Top Art Competitions 2026
Discover current open calls for national and international art competitions.
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Deadline
Aug 18, 2026
Information
Midwest Culture Bearers Award
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Digital /
Painting /
Drawing /
Photography /
Video /
Printmaking /
Installation /
Performance /
Sculpture /
Textile Art /
Ceramics
Theme: Folk art or traditional cultural practice
Reward
Eligibility conditions
Resident of
Illinois (US),
Iowa (US),
Indiana (US),
Michigan (US),
Minnesota (US),
North Dakota (US),
Ohio (US),
South Dakota (US),
Wisconsin (US)
Applicants must have engaged in a folk art or traditional cultural practice for at least 10 years, with a focus on sharing knowledge with others
Deadline
Aug 23, 2026
Information
E y a aahca trcidlls eirojncsmlr-aras raefwfk wicn
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Ceramics
Theme: carCisem
Reward
One-year JRACraft membership
Exhibition
Eligibility conditions
Resident of
United States of America
Applicants may not have been curated into an exhibition at a major museum
Deadline
Aug 30, 2026
Information
Tirdep r l4btonnsn dgatitzf utthagsitca llhioseo lo
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Digital /
Painting /
Drawing /
Photography /
Video /
Printmaking /
Installation /
Sculpture /
Textile Art /
Ceramics
Reward
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 30, 2026
Information
Ooeldce nohfsw rltosartztiehpud er uautnkf hwnculhlcaahzi
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Digital /
Painting /
Drawing /
Photography /
Video /
Printmaking /
Installation /
Performance /
Sculpture /
Textile Art /
Ceramics
Reward
Exhibition
Eligibility conditions
Resident of
Germany
Deadline
Aug 31, 2026
Information
Lpluenaco yals aonn
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
Aigieonnenlrcamnat lo p egtniarafga rnirisz m
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Painting /
Photography
Reward
Eligibility conditions
Resident of
Australia
For emerging visual artists in Australia
Deadline
Sep 1, 2026
Information
R thtkep izgeonisn
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Painting /
Drawing
Theme: sCnrisoatiPr oafnatad
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
rsc wlipootpaiedia otsexrveesctudhndbpksen-rie et c tppeaeiangsntfo m
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
Okere 2dgr wcoamdliatrem hej 9f
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
Esoubi esnar
Argentina
Eligibility conditions
Resident of
Argentina
Nationality:
Argentinean
Deadline
Sep 7, 2026
Information
Tinoep osneoibfoeihbndanrn husztagal o
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
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.