Top Art Competitions 2026
Discover current open calls for national and international art competitions.
Log in to see all current opportunities
- Clear overview of the best grants, prizes, residences
- Search and restrictions filters
- Personalized recommendation
- Deadline reminders and agenda
- Monthly cancellable
Deadline
Jan 29, 2026
Information
Mülheimer Kunstverein Artist Prize
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Digital /
Painting /
Drawing /
Photography /
Video /
Printmaking /
Installation /
Performance /
Sculpture /
Textile Art /
Ceramics
Reward
Location
Mülheim an der Ruhr
Germany
Eligibility conditions
No students
Born between 1970 (included) and 1985 (included)
Resident of
Nordrhein-Westfalen (DE)
For mid-career artists in the ruhr area
Deadline
Jan 31, 2026
Information
Kalinowski Prize
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Digital /
Painting /
Drawing /
Photography /
Video /
Printmaking /
Installation /
Performance /
Sculpture /
Textile Art /
Ceramics
Reward
Eligibility conditions
No students
Resident of
Baden-Württemberg (DE)
Graduates of the Academy of Fine Arts Karlsruhe
Deadline
Jan 31, 2026
Information
Förderpreis des BBK München und Oberbayern
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Digital /
Painting /
Drawing /
Photography /
Video /
Printmaking /
Installation /
Performance /
Sculpture /
Textile Art /
Ceramics
Reward
Eligibility conditions
Resident of
Bayern (DE)
For artists whose first degree from an art academy was completed at least one year ago and no more than ten years ago, or who, as self-taught artists, have been professionally active for no more than ten years
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:
WINGS Award:
Eligibility conditions
Deadline
Feb 7, 2026
Information
FBZ Art Award
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Painting /
Drawing /
Photography /
Printmaking /
Installation /
Sculpture
Theme: Mental Health
Reward
FBZ Art Award:
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
Energy and Environment Institute of Rottenburg University of Applied Sciences - Art meets future energy
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Digital /
Painting /
Architecture /
Photography /
Printmaking /
Installation /
Sculpture /
Textile Art /
Ceramics
Theme: Art meets future energy
Reward
Eligibility conditions
Deadline
Mar 1, 2026
Information
Art Reinickendorf - Young Art Award
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Painting /
Drawing /
Photography /
Video /
Printmaking
Reward
First Prize:
2 x:
Publication + Exhibition
Eligibility conditions
No students
Born between 1986 (included) and 2006 (included)
Resident of
Berlin (DE)
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.