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

Apr 15, 2026

Information

Marta Hoepffner - Photography Prize

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Photography
Theme: Hinter dem Spiegel

Reward

3,000 € + Exhibition

Location

Frankfurt/M.
Germany

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

Apr 15, 2026

Information

Land Oberösterreich - Artworks Acquisition

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

Reward

Artworks Acquisition

Location

Linz
Austria

Eligibility conditions

No students
Resident of Oberösterreich (AT)

Deadline

Apr 15, 2026

Information

BBK Bavaria Studio Programme

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

Reward

8,000 €

Location

Munich
Germany

Eligibility conditions

No students
Resident of Bayern (DE)
Exclusively for full-time artists. Employment may not exceed 50% of the regular weekly working hours applicable to the respective position.

Deadline

Apr 21, 2026

Information

Ppry rrh toiirpiraep tagglhweoosota siznct

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Photography
Theme: aotttProhiPo r

Reward

Exhibition

Location

Onnodl
United Kingdom

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

Apr 22, 2026

Information

Ar otemcyfzalnteadrtmrnge tiop ilirigyk npn-por ne

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Printmaking
Theme: iintnmPgkar

Reward

500 £ + Exhibition

Location

Infoenttd
United Kingdom

Eligibility conditions

Resident of United Kingdom

Deadline

Apr 23, 2026

Information

Luiraotatgc ilic rn dwysaa

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

Reward

5,000 €

Location

Niudbl
Ireland

Eligibility conditions

Resident of Ireland

Deadline

Apr 24, 2026

Information

Eyc tiare glrnodehh nhnzikrrrle3agt oerptious

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Performance
Theme: a :Am)(2ier bi0 ot etih5pnar0UJ

Reward

12,000 €
8,000 €
5,000 €
Exhibition

Location

Srlakheur
Germany

Eligibility conditions

Born between 1987 (included) and 2008 (included)
Resident of Baden-Württemberg (DE)
For artists based in the Karlsruhe Technology Region

Deadline

Apr 26, 2026

Information

Nwti tsaeyarc itydh tadtrp-gcs orrbmra oaraainm foo lea c

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Painting

Reward

20,000 £ + Exhibition

Location

Guniehbrd
United Kingdom

Eligibility conditions

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

Deadline

Apr 26, 2026

Information

Xmipe enae trsblr

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

Reward

4 x: 10,000 €

Location

Sarip
France

Eligibility conditions

Resident of France

Deadline

Apr 27, 2026

Information

A/ ov vc- rteiaeeornbecrc t a veo n oprvtnzgsinnerei rtp cismtse oayrasjye

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

Reward

2,500 € + Exhibition
Flight in a Airbus ZERO-G

Location

Ispar
France

Eligibility conditions

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
French language skills required

Deadline

Apr 28, 2026

Information

alcie - uapornilt z

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

Reward

12,000 €
3,000 €
Residency
2,000 € + Exhibition

Location

Isapr
France

Eligibility conditions

Resident of France

Deadline

Apr 30, 2026

Information

Ofaiotw apenrdcnnnea fidpl ltr ar se uejvaprn a ccanrkp -rrirtfkisajceaciem h a

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Performance

Reward

10,000 $ + Exhibition & Publication

Location

Kyonolrb
United States of America

Eligibility conditions

Resident of New York (US)
For New York City-based artist working in performance art

Deadline

Apr 30, 2026

Information

Nori taag ermwhda

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Photography

Reward

7,500 $
1,000 $

Location

Enroyk w
United States of America

Eligibility conditions

Born between 1996 (included) and 2008 (included)
For woman or nonbinary photographer

Deadline

Apr 30, 2026

Information

Ippureu ectultruspi raarz e

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

Reward

7,500 €
5,400 €

Location

Nizl
Austria

Eligibility conditions

No students
Resident of Oberösterreich (AT)

Deadline

Apr 30, 2026

Information

Iudasya rw

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Photography

Reward

5,000 CHF
3,000 CHF
2,000 CHF
Group exhibition

Location

Eblas
Switzerland

Eligibility conditions

Born between 1987 (included) and 2008 (included)
Resident of Switzerland

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.