🏆 Art Competitions: January–March 2026

Art competitions can offer more than just financial awards—they provide visibility, professional validation, and opportunities to connect with broader audiences. Below is a curated list of art competitions open in early 2026, organized by deadline to help you plan submissions and prioritize opportunities aligned with your practice.

AIRA International Painting Competition – Shared Territory, Common Roots

Deadline: January 18, 2026

Eligibility: Open to artists internationally

Theme: Shared territory and common roots

Details: AIRA SCG announces its First International Painting Competition, inviting artists to explore the relationship between land, people, rural life, and community. Submissions should reflect the beauty, dignity, and strength of the rural world and its role in shaping a shared future.

Learn More: https://www.aira.es/en/certamen-internacional-pintura-aira-en/

RAM Emerging Artist Award

Deadline: January 23, 2026

Eligibility: Wisconsin residents born between 1987–2005

Awards: Four $3,000 Artist Fellowships and one $1,500 Emerging Artist Award

Details: Supports emerging Wisconsin artists with fellowship funding to advance their artistic careers and professional development.

Apply Here: https://www.ramart.org/artist-resources/fellowships/

Homiens Art Prize

Deadline: January 29, 2026

Eligibility: Open internationally

Awards: Three $1,000 prizes

Additional Opportunities: Online exhibition, interview, and letter of recommendation; 12 finalists receive an online exhibition

Details: An international art prize offering financial awards and strong professional exposure through curated online programming.

Learn More: https://homiens.com/homiens-art-prize/

ACNMWA Artist Award (Arkansas Committee of the National Museum of Women in the Arts)

Deadline: January 31, 2026

Eligibility: Arkansas-based women visual artists

Award Amount: $4,000

Details: Supports accomplished women artists in Arkansas to realize their artistic vision and increase visibility. Funds may be used flexibly for studio expenses, supplies, childcare, research, travel, or study.

Apply Here: https://acnmwa.org/learn/news/acnmwa-accepting-artist-award-applications-through-january-31

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acnmwa/

Draper Grand Prize – International Portrait Competition

Deadline: February 2, 2026

Award Amount: $50,000

Eligibility: Open to all artists (members and non-members)

Details: The 28th annual International Portrait Competition showcases excellence in portraiture and figurative art. Finalists must exhibit original work and attend The Art of the Portrait conference in Atlanta, GA (April 9–12, 2026) for final judging and awards. Multiple mediums are accepted.

Learn More: https://www.portraitsociety.org/the-international-portrait

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_portrait_society/

The Art of Progress Prize

Deadline: March 1, 2026

Award Amount: $17,000 USD (€15,000)

Eligibility: Artists worldwide, age 35 and under

Details: An inaugural global prize supporting artists whose work intersects art, innovation, and sustainability. The competition seeks bold, multi-sensory practices—from bio-art and data visualization to scent-based and experimental installations—that imagine solutions for a sustainable future.

Learn More: https://www.dsm-firmenich.com/art-of-progress-prize/en/home.html

Before applying, review competition guidelines carefully, including eligibility, fees, and usage rights. Competitions can be highly selective, but they are also valuable tools for gaining exposure and strengthening your CV. Choose opportunities aligned with your goals, apply thoughtfully, and remember that each submission builds momentum over time.