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

Jan 25, 2026

Information

Winifred Shantz Award for Ceramics

Genre: Art Competition
Art field:
Theme: Ceramics

Reward

Location

Waterloo
Canada

Eligibility conditions

No students

Deadline

Jan 26, 2026

Information

Strabag Artaward International

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Painting / Drawing
Theme: Painting and drawing

Reward

16,000 €
4 x: 8,000 €

Location

Vienna
Austria

Eligibility conditions

Born between 1986 (included) and 2008 (included)
Resident of Austria, Germany, Slovenia

Deadline

Jan 27, 2026

Information

All About Photo Awards - The Mind's Eye

Genre: Art Competition
Art field:

Reward

Location

Los Angeles
United States of America

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

Jan 29, 2026

Information

Iepoeshirtrn mz a

Genre: Art Competition
Art field:

Reward

Location

Kye rwno
United States of America

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

Jan 29, 2026

Information

ehmkestemt epivirlrüntraeuinsi rz

Genre: Art Competition
Art field:

Reward

Location

üruahme reihmlrnd
Germany

Eligibility conditions

No students
Born between 1970 (included) and 1985 (included)
For mid-career artists in the ruhr area

Deadline

Jan 30, 2026

Information

O eaio wggfetapandaedcereps or umitzprhhhren dsrrart

Genre: Art Competition
Art field:
Theme: oafrhren oT leetif ct

Reward

Location

Serore
Luxembourg

Eligibility conditions

No students
For amateur photographers

Deadline

Jan 30, 2026

Information

Naj lditrws c-haedue orcnaanaed

Genre: Art Competition
Art field:

Reward

Location

B dibhaau
United Arab Emirates

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

Jan 31, 2026

Information

Kswei rnzkliaiop

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

Reward

10,000 €

Location

Bonn
Germany

Eligibility conditions

No students
Resident of Baden-Württemberg (DE)
Graduates of the Academy of Fine Arts Karlsruhe

Deadline

Jan 31, 2026

Information

d nitsegi laalertepr ozh

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Digital / Sound / Painting / Drawing / Photography / Video / Printmaking / Installation / Performance / Sculpture / Textile Art / Ceramics
Theme: snpehsucu eEsra rnol votie

Reward

1,500 €
1,000 €
500 €
500 €

Location

Aeihnahdcsbzw n
Germany

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

Jan 31, 2026

Information

twtdaa anarwismarc

Genre: Art Competition
Art field:

Reward

Location

Rrsego
United States of America

Eligibility conditions

No students
For visual artists who are women

Deadline

Jan 31, 2026

Information

Dsedubnaödüb nr eynr bbmrrc ehpoefnr skeie

Genre: Art Competition
Art field:

Reward

Location

Unhcim
Germany

Eligibility conditions

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

Jan 31, 2026

Information

Nuaaawncaihnn m-w ets tts eam rai ommtltreft eksnrdsieioara h o ottomsafu e

Genre: Art Competition
Art field:

Reward

Location

Rsreog
United States of America

Eligibility conditions

No students
For female artists from Arkansas

Deadline

Feb 1, 2026

Information

Emodtolefvneulieadstlvoi fm

Genre: Art Competition
Art field:
Theme: dmaeiu uaoI ilisoesrkvsmvwr

Reward

Location

Eiodnmeovt
Uruguay

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

Feb 7, 2026

Information

atdfaab rwrz

Genre: Art Competition
Art field:
Theme: HaltlMhatene

Reward

Location

Ouhcbm
Germany

Eligibility conditions

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

Deadline

Feb 7, 2026

Information

Enreny gyrbt f taauiyne u i ef mn cpeesunuosrrfr cu sgmerontdtniite teee-stirvoendainittegp r lvensoe t

Genre: Art Competition
Art field:
Theme: rfnee utsttgeumAerrey

Reward

Location

Etnubr t nacearomrgk
Germany

Eligibility conditions

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.