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
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:
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
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
Eligibility conditions
Resident of
South East England (GB)
For artists living in Hampshire or the adjoining counties.
Deadline
Feb 11, 2026
Information
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Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Painting /
Drawing /
Printmaking
Reward
First Prize:
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
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
Eligibility conditions
No students
Resident of
Ireland
Deadline
Feb 12, 2026
Information
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Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Ceramics
Theme: arAtc remiC
Reward
GCB Grand Prize:
GCB Excellence Prize 9 x:
GCB Special Prize 4 x:
Exhibition + Publication
GCB Prize 46 x:
Exhibition + Publication
Location
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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
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:
Shortlist artists:
Longlist artists:
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
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
Publication print edition + Exhibition
Eligibility conditions
Deadline
Feb 27, 2026
Information
tnparremneairi izr
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Painting /
Drawing /
Photography /
Printmaking /
Installation /
Sculpture /
Textile Art /
Ceramics
Theme: irpieshPeer
Reward
Eligibility conditions
No students
Born between 1951 (included) and 1992 (included)
Deadline
Feb 28, 2026
Information
Sne t daa -r&ecswranrtg
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Photography /
Video
Reward
Me&Eve Award:
Callanan Excellence in Teaching Award:
Project Launch Grant:
Project Development Grant:
Eligibility conditions
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.