Top Art Competitions 2026/2027
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
Nov 20, 2026
Information
Sammlung Goetz - Media Art Prize
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Digital /
Video
Reward
Eligibility conditions
Resident of
Bayern (DE)
For students who will be graduating within the next six months. and recent graduates up to two years after the end of their studies at the Academy of Fine Arts Munich.
Deadline
Dec 31, 2026
Information
Lower Austria - Acquisition of works of art
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Painting /
Drawing /
Photography /
Printmaking
Reward
Acquisition of works of art
Location
St. Pölten
Austria
Eligibility conditions
Resident of
Niederösterreich (AT)
Deadline
Jan 12, 2027
Information
Owroaglsdtphdyop shona rrywa
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Photography
Theme: hyrogpaPhto
Reward
Photographer of the Year:
Single Image Competition Winner:
Eligibility conditions
Deadline
Jan 29, 2027
Information
Tanhe ctitnnlia mhoteboecnsiiti eo m niir1xhr4a
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Theme: naCTeiforhaP citetsol me
Reward
Location
uiijafimtyc git
Japan
Eligibility conditions
Applications in Japanese or English
Deadline
Anytime
Information
Eandftrc fhtinng ooi awuszfknotyd a
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Digital /
Sound /
Painting /
Drawing /
Photography /
Video /
Printmaking /
Installation /
Performance /
Sculpture
Reward
Eligibility conditions
Born between 1984 (included) and 2001 (included)
Resident of
Baden-Württemberg (DE)
For artists up to 35 years old and with a connection to Constance
Deadline
Anytime
Information
N cemoidei enuefc detvanbotrdmryiascuy
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Digital /
Painting /
Architecture /
Drawing /
Literature /
Photography /
Video /
Printmaking /
Installation /
Performance /
Sculpture /
Textile Art /
Ceramics
Reward
Eligibility conditions
Creators who have been directly affected by the 2022 invasion of Ukraine
Deadline
Anytime
Information
Naicol z tritqsiusnai
Genre:
Art Competition
Art field:
Digital /
Painting /
Drawing /
Photography /
Video /
Printmaking /
Installation /
Performance /
Sculpture /
Textile Art /
Ceramics
Reward
Work purchase
Eligibility conditions
Resident of
Oberösterreich (AT)
Artists with a connection to Linz
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.