the observer / anthony 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.

Anthony Burgess wrote for the Observer for more than thirty years, and this prize celebrates his connection with the newspaper. He had a wide range of interests, so there is no restriction on the art form featured in your review.

Maybe you’re a journalist, critic or blogger – or none of those. All we ask is you impress us with your best work. Your entry should be a previously unpublished review of up to 800 words on new work in the arts. The winning piece could be about an album, book, concert, exhibition, film, live stream, social media entertainment, or television show, or anything else that offers the opportunity to write a lively and thoughtful piece. We define “new work” in the arts as anything that has happened since 1st January 2024, although some flexibility with that date is fine. The arts world has changed beyond recognition since last year, and we expect to see some entries focusing on the online world of lockdown entertainment.