Vårsalongen is a juried exhibition held every year, which everybody 18 and over can apply to.
Vårsalongen runs from mid-February to the end of April and kicks off the art year at Liljevalchs. Each work is for sale and the price, set by the participants themselves, can be found in the exhibition catalogue. The first Vårsalongen opened in 1921 and is thus the country’s oldest unbroken exhibition format, apart from a few years during the military preparedness of World War II. Vårsalongen has grown into a major public event and a real folk festival where each exhibitor has the unique chance to be seen by an audience of around 100,000 people.
The reason why Vårsalongen is so popular is to be found in the breadth of the exhibition and many different expressions, in the meeting between younger and older participants, between those who have art as their profession and those who exhibit for the very first time. We hope that as many people as possible will apply with a variety of expressions and stories to share – through art.
Last year, 3 835 people applied to Vårsalongen and of coure, a selection has to be made of the submitted works. That’s up to the jury. The constellation of the jury is changed each year, and that’s why we encourage you to keep on applying, as there are always new sets of eyes looking at the contributions. For the jury of 2026, Liljevalchs has invited the artist and musician Paul Adamah, the curator Abir Boukhari and the artist Carola Grahn.
There are many reasons to apply to Vårsalongen 2026 and participate in our huge art competition! There is no given theme, we welcome all works. Maybe you and your work will be selected to Vårsalongen and maybe your work will be sold to a visitor.
A warm welcome with your application!
Open until October 2
Application form, Swedish (PDF)
Application form, English (PDF)
Tips on how to apply for Vårsalongen
In the film below, you’ll find advice on what to think of when you apply for Vårsalongen. The film was made for last year’s Vårsalong, but the tips are still relevant.
Rules and information
Anyone who lives or resides in Sweden and was born in 2007 or earlier can apply to Vårsalongen 2026. Both individuals and groups can apply. Starting this year, all of Sápmi can apply too, i.e. not just the Swedish parts, but also the Norwegian, Finnish and Russian side of Sápmi.
From Monday September 1st you can submit a fully digital application. If possible, a digital application is preferred. Further information will be available at liljevalchs.se from Mid-August. Digital applications must be submitted no later than Thursday October 2nd at 23.59 hours.
This years jury comprises the artist and musician Paul Adamah, the curator Abir Boukhari and the artist Carola Grahn. The jury is chaired by the Director of Liljevalchs Joanna Sandell Wright.
The application fee is SEK 400 and is payable to Liljevalchs’ Plus Giro, account number 310 66-4. Please write »Vårsalongen Name, National ID Number« or pay directly in the digital application.
Your application, including photographs, must be submitted no later than Thursday October 2nd (in digital format no later than 23:59 hours; a postmark of October 2nd will be accepted). In order for your application to be considered, the
application fee must be paid by October 2nd 2025. Write »Vårsalongen 2026« on the envelope and post it to Liljevalchs, PO Box 27806, SE-115 93 Stockholm.
The application form for Vårsalongen 2026 is available (as a PDF) in three languages: Swedish, English and Arabic.
Download application form in Swedish
Download application form in English
Download application form in Arabic (available soon)
Application forms can also be obtained by calling Liljevalchs, tel. +46 8 508 31 330.
You can submit a maximum of five works (of which no more than 1 film/animation). The works you are accepted with are those that will take part in the exhibition. The curator makes the final decision of how the works are presented. The works must not be more than three years old and you are responsible for having copyright for the content in your images, as well as permission from any models featured. All works must be for sale.
The information about prices and editions that you state on the application form is binding and cannot later be changed. The price should include everything the buyer sees (i.e., including frames or similar) as well as Liljevalchs’ commission of 30 per cent. The price you specify must be reasonable
from an insurance and market point of view. The chances of being included are greater if the works have not been exhibited before.
Digital applications
From Monday September 1st you can submit a fully digital application. If possible, a digital application is preferred. Further information will be available at liljevalchs.se from Mid-August. Digital applications must be submitted no later than Thursday October 2nd at 23.59 hours.
Application on paper
Do not submit original artwork(s), but photographs of them. The photographs should be colour prints no larger than A4. Please note that paper applications will be scanned and presented in a digital format to the jury. The photographs should be accompanied by a completed and signed application form. Please note that you must state the dimensions of your work(s), as this is vital information for the jury. Your photographs will not be returned, nor can we archive them.
How to label your entries
Write your name and address and the number of your entry (according to the form, entry 1, 2, 3 etc) in the top section
on the back of the photograph. Films should be labelled with your name, address, the number of the entry and the duration of the film.
Video works
Video works should be submitted on a USB stick in any of the formats .mpg, .mpeg, .mp4, .mov or uploaded according to the instructions in the digital application. Sound works should be in .mp3 format. Accepted applicants will receive instructions for the exhibition format. Your film may be screened in a film programme including works by other artists. If you apply with an installation that cannot be incorporated into a programme it is important that you include detailed information in your application on how your work should be presented.
When submitting your application, you accept the rules, which means that you give Liljevalchs permission to publish the photo(s) of your work(s) in the catalogue and in Liljevalchs’ other channels without financial compensation. It also means that you give Liljevalchs permission to provide your photograph(s) to the press for free publication in conjunction with media coverage of Vårsalongen. You also accept that television coverage of the exhibition may include your work(s) with no financial compensation.
The jury’s decision will be announced by email or regular mail in mid-November 2025. The selected participants will receive a letter with instructions on how to deliver their work(s) and information on the sale process, etc.
The delivery of accepted works will take place in January 2026
The participants are responsible for organising the packing and transportation of their work(s) to Liljevalchs, transportation insurance, and the return transportation after the exhibition.
In the event of a sale, Liljevalchs’ commission is 30%. The sale price you state on your application form must include the commission. You will be paid, minus the commission, when we have received full payment from the buyer(s).
Information about Vårsalongen 2026 can be obtained from Liljevalchs by phone from Monday September 1st Monday–Friday, 9.00–12.00, tel.: +46 8 508 31 330. You can also email your questions to: varsalongen@stockholm.se.
Facts and statistics
Here you’ll find facts and statistics about Vårsalongen. Works, artists and techniques through the years.
Facts and statistics