Opportunities

It’s a huge privilege to be able to present our range of awards and opportunities to you, with the hope that it’ll inspire and help your creative practice.

Take a look at our awards and opportunities below, and please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you’ve any questions.

The Shirley Hughes Sketchbook Award

In celebration of the life and work of Shirley Hughes, the Shirley Hughes Sketchbook Award honours observational drawings of the everyday – and invites you to submit a sketchbook of your own observational studies.

  • £1,000 prize money and an Orange Beak tutorial for first prize, second and third prizes also awarded

  • Judged by Clara and Ed Vulliamy (Shirley’s children),  Maisie Paradise-Shearring and Ness Wood (Orange Beak Studio), Ken Wilson-Max (writer, illustrator and publisher)

  • Entries for 2026 are now closed, the award will be opening again in early 2027.

Find out more

Alice Corrie Award

The Alice Corrie Award honours the work of a much-missed editor, colleague and friend – and we are proud to announce an award in her name, offering unpublished authors the chance to shine and to have the opportunity to be assessed and advised by an industry professional.

  • £300 each for two winners, and the opportunity to meet with an industry professional

  • Judged by the Orange Beak team, Sarah Pakenham (Publisher, Scallywag Press), and Publishing Director Lou Grosart, who has been working in UK children’s book publishing for 15 years and has worked at many of the big publishing houses across preschool, picture books and licensing.

  • The 2027 award will open on 6th November 2026

Find out more

Orange Beak Opportunity

Orange Beak understands that not everyone has the same opportunities to learn and develop. So,  for 2027, we’re offering two free places to attend all of our online events for the year – from Orange Beak Evenings, to Workshops and Industry Insights. 

  • Two winners to gain free access to every Orange Beak online event during 2027. Considered by Maisie Paradise Shearring and Ness Wood (Orange Beak Studio)

  • The 2027 opportunity is now open, closing 10th December 2026.

Find out more