Our Contest Lists database of the best art contests is updated each month and contains information about a wide range of art contests including painting competitions, drawing contests, sculpture awards, photography prizes, and many other varieties of art competition. At Contest Lists we only list contests that have excellent and proven reputations in the industry. We don’t include scammers, meaning our lists are populated with trustworthy and legitimate contests. Make sure to contact organizers directly with any queries. Regarding fees: Many legitimate contests charge fees. However it is important to research each opportunity thoroughly to ensure you understand the terms and conditions of each contest.
Rolling Deadline
The Homiens Art Prize
Genres: All
Deadline: Always open, awarded every three months
Prizes: The Homiens Art Prize, which awards over $12,000 USD annually to artists, represents a meritocratic and prestigious gateway to significant industry recognition. The prize is open to all art forms and artists internationally. Each round, 3 winners and 12 finalists are exhibited online as part of Homiens’ seasonal exhibition program, and up to 200 artists are highly commended. Winners receive optional interview and letter of recommendation. All entrants are considered for exhibition and receive a certificate of participation.
Entry fee: $35 (reduced Early Bird rate available until June 30)
Eligibility: No restrictions
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PJAS Magazine Open Theme Competition
Genres: All
Deadline: Always open
Prizes: One entry will receive a $1,000 cash prize and feature in their upcoming issue
Entry fee: $10
Eligibility: No restrictions
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Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant
Genre: Painting, sculpture, and works on paper, including printmaking
Deadline: Always open
Prizes: Up to $50,000
Entry fee: None
Eligibility: Artists must be actively exhibiting their current work in professional artistic venues, such as gallery and museum spaces
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June 2026
Artadia Award San Francisco
Genre: All
Deadline: June 1, 2026
Prizes: $15,000 – $25,000
Entry fee: None
Eligibility: Californian (US) Residents who are not students, and have lived in San Francisco for at least two years prior to the deadline
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Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize
Genre: Drawing
Deadline: June 9, 2026 (5 p.m. BST)
Prizes: £2,000 – £10,000 and exhibition
Entry fee: £30 – £50
Eligibility: No restrictions
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Spring Innovate Grant for Art and Photography
Genre: All
Deadline: June 18, 2026
Prizes: 2 x $1,800
Entry fee: $35
Eligibility: 18+
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Madison Chautauqua Festival of Art
Genre: Painting, Drawing, Photography, Sculpture, Weaving, Folk Art, Jewelry, Fiber, Wood, Baskets, Clay, Glass, Paper, Printmaking, Mixed Media, Leather, and consideration of media not listed upon request
Deadline: June 30, 2026
Prizes: Best in Show, Best Presentation, First, Second and Third Place in Fine Craft and in Fine Arts, 2 Honorable Mentions
Entry fee: $25
Eligibility: US-wide, all work must be handmade and designed by the artist
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The Almenara Art Prize
Genre: Painting and Drawing
Deadline: June 30, 2026
Prizes: €500 – €10,000 and Exhibition, Residencies, and Art Materials
Entry fee: €45 (€29 for additional entries and youth category)
Eligibility: No restrictions
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Japan Illustrators’ Association (JIA) Illustration Award 2026
Genre: Illustration
Deadline: June 30, 2026
Prizes: 100,000¥ – 500,000¥ and exhibition
Entry fee: 9,000¥ – 15,000¥
Eligibility: No restrictions
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Arte Laguna Prize
Genre: Digital, Painting, Drawing, Photography, Video, Graphic, Installation, Performance, Sculpture, Textile Art, Ceramics
Deadline: June 30, 2026
Prizes: €10,000 and Exhibition
Entry fee: €98 (under 35) or €122 (over 35)
Eligibility: No restrictions
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July 2026
2027 Embracing Our Differences International Art Exhibition
Genre: All
Deadline: July 1, 2026
Prizes: $2,000 x 3 and Exhibition
Theme: Embracing Our Differences
Entry fee: None
Eligibility: Artwork must be horizontal (landscape orientation)
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Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize 2026
Genre: Representational art in all static mediums (5 award categories: Painting, Drawing, Photography, Sculpture, Digital Art)
Deadline: July 17, 2026
Prizes: $3,000 – $10,000 and Exhibition
Entry fee: $40
Eligibility: No restrictions
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2026 National Juried Ceramic Exhibition
Genre: Ceramics
Deadline: July 20, 2026
Prizes: $1,000 Best In Show Award
Entry fee: $45 (up to 3 entries)
Eligibility: 18+ U.S. residents. Work completed after January 1, 2017. Work should be able to pass through a standard door.
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Nomad Art Prize
Genre: All
Deadline: July 30, 2026
Prizes: 8 selected artists will exhibit at LX Factory, Former Cultural Warehouses in Lisbon and receive a cash prize of €1,000, be included in a full-color printed and digital catalogue with critical essays, and receive a one-week creative residency in Lisbon, timed to coincide with the exhibition opening. Travel and accommodation are fully covered by the organizers.
Entry fee: €50
Eligibility: 16+
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August 2025
Giant Incandescent Resonating Animation Festival
Genre: Animation (Digital, Drawing, Film, Video, Interdisciplinary)
Deadline: August 1, 2025
Prizes: Two juried prizes TBA with estimated value of $200 (CAD) per winner, $80 (CAD) screening fee for all who present their film at GIRAF
Entry fee: None
Eligibility: No commercial work, work for an adult audience
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Jag Gallery’s POOLSIDE
Genre: Painting, Drawing, Sculpture, Pottery, Ceramics, Textiles, Photography
Deadline: August 5, 2026
Prizes: Exhibition (online and in-person, commissions are based on a 50/50 gallery split), 1 x Judge’s Choice, 3 x Honorable Mention, and 1 x People’s Choice, with winners and honorees invited to participate in a dedicated Jag Gallery group show in 2027
Entry fee: $35
Eligibility: 18+ and “Swimming Pool(s)” as part of the subject or the main subject, accepted artwork must be for sale
Enter here