive £500 each.

Browse these pages to learn more about the prize and how to enter for 2026.

Pictured: Anuj Mishra (2025 runner-up), Richard Pound (2025 winner), Damien Le-Hoste (2025 runner-up)

Useful tips | Previous winners | Entry criteria | Terms and conditions | Enter the Prize now

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