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
- Search and restrictions filters
- Personalized recommendation
- Deadline reminders and agenda
- Monthly cancellable
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:
Runner-Up Prize (2x):
Bursary:
30 x:
Eligibility conditions
Resident of
Ireland
Nationality:
Irish
Deadline
Jan 15, 2026
Information
Nzttfghaaar pa deidnis rcoriwt
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Painting
Reward
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
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
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
Eligibility conditions
Born between 1996 (included) and 2008 (included)
Resident of
Canada
Nationality:
Canadian
Deadline
Jan 18, 2026
Information
Ernak drukilpfrsi-ssukttr kugaletsasnehts repurs u
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Painting /
Drawing /
Printmaking
Theme: ahiesRagclerneunukri Vd
Reward
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
cgirmcr rta c2aobp
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Painting /
Drawing /
Photography /
Printmaking /
Installation /
Sculpture /
Textile Art /
Ceramics
Reward
Eligibility conditions
No students
Resident of
Canada
For professional artists with 2-10 years experience
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.