Top Art Competitions 2025

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

May 11, 2025

Information

Kunsthalle Recklinghausen - Art Award Young West

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Painting

Reward

20,000 € + Exhibition

Location

Recklinghausen
Germany

Eligibility conditions

Born between 1990 (included) and 2007 (included)
Resident of Germany
Nationality: German

Deadline

May 11, 2025

Information

Siilk & Stuck Magazine - Publication: Post Human

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Photography
Theme: Post Human

Reward

Publication

Location

Athens
Greece

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

May 11, 2025

Information

Waverley Art Prize

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Painting / Drawing / Photography / Graphic

Reward

15,000 AUD + Exhibition
2,000 AUD + Exhibition
1,000 AUD + Exhibition
500 AUD + Exhibition

Location

Bondi
Australia

Eligibility conditions

Resident of Australia

Deadline

May 12, 2025

Information

doowwjaohrksrpewoosdra t

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Photography

Reward

1,000 £ + 5,000 £ budget + Exhibition

Location

Girhotnb
United Kingdom

Eligibility conditions

Resident of United Kingdom

Deadline

May 13, 2025

Information

Peoippr zehr

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

Reward

2 x: 3,500 $
4 x: 1,000 $

Location

Vrdeo
United States of America

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

May 13, 2025

Information

ciepsarzarst

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Painting / Drawing / Graphic / Installation / Sculpture / Textile Art / Ceramics / Print Making

Reward

Main Prize: 10,000 £ + Stand at The Other Art Fair
Additional prizes worth: 15,000 £

Location

Nnlodo
United Kingdom

Eligibility conditions

Resident of Ireland, United Kingdom, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey

Deadline

May 15, 2025

Information

Rzpq epin

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Photography

Reward

1,500 € + Exhibition

Location

Snetna
France

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

May 15, 2025

Information

Aslo fciucnoitrn pxgamt-tqad b

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Painting / Drawing / Photography / Installation

Reward

Solo exhibition

Location

Cncasbalaa
Morocco

Eligibility conditions

Born between 1990 (included) and 2007 (included)
Resident of Morocco
Nationality: Moroccan

Deadline

May 16, 2025

Information

ilrdpheioiro d apxr atgp espaeh

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Photography

Reward

5,000 $
2,000 $
500 $

Location

Ipars
France

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

May 16, 2025

Information

-rniauitltwrwsera rwdop ee-aa

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Painting

Reward

5,000 € Purchase award

Location

Suersbls
Belgium

Eligibility conditions

Resident of Belgium

Deadline

May 18, 2025

Information

W raaetolagledhpo cpoab

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Photography

Reward

Prizes in total of 11,000 € + Exhibition

Location

Nveina
Austria

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

May 18, 2025

Information

Imryrs ledna athbmt froaotipwargirncdaoarca ytos eat - c

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Painting

Reward

20,000 £ + Exhibition

Location

Uhienbrdg
United Kingdom

Eligibility conditions

Resident of Scotland (GB)
Nationality: Scottish
Artists who graduated at least 10 years ago or have at least 10 years of substantive practice

Deadline

May 18, 2025

Information

Oapidw ymspg oahhrotsrsovanino

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Photography
Theme: p Bg nhidhyocwahrk ttoaelpa

Reward

3,000 $
2,000 $

Location

Oslelns ega
United States of America

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

May 18, 2025

Information

Ln osaje mr-aal r atrpetisc tttu

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Painting / Drawing
Theme: eTivre hr

Reward

4,000 € + Exhibition + Budget production
3 x 500 €

Location

Stsuaorrbg
France

Eligibility conditions

Resident of Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland
For emerging artists enrolled in or recently graduated from art schools

Deadline

May 23, 2025

Information

Rrauaki pzesz kcl

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Sound / Literature
Theme: o orrd iWoarfksta

Reward

12,500 €
2,500 €
5,000 €

Location

Baanbedn-ed
Germany

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.