Top Art Competitions 2025/2026
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 6, 2026
Information
Herbert Smith Freehills Portrait Award
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Painting
Theme: Portrait
Reward
Eligibility conditions
The work entered must be predominantly painted in oil, tempera or acrylic and must be on a stretcher or board, preferably framed and unglazed (i.e.: no glass or perspex). No watercolours, works on paper or pastels will be considered.
Deadline
Jan 23, 2026
Information
Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Painting
Theme: Watercolors
Reward
Winsor & Newton Award:
Winsor & Newton Product Prize:
Leathersellers' Prize:
President’s Choice Award:
Eligibility conditions
Deadline
Feb 11, 2026
Information
Jackson's Art Prize
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Painting /
Drawing /
Printmaking
Reward
First Prize:
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
Eligibility conditions
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.