Ten artists and composers have been named the recipients of this year's Paul Hamlyn Foundation Awards for Artists, the British scheme that hands creative people money and asks nothing in return. The winners were announced at an event in central London on Wednesday 4 November.

The five visual artists recognised are Linda Bell, Racheal Crowther, Rory Pilgrim, Georgina Starr and Hayley Tompkins. The five composers are Olivia Chaney, Bushra El-Turk, Charlotte Keeffe, Daudi Matsiko and Ayanna Witter-Johnson. Each receives an unrestricted award of £75,000, to spend however they wish — a freedom the foundation presents as the point of the prize. For Bell, the award offers the chance to find her own studio, explore new materials and develop the performative side of her practice.

Now in its 32nd year, the programme supports visual artists and composers at moments in their careers when backing can change what happens next. Since it began in 1994, the awards have totalled £12.79 million, shared among 377 artists across the UK. Past recipients include Yinka Shonibare, Jeremy Deller, Sonia Boyce, Phyllida Barlow and Alberta Whittle.

The award's value has grown over time: it rose from £60,000 to £75,000 per recipient to mark the scheme's 30th anniversary, reflecting the foundation's belief in the value of artists and their contribution to society. The 2026 announcement comes as the arts sector argues over public funding, with the foundation's model — long-term, unconditional support for individual makers — standing in quiet contrast to project-based grants tied to specific outcomes.