Alongside the many hundreds of high-profile global art competitions are dozens of smaller monthly art competitions that can help artists build a reputation while having far more opportunities to win.
Many regular art competitions take place online or are linked to specialist art magazines. The prize is often little more than a feature or free publicity – but being able to add a title or a feature in a national (online) magazine will impress gallerists and potential collectors alike.
Before you enter a competition check out our tips on How to win an art competition
Tips for success
Winning a competition is only part of the fun. Make the most of each win by following these tips:
- Note the competitions in your calendar and enter them regularly.
If it’s a gallery-run open competition, check the requirements for exhibiting (does art needs to be for sale or shipped to the gallery). - Choose the right theme for your work — there can be several different themes within the same competition.
- Make sure you get free copies of any published material, as well as digital copies that you can use for marketing.
- Request a digital copy of their logo that you can use alongside any promotion you use.
- Include winning titles (cover star of the month, Landscape Artist of the Year) in your bio and social media profiles, along with a logo where one is available.
- Keep the momentum going. If you’ve won one title, see if you can get more.
Artweb’s pick of monthly art competitions
Artists Network/Artists Magazine
One of the largest collections of competition opportunities can be found at Artists Network, the group that brings you Artists Magazine. They have an extensive catalog of rolling competitions. Themed contests vary based on media (water media, pastels, drawings, acrylics) or subject matter like pets, southwestern art, artists over 60, and more. Artists Network is a membership site. While many competitions are open to the general public, members get early-bird pricing and an early-bird deadline for submissions. Members also get access to an extensive library of how-to videos, magazine archives, and ebooks. More info.
PleinAir Salon Art Competition
PleinAir magazine hosts monthly painting competitions that award artists across a variety of painting mediums.
There are 19 categories to select from, including studio painting. The winners will be showcased in PleinAir magazine, and all winners and finalists will have their work promoted online on sites like FineArtConnoisseur.com, OutdoorPainter.com, PleinAirSalon.com, and in a variety of e-newsletters. The annual competition offers a chance to win $15,000 and the cover of PleinAir magazine. More info.
Art and Color 365 Competitions
Art and Color 365 describes its mission as celebrating artists and their creative contribution to the world. The monthly art competitions showcase artists to bring them greater attention and offer broader outreach for their work. Sign up for their newsletter for regular updates on upcoming themes. More info.
Fine Art America Online Art Contests
Fine Art America is an online community of members who create on-the-fly, pop-up art contests. The prizes aren’t much, but it’s great to feel part of a community of artists. Informal online competitions can pad your artist CV and encourage you to try something new that fits with its various themes from floral painting to Christmas cards.
Some contests have cash prizes, but many offer online promotional opportunities. Members of the site can start a new competition anytime. More info.
NYAC – New York Art Competitions
Chelsea International Fine Art Competition offers more than $70,000 in prizes. Accepted works include sculpture, painting, photography, mixed media, drawing, and print. Similarly, the Chelsea International Photography Competition offers over $55,000 in prizes and is open to photographers at any stage of their career. These competitions form part of the New York Art Competitions, which hosts four annual international art contests to promote artists’ careers and bring their work to a bigger audience. More info.
Monthly C4E Art Competition
Artists can get free promotion through the C4E newsletter and website. You will need a SubmitArts account to apply for free. Submitting artists may apply from any country but must be 18 or over. More info.
International Art Competitions
This website linked to art magazines offers competitions in eight different genres each year. The competitions are designed to encourage the best artists in the world today, and generally include painting or drawing. More info.
Painters Online
Create a free account and you can enter a series of competitions throughout the year, including The Artist and Leisure Painter (TALP) annual competition which is open until April 2024. Many of the competitions offer art prizes rather than cash plus a chance to be featured online. More info.
The Teravarna Art Gallery Landscape Annual Art Competition
This LA-based gallery is a regular in the competitions circuit. There are cash awards of $3,500 considered for First Prize, Runner-Up Prize, Merit Prize, Talent Prize. Mediums include painting, sculpture, digital, printmaking, fiber, photography, graphic, mixed media, installation.
Certificates of Recognition are given out to all artists, including Honorable Mention and Finalist awards. All winners will have their artworks displayed on our gallery walls. Global exposure and social media promotion guaranteed. More info.
Good luck!
Feeling inspired? More art competitions to check out
See our latest guide to the best 2024 international competitions
What’s your medium? There are art competitions for every style and material. We’ve made it easy with our guides:
