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

Feb 1, 2026

Information

Artadia Award - Los Angeles

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

Reward

3 x: 15,000 $
Marciano Artadia Awardee: 25,000 $

Location

Los Angeles
United States of America

Eligibility conditions

No students
Resident of California (US)
Live and work within Los Angeles County for at least two years prior to the application deadline

Deadline

Feb 1, 2026

Information

Montevideo Fulldome Festival

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Video
Theme: Immersive audiovisual works

Reward

1,000 $ + Exhibition

Location

Montevideo
Uruguay

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

Feb 1, 2026

Information

Körber Foundation / A MAZE. Festival - XR-History Award

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Digital / Installation / Performance
Theme: History, Historical Narration, Commemorative Culture

Reward

XR-History Award: 2,000 € + Exhibition
WINGS Award: 2,000 € + Exhibition

Location

Hamburg
Germany

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

Feb 2, 2026

Information

Iaei ufrv pf tnpocoir eoutztarrm r-r treirdpaor tdregp nteadgaanii

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Painting / Drawing / Sculpture
Theme: g rrrdaivur Pnateauotfi artite

Reward

50,000 $

Location

Ateaelalshs
United States of America

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

Feb 2, 2026

Information

Kleiarbworzmtl po eurs

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Painting / Drawing / Printmaking / Ceramics

Reward

Painting: 50,000 AUD
Works on Paper: 10,000 AUD
Ceramics: 10,000 AUD

Location

Lee aoh wwunsst
Australia

Eligibility conditions

Resident of Australia

Deadline

Feb 5, 2026

Information

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Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Photography
Theme: euiAauatat rnslNr

Reward

10,000 AUD
1,500 AUD
500 AUD

Location

Aaeddlei
Australia

Eligibility conditions

All photographs must be taken in the ANZANG bioregion

Deadline

Feb 7, 2026

Information

A rr azabdwtf

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Painting / Drawing / Photography / Printmaking / Installation / Sculpture
Theme: nelhMlatet Ha

Reward

FBZ Art Award: 10,000 € + Exhibition

Location

Obhumc
Germany

Eligibility conditions

No students
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
The application period ends on February 7, 2026, at 12:00 p.m.

Deadline

Feb 7, 2026

Information

M ts tnne eenpsaernifre-eutofrttrs euav iot iynatou vcgnesedinmygicsn eere tinreyueblnotfe t g urdpi r

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Digital / Painting / Architecture / Photography / Printmaking / Installation / Sculpture / Textile Art / Ceramics
Theme: sreemAefy rutnttu r gee

Reward

5,000 €

Location

Arrrg nactn eeoktmbu
Germany

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

Feb 9, 2026

Information

Slio oieipmptn-cttee tenoorlf t

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Digital / Painting / Installation / Performance / Sculpture / Textile Art / Ceramics
Theme: O dkoorwtstoraru

Reward

150 £ + Exhibition

Location

bunrotarhohnt
United Kingdom

Eligibility conditions

Resident of South East England (GB)
For artists living in Hampshire or the adjoining counties.

Deadline

Feb 11, 2026

Information

R'japiocretazs kn s

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

Reward

First Prize: 6,000 £ + £2,000 art materials
Jackson's Choice Awards (x5): £1,000 art materials
Guest Judge's Choice Awards: £1,000 art materials
Student Award: £500 art materials
Amateur Award: £500 art materials
People's Choice Award: £1,000 art materials

Location

Onnold
United Kingdom

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

Feb 12, 2026

Information

Ai dwrcro-iassr suclulaarrunb r naiatlva tdes y

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

Reward

20,000 €

Location

Nluibd
Ireland

Eligibility conditions

No students
Resident of Ireland

Deadline

Feb 12, 2026

Information

Nnle anoeagatonmee lnniiibnsit tagoiierctmgceoicryp

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Ceramics
Theme: CaArc mtire

Reward

GCB Grand Prize: 16,777,215 ₩ + Exhibition + Publication + Acquisition
GCB Excellence Prize 9 x: 10,000,000 ₩ + Exhibition + Publication + Acquisition
GCB Special Prize 4 x: Exhibition + Publication
GCB Prize 46 x: Exhibition + Publication

Location

Is-jnwggau
Korea, South

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

Feb 12, 2026

Information

oach adlsnr mhria aws eco-aeclribtyioun laruar

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

Reward

20,000 €
15,000 €
10,000 €

Location

Nd5 y220
Ireland

Eligibility conditions

No students
Resident of Ireland

Deadline

Feb 14, 2026

Information

raywraesadbot

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

Reward

Main Prize: 100,000 CAD + Exhibition
Shortlist artists: 25,000 CAD
Longlist artists: 10,000 CAD

Location

Taaotw
Canada

Eligibility conditions

Resident of Canada
Nationality: Canadian

Deadline

Feb 14, 2026

Information

Rlrutairdza epz n—eei

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

Reward

20,000 CHF
3,000 CHF

Location

Benr
Switzerland

Eligibility conditions

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.