Top Art Competitions 2026

Discover current open calls for national and international art competitions.

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Deadline

Feb 7, 2026

Information

FBZ Art Award

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Painting / Drawing / Photography / Printmaking / Installation / Sculpture
Theme: Mental Health

Reward

FBZ Art Award: 10,000 € + Exhibition

Location

Bochum
Germany

Eligibility conditions

No students
Resident of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden
The application period ends on February 7, 2026, at 12:00 p.m.

Deadline

Feb 7, 2026

Information

Energy and Environment Institute of Rottenburg University of Applied Sciences - Art meets future energy

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Digital / Painting / Architecture / Photography / Printmaking / Installation / Sculpture / Textile Art / Ceramics
Theme: Art meets future energy

Reward

5,000 €

Location

Rottenburg am Neckar
Germany

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

Feb 9, 2026

Information

Little Forest - Open Competition

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Digital / Painting / Installation / Performance / Sculpture / Textile Art / Ceramics
Theme: Outdoor artworks

Reward

150 £ + Exhibition

Location

North Boarhunt
United Kingdom

Eligibility conditions

Resident of South East England (GB)
For artists living in Hampshire or the adjoining counties.

Deadline

Feb 11, 2026

Information

k i'ptejosanarzcrs

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Painting / Drawing / Printmaking

Reward

First Prize: 6,000 £ + £2,000 art materials
Jackson's Choice Awards (x5): £1,000 art materials
Guest Judge's Choice Awards: £1,000 art materials
Student Award: £500 art materials
Amateur Award: £500 art materials
People's Choice Award: £1,000 art materials

Location

Dnonol
United Kingdom

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

Feb 12, 2026

Information

L iarn duo a ed-wcaiu savyrrrtrs rllnaiasscatbu

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Digital / Painting / Drawing / Photography / Video / Printmaking / Installation / Performance / Sculpture / Textile Art / Ceramics / Curatorial

Reward

20,000 €

Location

Lnduib
Ireland

Eligibility conditions

No students
Resident of Ireland

Deadline

Feb 12, 2026

Information

Goieearginntei e einneb titmaancpoyaistclocnglm iorn

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Ceramics
Theme: arAtc remiC

Reward

GCB Grand Prize: 16,777,215 ₩ + Exhibition + Publication + Acquisition
GCB Excellence Prize 9 x: 10,000,000 ₩ + Exhibition + Publication + Acquisition
GCB Special Prize 4 x: Exhibition + Publication
GCB Prize 46 x: Exhibition + Publication

Location

-waggiunsj
Korea, South

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

Feb 12, 2026

Information

Lsaa bui hrelooo yrahiaciacw crmd srenla una-rt

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Digital / Painting / Drawing / Photography / Video / Printmaking / Installation / Performance / Sculpture / Textile Art / Ceramics / Curatorial

Reward

20,000 €
15,000 €
10,000 €

Location

Ndy02 52
Ireland

Eligibility conditions

No students
Resident of Ireland

Deadline

Feb 14, 2026

Information

Rs eadtayraowb

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Digital / Sound / Painting / Drawing / Photography / Video / Printmaking / Installation / Performance / Sculpture / Textile Art / Ceramics

Reward

Main Prize: 100,000 CAD + Exhibition
Shortlist artists: 25,000 CAD
Longlist artists: 10,000 CAD

Location

Taawto
Canada

Eligibility conditions

Resident of Canada
Nationality: Canadian

Deadline

Feb 14, 2026

Information

A—etia uern epildrrzz

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Digital / Painting / Drawing / Photography / Video / Printmaking / Installation / Performance / Sculpture / Textile Art / Ceramics
Theme: ceeee arjsyit otrtnzoPl d

Reward

20,000 CHF
3,000 CHF

Location

Nber
Switzerland

Eligibility conditions

Resident of Switzerland

Deadline

Feb 16, 2026

Information

Sr gcnrielid g lratiaeearseac wgmta

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Digital / Painting / Architecture / Drawing / Video / Printmaking / Sculpture / Ceramics

Reward

2,500 £
1,500 £
1,000 £
Publication print edition + Exhibition

Location

Foditrl
United Kingdom

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

Feb 27, 2026

Information

uzsertsarpdn uiega

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Photography
Theme: Patriotr

Reward

5,000 € + Exhibition

Location

Coelngo
Germany

Eligibility conditions

Born between 1986 (included) and 2007 (included)

Deadline

Feb 27, 2026

Information

tnparremneairi izr

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Painting / Drawing / Photography / Printmaking / Installation / Sculpture / Textile Art / Ceramics
Theme: irpieshPeer

Reward

7,000 € + Exhibition

Location

Oblznoa
Italy

Eligibility conditions

No students
Born between 1951 (included) and 1992 (included)

Deadline

Feb 28, 2026

Information

Te-arlu lie yldsi gnkpz- trrseeürrse

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Painting
Theme: trsniKllia

Reward

Publication + Exhibition

Location

Nnlseegis
Germany

Eligibility conditions

Resident of Germany

Deadline

Feb 28, 2026

Information

Sne t daa -r&ecswranrtg

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Photography / Video

Reward

Me&Eve Award: 1,000 $ + Exhibition
Callanan Excellence in Teaching Award: 5,000 $
Project Launch Grant: 5,000 $ + Exhibition
Project Development Grant: 5,000 $ + Exhibition

Location

A nsfaet
United States of America

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

Feb 28, 2026

Information

Albls ershadetsmas

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Photography
Theme: retAcltLii trf r2rtte1/a-W - sa teeepj or u-/ i rc-eePi dt S-oh cdl arAP-ntc

Reward

5,000 Skr + Hasselblad X2D II 100C Camera

Location

An..
Sweden

Eligibility conditions

Art Competitions – Prizes, recognition and exposure

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:
FAQs: Art Competitions

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.