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
Oct 20, 2026
Information
Creative Scotland - Visual Artist and Craft Maker Awards
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Digital /
Painting /
Drawing /
Photography /
Video /
Printmaking /
Installation /
Sculpture /
Textile Art /
Ceramics
/
Craft
Reward
Eligibility conditions
No students
Resident of
Scotland
Deadline
Oct 21, 2026
Information
Wellcome Photography Prize
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Photography
Theme: Striking solo photography / A storytelling series / The marvels of scientific and medical imaging
Reward
3 x:
22 x:
Eligibility conditions
Deadline
Oct 31, 2026
Information
E tzsdonrd alipteteaa c treierpht afs
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Digital /
Painting /
Drawing /
Photography /
Video /
Printmaking /
Installation /
Performance /
Sculpture /
Textile Art /
Ceramics
Reward
Eligibility conditions
Resident of
Sachsen (DE)
For artists based in Dresden.
Deadline
Nov 1, 2026
Information
Odanr-aoaws ituhd rtaa
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Digital /
Painting /
Drawing /
Photography /
Video /
Printmaking /
Installation /
Performance /
Sculpture /
Textile Art /
Ceramics
Reward
3 x:
Eligibility conditions
No students
Resident of
Texas (US)
Any artist who lived in Houston for at least two years prior to the application deadline
Deadline
Nov 1, 2026
Information
Xou z mi gbuacrelepl-brc
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Digital /
Sound /
Painting /
Architecture /
Drawing /
Photography /
Video /
Printmaking /
Installation /
Performance /
Sculpture /
Textile Art /
Ceramics
Reward
Location
EtllaÉ
Belgium
Eligibility conditions
Born between 1991 (included) and 2008 (included)
Resident of
Luxembourg (BE)
Deadline
Nov 1, 2026
Information
Tticisadfnptli ereoom
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Digital /
Painting /
Drawing /
Photography /
Printmaking /
Installation /
Sculpture /
Textile Art /
Ceramics
Reward
Exhibition
Eligibility conditions
Resident of
Alabama (US),
Arkansas (US),
Florida (US),
Georgia (US),
Kentucky (US),
Louisiana (US),
Mississippi (US),
North Carolina (US),
South Carolina (US),
Tennessee (US),
Virginia (US),
West Virginia (US)
Deadline
Nov 1, 2026
Information
Gj nispbuih uihnnal sottraae4ttvingu sn
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Digital /
Sound /
Painting /
Drawing /
Literature /
Photography /
Video /
Printmaking /
Installation /
Performance /
Sculpture /
Textile Art /
Ceramics /
Music
Theme: oemH
Reward
Eligibility conditions
Resident of
Pennsylvania (US)
For artists based in Pittsburgh
Deadline
Nov 1, 2026
Information
T.adwaarr
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Digital /
Painting /
Drawing /
Photography /
Video /
Printmaking /
Installation /
Performance /
Sculpture /
Textile Art /
Ceramics /
Curatorial /
Music
Theme: tSordoehkenryh tTWBe ih
Reward
Grand Prize:
Residency at Château du Fresn (France)
Residency at Anfitrion (Spain)
Eligibility conditions
For artists having a website hosted directly on a .ART domain
Deadline
Nov 2, 2026
Information
Titrcminaweuldgesapso rgt cr sho
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Installation /
Sculpture
Theme: euuldtOpr ostuocr
Reward
Winners:
Realisation budget
Shortlisted:
Eligibility conditions
Resident of
Scotland
For early career artists in Scotland
Deadline
Nov 6, 2026
Information
osernpiamaz
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
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.