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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- Personalized recommendation
- Deadline reminders and agenda
- Monthly cancellable
Deadline
Aug 31, 2026
Information
SYNO Anual Open Call
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Digital /
Sound /
Painting /
Drawing /
Photography /
Video /
Printmaking /
Installation /
Performance /
Sculpture /
Textile Art /
Ceramics /
Curatorial /
Music
Reward
Emerging Artist Prize (3 artists):
Established Artist Prize (3 artists):
Eligibility conditions
Resident of
Cyprus
Nationality:
Cypriot
For Cypriot and Cypriot diaspora artists
Deadline
Sep 1, 2026
Information
Morgans Financial National Emerging Art Prize
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Painting /
Photography
Reward
Eligibility conditions
Resident of
Australia
For emerging visual artists in Australia
Deadline
Sep 1, 2026
Information
Daatve msnuhtpo hignrriiurfr-f essnso ro arodi a agpafoayi wnkim
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Photography
Theme: Sea paitmditdoblhos-le
Reward
2 x:
Eligibility conditions
Resident of
United States of America
Nationality:
American
Deadline
Sep 1, 2026
Information
Htzrke ps tigoinne
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Painting /
Drawing
Theme: aids naPttrf sraCnoiao
Reward
Exhibition
Eligibility conditions
Resident of
Canada
Nationality:
Canadian
Eligible entries are portraits of Canadians by Canadian artists, either paintings or drawings.
Deadline
Sep 1, 2026
Information
Ghwree svrk noitpa dmefstn-itnsinr ce eodtoaupebct odaas ictpexpleep si
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Digital /
Painting /
Architecture /
Drawing /
Photography /
Video /
Printmaking /
Installation /
Performance /
Sculpture /
Textile Art /
Ceramics
Reward
Eligibility conditions
No students
Resident of
France,
Germany
Deadline
Sep 4, 2026
Information
2dmo mreeit wreg h cdaejlk9ofra
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Digital /
Painting /
Drawing /
Photography /
Video /
Printmaking /
Installation /
Sculpture
Reward
First Acquisition Prize:
7,000,000 arg$
Second Acquisition Prize:
4,000,000 arg$
Two Honorable Mentions:
1,000,000 arg$
Location
Rsaebio esun
Argentina
Eligibility conditions
Resident of
Argentina
Nationality:
Argentinean
Deadline
Sep 7, 2026
Information
Bibouiinotz fess goaehh lnonnpeadnorat
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Digital /
Painting /
Drawing /
Photography /
Video /
Printmaking /
Installation /
Performance /
Sculpture /
Textile Art /
Ceramics
Reward
Eligibility conditions
Resident of
Lebanon
Nationality:
Lebanese
Deadline
Sep 11, 2026
Information
Colnit s weyb v evoebeiietasloruh-goevsa :i pot airvrnn
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Photography /
Video
Reward
$12,000 in total grants awarded to three artists
Presentation at the PhotoVogue Festival
Eligibility conditions
Deadline
Sep 13, 2026
Information
Aynw ep iarnzamlhret
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Painting /
Sculpture
Reward
Eligibility conditions
No students
Resident of
Switzerland
Artists up to ten years after completing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Fine Arts can apply
Deadline
Sep 14, 2026
Information
Oman t puhfabtiiezbyuceroseroruotts m argr rme p-ens
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Digital /
Painting /
Drawing /
Photography /
Video /
Printmaking /
Installation /
Performance /
Sculpture /
Textile Art /
Ceramics
Reward
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),
Texas (US)
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.