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
Apr 11, 2026
Information
Icehotel 37
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Installation /
Sculpture
Theme: Ephemeral art project made of snow and ice
Reward
Location
Jukkasjärvi
Sweden
Eligibility conditions
Deadline
Apr 15, 2026
Information
Hotuoisaiciwndca aeroer-renrrl ö bti tkssq
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Digital /
Painting /
Drawing /
Photography /
Video /
Printmaking /
Installation /
Sculpture /
Textile Art /
Ceramics
Reward
Artworks Acquisition
Eligibility conditions
No students
Resident of
Oberösterreich (AT)
Deadline
Apr 15, 2026
Information
Abkimbgaai bm arspruodovtre
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Digital /
Painting /
Drawing /
Photography /
Video /
Printmaking /
Installation /
Performance /
Sculpture /
Textile Art /
Ceramics
Reward
Eligibility conditions
No students
Resident of
Bayern (DE)
Exclusively for full-time artists. Employment may not exceed 50% of the regular weekly working hours applicable to the respective position.
Deadline
Apr 23, 2026
Information
tacyoldw s igrauaiacrnlti
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Digital /
Painting /
Drawing /
Photography /
Video /
Printmaking /
Installation /
Performance /
Sculpture /
Textile Art /
Ceramics
Reward
Eligibility conditions
Resident of
Ireland
Deadline
Apr 24, 2026
Information
Greyrntk ce otg rne3iahhniilphuosrlaedreozrt
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Performance
Theme: i)eao2i 0n(UtJb e5t:0aph r mriA
Reward
Exhibition
Eligibility conditions
Born between 1987 (included) and 2008 (included)
Resident of
Baden-Württemberg (DE)
For artists based in the Karlsruhe Technology Region
Deadline
Apr 26, 2026
Information
Am g b raarr sacahderylic spawtr d oifa mtanoteor-ytntcoi
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Painting
Reward
Eligibility conditions
Resident of
Scotland
Nationality:
Scottish
Artists who graduated at least 10 years ago or have at least 10 years of substantive practice
Deadline
Apr 26, 2026
Information
Il rbmtsx erenape
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Digital /
Painting /
Drawing /
Photography /
Video /
Printmaking /
Installation /
Performance /
Sculpture /
Textile Art /
Ceramics
Theme: rtc raPytiaritoap
Reward
4 x:
Eligibility conditions
Resident of
France
Deadline
Apr 27, 2026
Information
Iygers stttionei etevneoesvobir anv-c aao ymr rz ot vn reepjcnes/p rrcaca
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Digital /
Sound /
Painting /
Drawing /
Photography /
Video /
Printmaking /
Installation /
Performance /
Sculpture /
Textile Art /
Ceramics
Theme: trionram gnvoirynZetev e
Reward
Flight in a Airbus ZERO-G
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
French language skills required
Deadline
Apr 28, 2026
Information
ailr -azc luneoi tp
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Digital /
Painting /
Drawing /
Photography /
Video /
Printmaking /
Installation /
Performance /
Sculpture /
Textile Art /
Ceramics
Theme: an uLit
Reward
Residency
Eligibility conditions
Resident of
France
Deadline
Apr 30, 2026
Information
Afaencpo f irp eprni-dli awcacihefjtcad nkrmra nareaanspctjlre tunroiva kre s
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Performance
Reward
Eligibility conditions
Resident of
New York (US)
For New York City-based artist working in performance art
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.