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
May 24, 2026
Information
State of the ART(ist) – Cultural Diplomacy and the Freedom of Art
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Digital /
Painting /
Drawing /
Photography /
Video /
Printmaking /
Installation /
Performance /
Sculpture /
Textile Art /
Ceramics
Theme: Artists working under existential threat
Reward
Exhibition at the Ars Electronica Festival
Eligibility conditions
Projects can be submitted by artists whose livelihoods are severely affected by the effects of conflict zones and political persecution, restrictions on freedom of expression, environmental crises, and economic and systemic exploitation
Deadline
May 30, 2026
Information
Young Generation Art Award
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Digital /
Painting /
Drawing /
Photography /
Video /
Printmaking /
Installation /
Sculpture /
Textile Art /
Ceramics
Reward
Main prize:
5 Shortlisted artists:
Exhibition
Eligibility conditions
Born between 1991 (included) and 2008 (included)
Deadline
May 31, 2026
Information
Sonntag Grant for Photography / Replika Publishing
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Photography
Theme: Photobook
Reward
Publication
Book launch event hosted at Bildband Berlin
Eligibility conditions
For FLINTA (female, lesbian, inter, non-binary, trans, agender) artists
Deadline
May 31, 2026
Information
2miu andste1r
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Digital /
Sound /
Painting /
Drawing /
Photography /
Video /
Printmaking /
Installation /
Performance /
Sculpture /
Textile Art /
Ceramics
Reward
Eligibility conditions
Deadline
May 31, 2026
Information
Pnepirtahnm mueukskr.
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Digital /
Painting /
Drawing /
Photography /
Video /
Printmaking /
Installation /
Performance /
Sculpture /
Textile Art /
Ceramics
Reward
Exhibition
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
Deadline
May 31, 2026
Information
Orggnohahap01orp syraegu d ian ophtewrt
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Photography
Theme: seohfomeE Hc o
Reward
Eligibility conditions
Born between 2001 (included) and 2011 (included)
Resident of
Singapore
Deadline
May 31, 2026
Information
R epirncprn oonauhbouaee ualv:h dnitatita ottouet tilgifelstteefruyc oleplsre-u nyg
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Photography /
Video
Theme: r tY:eaetoorltrolueuo yebdpul i rl Peaaathettf letvItni iiSGChauNugrpoF nnt e
Reward
International conferences
Visual storytelling training camp
Vivo smartphone
Eligibility conditions
Born between 1991 (included) and 2008 (included)
Deadline
May 31, 2026
Information
Ot1a no o tnthmaharisyou zhkn cemkr-lwstwpara n2shuboonstraoyl narbdeptrcg -esrs
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Digital /
Sound /
Literature /
Performance /
Music
/
Researchers / Activists / Scientists
Reward
Performative Walkthrough:
Workshops:
Eligibility conditions
Resident of
Spain
Deadline
May 31, 2026
Information
E-gautgeh srdsm eptotrnlsr s ectbdi tarwna
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Digital /
Painting /
Drawing /
Literature /
Photography /
Video /
Printmaking /
Installation /
Performance /
Sculpture /
Textile Art /
Ceramics
Theme: snRtDee omt
Reward
Eligibility conditions
Deadline
May 31, 2026
Information
Mceaslaolai tt’ptbrine oei
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Painting /
Drawing /
Photography /
Printmaking /
Sculpture /
Textile Art /
Ceramics
Reward
3 x:
Laptop + masterclasses + mentorship + two-month residency + solo exhibition
1 x Absa L’Atelier Gerard Sekoto Award:
Three-month residency in Paris + exhibition
Eligibility conditions
Born between 1986 (included) and 2005 (included)
Resident of
Botswana,
Ghana,
Kenya,
Mauritius,
Mozambique,
Namibia,
Nigeria,
Seychelles,
South Africa,
Tanzania,
Uganda,
Zambia
Deadline
June 1, 2026
Information
D -niao rtcdia rsacaansrwaaf
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Digital /
Painting /
Drawing /
Photography /
Video /
Printmaking /
Installation /
Performance /
Sculpture /
Textile Art /
Ceramics
Reward
3 x:
Marciano Artadia Awardee:
Eligibility conditions
No students
Resident of
California (US)
Any artist who lived in San Francisco Bay Area for at least two years prior to the application deadline
Deadline
June 1, 2026
Information
Bungu loaqatet sdicsrnrinai
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Digital /
Painting /
Drawing /
Photography /
Video /
Printmaking /
Installation /
Performance /
Sculpture /
Textile Art /
Ceramics
Reward
Work purchase
Eligibility conditions
Resident of
Burgenland (AT)
Deadline
June 1, 2026
Information
Es as g iagi rn -mpztriopreapfzalualpuo ceer
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Digital /
Sound /
Painting /
Architecture /
Drawing /
Literature /
Photography /
Video /
Printmaking /
Installation /
Performance /
Sculpture /
Textile Art /
Ceramics /
Curatorial /
Music
Reward
First Prize:
Second Prize:
Third Prize:
Eligibility conditions
Deadline
June 4, 2026
Information
Mlrdgnnecaviaa w ngra r tftaig ereatoaedide
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Digital
Theme: tirD ltgaAsi
Reward
Eligibility conditions
Born between 1986 (included) and 2008 (included)
Resident of
Austria
Nationality:
Austrian
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.