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 reminders and agenda
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Deadline

Jan 11, 2026

Information

Photo Museum Ireland - Taylor Wessing Irish Photo Prize

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Photography / Lens-based artworks
Theme: Community | Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine

Reward

First Prize: 10,000 € + Exhibition
Runner-Up Prize (2x): 2,500 € + Exhibition
Bursary: 10,000 € + Exhibition
30 x: 100 € + Exhibition

Location

Dublin
Ireland

Eligibility conditions

Resident of Ireland
Nationality: Irish

Deadline

Jan 11, 2026

Information

Futures Talents

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Photography

Reward

5 x: 500 € + Mentoring + Travel & accommodation

Location

Hamburg
Germany

Eligibility conditions

No students
Resident of Germany

Deadline

Jan 13, 2026

Information

Prix de Dessin Pierre David-Weill

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Drawing

Reward

8,000 €
4,000 €
2,000 €

Location

Paris
France

Eligibility conditions

Resident of France
Nationality: French

Deadline

Jan 13, 2026

Information

h pdytosanaaoypowr rwdosglhr

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Photography

Reward

25,000 $ + Equipment

Location

Onnlod
United Kingdom

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

Jan 15, 2026

Information

Nzttfghaaar pa deidnis rcoriwt

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Painting

Reward

2,500 €
1,500 €
1,000 €
1,000 €

Location

Earg
Germany

Eligibility conditions

Born between 1990 (included) and 2007 (included)
Resident of Austria, Germany, Switzerland
Artists who graduated max. three years ago.

Deadline

Jan 15, 2026

Information

Zs yc-oepbarluyac iigrelfrdponaoraglte riek ouomdrhtadf nualo gr n

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Curatorial

Reward

5,000 CAD + Mentorship for an Exhibition

Location

Hlgpeu
Canada

Eligibility conditions

Born between 1996 (included) and 2008 (included)
Resident of Canada
Nationality: Canadian

Deadline

Jan 15, 2026

Information

Str uireeaa aodnrruz lsabpdiiv ltne

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Digital / Painting / Drawing / Printmaking / Installation / Performance / Sculpture

Reward

15,000 €

Location

Xlerelsub
Belgium

Eligibility conditions

Born between 1991 (included) and 2008 (included)

Deadline

Jan 15, 2026

Information

Oerudzidonmbaorpirsld i ntf cy ruacganoearok

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Curatorial

Reward

5,000 CAD + Mentorship + Exhibition + budget up to 10,000 CAD

Location

Phguel
Canada

Eligibility conditions

Born between 1996 (included) and 2008 (included)
Resident of Canada
Nationality: Canadian

Deadline

Jan 16, 2026

Information

Xdzupxtuo efrefeuarplinsui mvrs eemoeilm

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Video
Theme: xVomdaleeteEprn ii

Reward

1,000 € + Exhibition

Location

Sorap
Greece

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

Jan 17, 2026

Information

ooslorrdent poptswhst ec

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Photography
Theme: gchatnrahPu puamsioyodnodrtrony tlehoapj mo

Reward

10,000 € + Traveling Exhibition
1,000 € + Traveling Exhibition

Location

Adamrmest
Netherlands

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

Jan 18, 2026

Information

Ernak drukilpfrsi-ssukttr kugaletsasnehts repurs u

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Painting / Drawing / Printmaking
Theme: ahiesRagclerneunukri Vd

Reward

5,000 € + Exhibition
3,000 € + Exhibition
2,000 € + Exhibition

Location

Alehuskrr
Germany

Eligibility conditions

No students
Online registration will close automatically once the limit of 1,000 registrations has been reached, or on January 18, 2026, at the latest.

Deadline

Jan 18, 2026

Information

Tttnp nannr ciiaaeoganlitsrneaioti

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Painting
Theme: ot CnodiToS ,soyrrrmta eeorhRm

Reward

8,000 €
7,000 €
5,000 €

Location

Aotbada
Spain

Eligibility conditions

Born between 1950 (included) and 2007 (included)

Deadline

Jan 18, 2026

Information

cgirmcr rta c2aobp

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

Reward

25,000 CAD + Exhibition
25,000 CAD + Exhibition

Location

Norotot
Canada

Eligibility conditions

No students
Resident of Canada
For professional artists with 2-10 years experience

Deadline

Jan 19, 2026

Information

Auenutatniizsbr neontmaohailglre eefrk

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Video
Theme: ormShilsFt

Reward

8,000 €
4,000 €
1,500 €
5,000 €
3,000 €
2,000 €

Location

Aruonbehes
Germany

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

Jan 19, 2026

Information

Crarettrlhiwa a d

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Video
Theme: odm itl aaef rdniV

Reward

1,000 € + Screening

Location

Kufrranft
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.