The Copley Prize

We have 3 terms, September-December, January-April and May-July.

Depending on the month of the year you submit your work, you will be entered into that term’s draw.

At the end of each term, we choose a Termly Winner, which then become the 3 finalists for the Annual Winner, which is announced at the end of July each year.

Termly winners

This term the winner is:

Lucy from St Luke’s Primary School, Salford

This fabulous Lowry inspired piece is called "The Day of the Stickman Derby". Lucy's piece was entered as part of a project at her school.

The Copley Creative Arts Programme, designed to provide children from Salford’s most deprived areas with a unique multi-art form experience. Through this programme, children explore the artwork of L.S. Lowry—a key figure in British art—and are given the chance to create their own works of art in response.

Since 2014, Lowry has hosted the Copley Prize, kindly supported by Alison and Noel Copley, inviting children aged 7-11 years to submit their own L.S. Lowry-inspired artwork. This annual competition runs over three terms, with one winner selected each term. One overall winner is selected from the three finalists and is celebrated at a special event at Lowry, where their work is displayed alongside the iconic pieces by L.S. Lowry himself. It’s a wonderful opportunity for young artists to showcase their creativity.

In response to the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic we sought to enhance our outreach offering by developing the Copley Creative Arts Programme. This expanded initiative offers children from 10 schools in Salford’s areas of high deprivation and low arts engagement the chance to experience a range of art forms, from visual art to drama and mindfulness.

Through this programme, each school receives:

- 1 x in-school art workshop

- 1 x drama workshop

- 1 x Art and Mindfulness workshop

In addition, children are invited to watch a live performance at Lowry, with all transport costs covered. And, every child who takes part in the programme can achieve Arts Award Discover—an important milestone for young learners exploring creativity for the first time.

You can post your entries to ‘The Copley Prize, The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays, M503AZ’ Please include a note with the following information:

• Name and age of applicant
• Title of work
• Address of applicant
• Name of parent/teacher
• Name of school
• Contact telephone number
• Contact email address

Alternatively you can email a photo or scanned copy of your entry to getcreative@thelowry.com and include the information above. If you email, remember to keep your artwork safe at home in case you win the competition and we request the original to be displayed.

Teachers are invited to submit as many entries as they wish but are limited to one entry per child.

Rules of entry

1. All 4-11 year olds (Key Stage 1 & 2) are eligible to enter.
2. If entry from a school, Teachers are also welcome to submit an entry from more than one child in their class or may choose to submit a piece of work that the whole class has worked on together. Please note however, that we will choose an individual piece of art as the winner and not a group of works.
3. Each drawing or painting should be inspired by the work of LS Lowry.
4. The maximum size for entries is A3 (29cm x 42cm). Unfortunately we cannot accept digital copies of work.
5. You will only be notified if your child is selected as a seasonal or annual winner.
6. The Lowry will be unable to return or keep entries. However, parents or teachers are welcome to arrange collection of work personally providing this is within one month and is clearly requested when submitted.
7. By entering into the competition you agree for the entry to be displayed and used in any associated publicity by The Lowry.
8. The winner agrees to attend The Lowry (by arrangement) in order to receive their prize and take part in any associated publicity.

These resources will help you introduce LS Lowry’s style to your students or children

Remember that Copley Prize entries are to be inspired by, not just copies of Lowry’s work. We can’t wait to see your creations!

Email them to us at getcreative@thelowry.com or post to ‘The Copley Prize, The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays, M503AZ’.

Download resources