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
  • Monthly cancellable

Deadline

July 27, 2025

Information

Head On Photo Awards

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Photography
Theme: Portrait / Landscape / Exposure

Reward

3 Prizes each: 5,000 AUD + Camera kit

Location

Bronte
Australia

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

July 30, 2025

Information

Lee Ufan Arles x Guerlain - Art & Environment Prize

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

Reward

Residency and support program
Exhibition

Location

Arles
France

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

July 31, 2025

Information

29th Bremen Award for Video Art

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Video

Reward

Prizes in total of: 10,000 € + Exhibition

Location

Bremen
Germany

Eligibility conditions

Resident of Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland
Artists from German-speaking countries and Bremen/Bremerhaven's twin cities are invited to take part

Deadline

July 31, 2025

Information

Oli craoacrprpe h ataxm

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Photography
Theme: rrpmwop t(leha)atcorg hi rmayVagfo aee

Reward

6,000 € + Exhibition

Location

Sairp
France

Eligibility conditions

Artists using view camera (large format) photography

Deadline

July 31, 2025

Information

Z gita raplreuane

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

Reward

10,000 €
Finalists Exhibition

Location

Vineec
Italy

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

July 31, 2025

Information

Oi dtiocla mt ntri ini iiiibaavnrterneitanpinna-

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Graphic
Theme: namin hgineatsdogthLukesS :i tPhear

Reward

4,000 € + Exhibition
1,500 €
500 €
500 €

Location

Icartbaan
Spain

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

July 31, 2025

Information

Sphn errzothem iia et

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

Reward

3 x: 1,000 $
Finalists: Online exhibition + Interview

Location

Kw rneoy
United States of America

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

Aug 5, 2025

Information

Re g pum oorrmcnafbettiotnzünime

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Drawing / Photography / Video / Collage
Theme: pds o-ieoScpd teioicaisvltldoolnteimca nonn

Reward

3 x: 5,000 € + Exhibition

Location

Lrbnei
Germany

Eligibility conditions

Born between 1985 (included) and 2008 (included)
Resident of Germany

Deadline

Aug 5, 2025

Information

Hghai urt4 tamhoyopnyp

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Photography
Theme: isjute ialcmetC

Reward

5,000 $
Online Exhibition

Location

Kenoywr
United States of America

Eligibility conditions

All images must have been taken within between August 1, 2024 and August 5, 2025

Deadline

Aug 7, 2025

Information

pbreohs aynztrri

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

Reward

10,000 AUD + Exhibition
5,000 AUD
5 x: 1,500 AUD

Location

Bhnorsy
Australia

Eligibility conditions

Resident of Australia

Deadline

Aug 10, 2025

Information

Te dgcnraap ussest t n3ooldol nidt litro tliihragzfb

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

Reward

2,500 €
1,000 €
Audience Award: 500 €

Location

Ialtnotsdg
Germany

Eligibility conditions

No students
Resident of Bayern (DE)
BBK Oberbayern Nord and Ingolstadt e.V. artists as well as with a current residence or studio in the districts and sub-districts of the city of Ingolstadt

Deadline

Aug 11, 2025

Information

Znpstioodproo peorhe

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Photography

Reward

Grand Prize Winner: 2,000 £ + Exhibition + Gallery representation
Runners Up: Exhibition + Listed on the Open Doors Gallery website for one year
Shortlisted Artists: Exhibition

Location

Oonlnd
United Kingdom

Eligibility conditions

For artists working within the first ten years of their practise

Deadline

Aug 14, 2025

Information

Rietunai efrotpemristrea ouayg tt a-oi cfe norc

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Painting / Drawing / Sculpture

Reward

1,200 $
800 $
400 $
200 $

Location

Eatasasllhe
United States of America

Eligibility conditions

Born between 2000 (included) and 2007 (included)

Deadline

Aug 15, 2025

Information

Peinzp egoitfr alrr axoexg n ciai n

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

Reward

8,000 € + Exhibition

Location

Ipasr
France

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

Aug 18, 2025

Information

R d aawtrgdaetasgriigesiimntl

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Digital

Reward

5,000 CAD + Group Exhibition

Location

Nrototo
Canada

Eligibility conditions

Resident of Canada
For emerging artists

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.