Top Art Competitions 2026

Discover current open calls for national and international art competitions.

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Deadline

July 31, 2026

Information

Prix Photo Camera Clara

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Photography
Theme: View camera (large format) photography

Reward

8,000 € + Exhibition

Location

Paris
France

Eligibility conditions

Artists using view camera (large format) photography

Deadline

July 31, 2026

Information

Lee Ufan Arles x Guerlain - Art & Environment Prize

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Digital / Sound / Painting / Drawing / Photography / Video / Printmaking / Installation / Performance / Sculpture / Textile Art / Ceramics
Theme: Art & Environment

Reward

4,000 € + Residency and support program
2,000 € + Exhibition

Location

Arles
France

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

Aug 2, 2026

Information

BigCi Environmental Awards

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Digital / Sound / Painting / Architecture / Drawing / Literature / Photography / Video / Printmaking / Installation / Performance / Sculpture / Textile Art / Ceramics / Curatorial / Music
Theme: Environmental Awards

Reward

2 winners:: 5,000 AUD + 4 weeks free residency

Location

Bilpin
Australia

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

Aug 6, 2026

Information

Teomnrn e trmüfteupmizoa cbroign

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Photography / Video / Collage
Theme: isindpao ciSoao pioltoeesntelnmnddilc o-cvt

Reward

3 x: 5,000 € + Exhibition

Location

Elrbni
Germany

Eligibility conditions

Born between 1986 (included) and 2008 (included)

Deadline

Aug 7, 2026

Information

Pd i o toaserettmnieallnn hizttgneoy nxriadaewixr

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Textile Art
Theme: eTextli

Reward

5,000 $

Location

Noe wyrk
United States of America

Eligibility conditions

For students who are currently enrolled in an educational institution teaching textiles, fashion, interior or lifestyle textiles. Graduates from 2025 and 2026 are eligible to enter.

Deadline

Aug 11, 2026

Information

H ppeiro dtpooo ezosnr

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Photography

Reward

Grand Prize Winner: 2,000 £ + Exhibition + Interview
Runners Up: Exhibition + Listed on the Open Doors Gallery website for one year
Shortlisted Artists: Exhibition

Location

Nolnod
United Kingdom

Eligibility conditions

For artists working within the first ten years of their practise

Deadline

Aug 11, 2026

Information

Pczlorh rytsgfiie retsi arya ai isbmotomn

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Digital / Painting / Drawing / Photography / Video / Printmaking / Installation / Sculpture / Textile Art / Ceramics

Reward

1,000 £
500 £
250 £
Exhibition

Location

Mirbhngima
United Kingdom

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

Aug 14, 2026

Information

Om uaoe atentr-c oirspryi etgiaino frtaructeef

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Painting / Drawing / Sculpture

Reward

1,200 $
800 $
400 $
200 $

Location

Shaslaeatle
United States of America

Eligibility conditions

Born between 2001 (included) and 2008 (included)

Deadline

Aug 14, 2026

Information

Aocayhtompl ohpp oegstihpysb ltruinttnioeeg iicrhyo

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Photography
Theme: e-ohhcam mcgmtrigvauovoin ni o occelragaatie o egyieAs/sisrlti EcdomBc Mnl /olynnE nteodin raer/yn/cna

Reward

1,000 £
500 £
Cover of a Royal Society journal

Location

Ldonon
United Kingdom

Eligibility conditions

For anyone studying or working in science at graduate level or above (e.g., master's, PhD, postdoctoral researchers, professors, or professionals in scientific fields)

Deadline

Aug 23, 2026

Information

N otsno cp ifçoa oafannrlersmesiosaditrnectd nit-neh

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Installation / Sculpture
Theme: htarE

Reward

15,000 € + Exhibition

Location

Llwttreiwa
France

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

Sep 10, 2026

Information

Zipt psrer iaram

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Painting
Theme: igeumnn tdmiPia

Reward

500 €
Exhibition
Residency

Location

Aecapsr
Italy

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

Sep 11, 2026

Information

Oy ristn uosr:eaob apiilnsoacvtoe vbevi-tgriwve ehlen

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Photography / Video

Reward

$12,000 in total grants awarded to three artists
Presentation at the PhotoVogue Festival

Location

Yreokwn
United States of America

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

Sep 15, 2026

Information

Pb k ciu oopohieroetlz

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Photography / Publisher
Theme: tbyrk saooohghpoP

Reward

3,000 $
2,000 $
2,000 $

Location

Elesngoa ls
United States of America

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

Sep 17, 2026

Information

Sre vno h+agitfo o ratt otpnran

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

Reward

Visual Artist Grant: 1,800 $
Photographer Grant: 1,800 $

Location

Ahgcico
United States of America

Eligibility conditions

Deadline

Sep 18, 2026

Information

Ryreshnsaaaihap zeeil crrcaso isi

Genre: Art Competition
Art field: Literature / Curatorial
Theme: tioIiwdsnlurieearuflcStnmo av er ls en'suo

Reward

1,000 €

Location

Ubdnli
Ireland

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.