The Burgess Prize

The Observer/Anthony Burgess Prize for Arts Journalism

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Enter now:

This is the entry page for the 2025 Observer / Burgess Prize for Arts Journalism.

Entries for the 2025 prize launched on 9th June 2024. The winning entry will be an 800-word review of a recently released book, film, album, concert, exhibition, ballet, play, TV show, online stream, performance art piece or anything else that could be covered by a newspaper’s arts review pages.

The word count includes titles, and ‘recently released’ means anything since 1st January 2024. Entries can be from anywhere in the world, but must be written in English.

The closing date is 11.59pm on 28th February 2025. The entry fee is £15, and we also offer a free-entry scheme for entrants on low incomes (scroll down).

A longlist and a shortlist will be announced in Spring 2025. The winner will be announced in May 2025. Please note that due to the volume of entries, unsuccessful entrants will not be notified, but each submission will receive full consideration.

Make sure you read the terms & conditions (opens in a new tab).

Ready to enter?

Have your entry document and your payment details ready. Fill in the form below, upload your entry as requested, and select Submit. Fields marked with a * are compulsory. On submission, you will be redirected to PayPal for payment, after which you can return to our website. You can do this securely even without a PayPal account. The entry fee is £15 per submission. If you wish to submit a postal entry, scroll down for information.

Burgess/Observer Prize entry

Name*
Phone
Email*
Address Line 1*
Address Line 2
City*
Postcode*
How did you hear about the prize?
- Word of mouth
- Burgess Foundation website
- Observer newspaper
- Observer website
- Social media
- Online advert
- Print advert
- Other
Upload your entry*
Accepted file types: doc, docx, xls, xlsx, pdf, rtf, Max. file size: 10 MB.
File types: doc, docx, xls, xlsx, pdf and rtf only. Max file size: 10MB
Price
Price:
Entry fee: £15. You will be directed to Paypal to pay when you submit this form. IMPORTANT: If this page redirects you to PayPal, it means we have successfully received your form. If you are unsure your entry has been received, either click "Return To Merchant" on your final PayPal confirmation page, or email events@anthonyburgess.org.
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Entering by post?

Send your entries to: Observer / Anthony Burgess Prize for Arts Journalism, International Anthony Burgess Foundation, Engine House, 3 Cambridge Street, Manchester, M1 5BY. Enclose a cheque for £15 made payable to International Anthony Burgess Foundation.

Subsidised entries

We want the Observer / Burgess prize to be available to writers from all backgrounds across the world. For this reason, we offer a subsidy scheme for entrants on low incomes, where we cover the £15 cost of entry.

This is done on an honesty basis, so we won’t ask questions about your income. The number of subsidised entries is limited. To enter the Prize using the subsidy, submit your details here and we will be in touch.

Subsidised entry (low incomes)

And finally…

All entrants must be over 18 and we accept international entries, although entries must be in English. By entering the competition you agree to the terms and conditions.

If you have any further questions, please contact us via email: events@anthonyburgess.org.

We look forward to reading your submission, and wish you the best of luck!