York Conservation Trust - People not Walls, Celebration of a Living City Competition Pack Enter Here: https://form.jotform.com/261673723254055
People Not Walls: Celebration of a Living City York is a city shaped not only by its remarkable buildings, but by the people who live, work and create within them. Its historic streets and architecture are internationally recognised, yet it is the everyday activity that surrounds them that gives York its unique sense of place. As part of the celebrations marking York Conservation Trust’s 50th Anniversary, the 2026 art competition, People Not Walls: Celebration of a Living City, invites local entrants of all ages to explore the relationship between York’s historic buildings and the communities that bring them to life. The theme reflects the belief that heritage is about more than preserving walls and structures. Historic buildings are active participants in the life of the city, providing places for work, learning, creativity, commerce and connection. All entries must feature one or more York Conservation Trust properties selected from the legend accompanying the YCT50 Map issued with the entry form (also available here: https://form.jotform.com/261673723254055). These buildings represent some of York’s most distinctive and significant historic places and continue to play an important role in the city’s daily life. Entrants are encouraged to consider how these buildings remain relevant today. A medieval hall hosting contemporary events, a historic shopfront serving modern customers, or a centuries old house adapted for present day living all demonstrate how heritage continues to evolve through use. The focus should not simply be on the architecture itself, but on the relationship between people and place. Submissions may interpret the theme through any artistic style, from realism to abstraction and conceptual work. The aim is to celebrate York as a living city, where historic buildings are valued not only for their age and beauty, but because they continue to serve, support and inspire the communities around them. People Not Walls: Celebration of a Living City is an invitation to capture the enduring relationship between York’s historic buildings and the people who give them purpose, character and meaning.
Terms and Conditions: 1. Eligibility The competition is open to individuals of all ages, who live in York and North Yorkshire. Employees, judges, and partners involved in organising the competition are not eligible to enter. 2. Entry Requirements • Each participant may submit a maximum of one piece of artwork. • Artwork must be original and produced by hand specifically for this competition. Artwork must be created solely by the entrant by their own hand and must not infringe on any thirdparty rights. • Accepted mediums include, but are not limited to, traditional painting or drawing materials, printmaking, collage and mixed media. • Digital media may be used but the use of AI imagery is strictly excluded. Due to display and digitising requirements, sculpture and constructed design will not be accepted. • Entries must be submitted by 10th August through digital copy to this form • All entrants must complete the online form and upload the artwork at the link provided within the form. Hard-copy entries will not be accepted. Upon request, only winning entries will be required to supply hard copy artwork for display, and all entrants must be willing to donate the original artwork and associated copyright to York Conservation Trust Ltd. 3. Theme and Guidelines All submissions must align with the competition theme: ‘People not Walls: Celebration of a Living City’. Entries must be focussed on one or more of the York Conservation Trust properties listed on the legend alongside the YCT50 Map issued with the entry form, which is also available here: XXX In essence, we wish to see artwork that expresses and encapsulates the unique historic character of York and how the subject plays a role in the living city. Works that contain offensive, discriminatory, or inappropriate content may be disqualified at the organisers’ discretion. 4. Submission Format Entrants must provide: All winning entries, and selected others will be exhibited at York Theatre Royal, and therefore must be capable of being printed for wall display at the below dimensions: • 18x12 inches landscape • 12x18 inches portrait • 16x12 inches landscape • 12x16 inches portrait • 12x12 inches square 5. Judging Criteria Entries will be judged based on: • Creativity and originality • Technical skill • Interpretation of the theme • Overall impact Judging decisions are final and cannot be appealed.
6. Prizes Winners will receive vouchers for Topping & Co Booksellers in the following denominations: • First Prize £500 • Second Prize £300 • Third Prize £200 These are nontransferable and cannot be exchanged for cash. Vouchers are to be used in accordance with Topping & Co’s T&Cs. Winners will also be invited to a private behind the scenes tour of York Theatre Royal, VIP tickets to the awards ceremony to be held at the Theatre on 22 September 2026, and a signed copy of the YCT50 Map by Elliot Harrison. 7. Intellectual Property By entering, participants grant York Conservation Trust Ltd. nonexclusive, royaltyfree licence to display, publish, and promote the artwork across all mediums. 8. Exhibition and Display Selected artworks may be displayed physically at York Theatre Royal during September 2026. If original artwork is used for this purpose, all reasonable care will be taken during the exhibition process. However, York Conservation Trust will not be held liable for any loss or damage. 9. Disqualification The organisers reserve the right to disqualify entries that: • Breach these terms • Contain plagiarised or AIgenerated content. • Are submitted after the deadline 10. Data Protection Personal information collected during entry will be used solely for administering the competition and will not be shared with third parties except as required for judging or prize fulfilment. We will use entrants’ personal data only for administering the competition and contacting winners, in line with UK GDPR. All data will be stored securely, accessed only by authorised staff, and kept only for as long as necessary. After this period, it will be securely deleted. Entrants may request access to or deletion of their data at any time. 11. Changes and Cancellation The organisers may amend, suspend, or cancel the competition if necessary due to unforeseen circumstances. Any changes will be communicated promptly. 12. Acceptance of Terms By submitting an entry, participants confirm that they have read, understood, and agree to these Terms and Conditions.
York Conservation Trust Buildings
9. 34 Gillygate
18. Morrell Yard
Included in ‘A Living
Gillygate, YO31 7EQ
Fossgate, YO1 8QG
10. Herbert House
19. St Anthony’s Hall
Blake Street, YO1 8QG
Pavement, YO1 9UP
YO1 7PW
2. 54 Bootham
11. Ingram House
20. St Anthony’s Hall
Bootham, YO30 7XZ
Bootham, YO30 7DG
Gardens
3. 56 Bootham
12. 4 Jubbergate
21. 31 St Saviourgate
Bootham, YO30 7BZ
Jubbergate, YO1 8RT
YO30 7XZ
4. Bowes Morrell House
13. 45 Goodramgate
22. Theatre Royal
Walmgate, YO1 9UA
Goodramgate,
St Leonard’s Place,
YO1 7LS
YO1 7HD
5. 5 Colliergate
14. 61 Micklegate
23. The Red House
Colliergate, YO1 8BP
Micklegate, YO1 6LJ
Duncombe Place,
6. De Grey Rooms
15. 69-71 Micklegate
24. 14 Lendal
Micklegate, YO30 7BZ
Lendal, YO1 8AA
16. 83-89 Micklegate
25. 77 Walmgate
Castlegate, YO1 9RN
Micklegate, YO30 7BZ
Walmgate, YO1 9TZ
8. 60 Goodramgate
17. Middleton House
26. 77 Wealden Hall
Micklegate, YO1 6DT
51 Goodramgate,
City’ Competition
1. Assembly Rooms
St Leonard’s Place,
YO1 7PW
YO1 7ED
YO30 7BZ
7. Fairfax House
Goodramgate, YO1 7LF
YO1 7LS