Top Art Competitions 2026
Discover current open calls for national and international art competitions.
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- Clear overview of the best grants, prizes, residences
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- Deadline reminders and agenda
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Deadline
Jan 6, 2026
Information
Herbert Smith Freehills Portrait Award
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Painting
Theme: Portrait
Reward
Eligibility conditions
The work entered must be predominantly painted in oil, tempera or acrylic and must be on a stretcher or board, preferably framed and unglazed (i.e.: no glass or perspex). No watercolours, works on paper or pastels will be considered.
Deadline
Jan 7, 2026
Information
Namosa Prize
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Painting /
Drawing /
Installation /
Sculpture /
Ceramics
Reward
Eligibility conditions
Resident of
Belgium
For projects in Namur by organisations established in Belgium, regardless of their legal form (e.g. non-profit organisation, de facto association, school, cooperative society or limited liability company), with the exception of public authorities
Deadline
Jan 7, 2026
Information
Ottakringer Art Prize
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Painting /
Drawing /
Photography /
Video /
Installation /
Performance /
Sculpture
/
Film
Reward
3 x:
5 x:
Eligibility conditions
Resident of
Wien (AT)
For artists who live or work in the Ottakring District
Deadline
Jan 8, 2026
Information
uprewsancddarsaie ecls
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Digital /
Sound /
Painting /
Drawing /
Literature /
Photography /
Video /
Printmaking /
Installation /
Performance /
Sculpture /
Textile Art /
Ceramics
Theme: Nsoyoie wee pw,cn o,dcenrgv t ee du arhaa teesferletcvt re soipu ff
Reward
Eligibility conditions
For artists in the early and exploratory stages of their career and coming from and be living and working Prince Claus Fund eligible countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe.
Deadline
Jan 9, 2026
Information
A wl dairbeaytrrt
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Photography
Theme: tOmii’mpLse
Reward
Eligibility conditions
Resident of
France
Nationality:
French
For students or artists who graduated less than three years
Deadline
Jan 9, 2026
Information
Tibrayac u wr iaoc-sctotyrcadsl rkru nnu o
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Digital /
Painting /
Drawing /
Photography /
Video /
Printmaking /
Installation /
Performance /
Sculpture /
Textile Art /
Ceramics
Reward
Eligibility conditions
Resident of
Ireland
For artists who are resident in the Cork County administrative area
Deadline
Jan 10, 2026
Information
Eriiycss erehatia s -etpzb ula rtouk
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Digital /
Painting /
Drawing /
Photography /
Video /
Printmaking /
Installation /
Performance /
Sculpture /
Textile Art /
Ceramics
Reward
Eligibility conditions
Nationality:
Bangladeshi,
Bhutanese,
Indian,
Maldivian,
Nepalese,
Pakistani,
Sri Lankan
Applicants must have filed their Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree between September 2, 2023 and September 1, 2024 at an accredited school in North America or Europe.
Deadline
Jan 11, 2026
Information
iwsnoano -hrhi ietoruitoiyrpsmsl g h p p eselmteuoarzd
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Photography
/
Lens-based artworks
Theme: A c eiey|é hamr ha oiis hin atna nrcuaCtlnaneomm dá
Reward
First Prize:
Runner-Up Prize (2x):
Bursary:
30 x:
Eligibility conditions
Resident of
Ireland
Nationality:
Irish
Deadline
Jan 15, 2026
Information
Eoaazrw igpf s tdtarhci aindntr
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Painting
Reward
Eligibility conditions
Born between 1990 (included) and 2007 (included)
Resident of
Austria,
Germany,
Switzerland
Artists who graduated max. three years ago.
Deadline
Jan 15, 2026
Information
Msiriz ydongoa lnfiaup tpadc er eyluhdorrolo r- ubarg eetg colanfakr
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Curatorial
Reward
Eligibility conditions
Born between 1996 (included) and 2008 (included)
Resident of
Canada
Nationality:
Canadian
Art competitions are great opportunities for artists, offering cash prizes along with the rewards of exposure and recognition. By validating your artistic practice, they increase your visibility in the art world. Art competitions can serve as a catalyst that accelerates an artist's progress to success. Visit our website to view the best current art competitions.
Are you looking for open calls for art competitions in a specific country or city? Check our carefully chosen selections:
Find the answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding art competitions here:
What is an art competition?
Art competitions are events where artists are invited to submit their work based on a particular theme or category. Organized by a variety of entities such as institutions, galleries, or other art organizations, these competitions aim to identify, acknowledge, and support talented artists. A panel of judges typically awards prizes, exhibitions, publications, or other forms of recognition to the best entries. Winning art competitions offers artists crucial exposure and recognition.
What are typical prizes of art competitions?
Art competitions offer artists a variety of prizes. These can range from cash awards, to opportunities in order to exhibit works and gain exposure. Some competitions also offer artist residencies, scholarships, as well as art supplies or equipment as prizes. Winners may have their work featured in a catalog, an art magazine, or on an online platform, increasing recognition and exposure. Ultimately, winning awards become a valuable addition to an artist's resume.
The list of art competitions on our website specifies in each case clearly what the “prize“ entails.
How does the judging process work?
The jury panel generally consists of a number of distinguished persons from the art world, who, over the course of several rounds, individually decide which applications to eliminate or pass on to the next rounds. Shortlisted works are then subjected to further scrutiny. The process concludes with the panel collectively deciding on the winners.
How do I apply for an art competition?
Most open calls for art competitions require artists to submit a comprehensive application, including a portfolio, an artist statement, and a resume. The number of applicants for art competitions is often high, especially for the more prestigious prizes. Therefore, your application needs be impactful, clear, straightforward, and inviting to review.
Do you need help in these matters? Check our online courses “How to make a portfolio” and “How to write an artists statement” which serve as step-by-step guides giving you all the tools you need to build a strong application for art competitions.