The Berger Prize is
the leading book prize for art history.
ENTER THE 2025 BERGER PRIZE
To enter, and for any enquiries, please email admin@walpolesociety.org.uk.
ELIGIBILITY
A book is eligible where it meets these criteria:
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It is on the subject of British art history, conceived broadly to include fine arts, decorative arts, architecture, collecting and patronage, in Britain or by a British artist.
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It was published in hard copy by any publisher during the preceding calendar year (1 January to 31 December).
SELECTION
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Eligible books are judged by a panel of six assessors which includes two Trustees of the Walpole Society. Biographies of the jury are published here.
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A Long List of 15 titles is established by assessment of all nominated works.
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A Short List of 6 works is chosen from the Long List.
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An overall winner is chosen from the Short List.
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At the Prizegiving, the overall winner receives £5000 and the five other shortlisted books receive £500 each.
GOVERNANCE
For rules and governance of the Berger Prize, see our policy below, and for further information please email admin@walpolesociety.org.uk
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BERGER PRIZE
POLICY
Nominations close
28 March 2025
Longlist announced
2 July 2025
Shortlist announced
16 September 2025
Winner & prize ceremony
12 November 2025
HOW TO ENTER THE PRIZE
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Titles may be nominated for the prize by their author(s), publisher or any associated organisation.
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Nominations should be sent to admin@walpolesociety.org.uk with the subject heading '2025 Berger Prize Nomination', to arrive by midnight on 28 March 2025.
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In the first instance, nominations must include a pdf containing (i) an abstract of the book; (ii) the contents page; (iii) any relevant press release and author information; (iv) contact details for the publisher's press office.
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At the nomination stage, publishers also undertake to supply judges with a complete pdf or hard copy of their nominated book, if so requested.
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Publishers of Long Listed titles undertake to provide a hard copy of their book to each of the six judges and to the Berger Collection Educational Trust (8 copies in total) on request.
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND OTHER ARRANGEMENTS
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The Long List will be published at an event in London on 2 July 2025. Publishers of titles on the Long List will be informed in advance.
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The Short List will be announced on 16 September 2025 online. Publishers of titles on the Short List will be informed in advance.
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The Berger Prize will be awarded at an event in London on 12 November 2025. All shortlisted authors, a publisher's representative and the prize's judges are expected to attend.
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In the year following their receipt of the prize, the prize-winning author will be invited to give a guest lecture in Denver, Colorado, at the invitation of the Denver Art Museum.
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The authors of all Short Listed works will be interviewed for the Walpole Society's podcast series.
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Authors and publishers of Short Listed and Prize-winning books are expected to co-operate in marketing and promotion of the Berger Prize.
IMAGE (TOP)
Thomas Jones (1742-1803)
View on the River Wye, circa 1776 [detail]
Oil on board, 45.7 x 60.1 cm
Denver Art Museum (2019.14), gift of the Berger Collection Educational Trust