Create your own Art Gallery Website
Register a free account and start with a free plan
Join the most exciting upcoming contests for artists and photographers of 2026! Showcase your creativity, win prizes, and gain global recognition.
Check out our full list of upcoming art and photography competitions happening soon—don’t miss your chance to shine! For previous events click here
January 2026
A major international award for emerging photographers working with portfolio-based projects.
Prize: Portfolio publication, international exposure, career advancement.
Deadline: 9 January 2026
Link: https://aperture.org/calls-for-entry/portfolio-prize/
An international photography competition celebrating artistic and documentary photography; offering cash awards, international exhibition, global recognition.
Deadline: 9 January 2026
Link: https://www.sienawards.com
One of the world’s leading photography competitions open to professionals and amateurs. Prize: Up to $25,000, Sony equipment, international exhibitions.
Deadline: 13 January 2026
Link: https://www.worldphoto.org
A recurring international grant supporting emerging visual artists worldwide and
offering $500 cash grant and international visibility.
Deadline: 15 January 2026
Link: https://artistgrant.org
The world’s most prestigious competition for photojournalism and documentary photography, offering 1000 € Cash awards, global touring exhibition, international recognition.
Deadline: 17 January 2026
Link: https://www.worldpressphoto.org
February 2026
Open call for photographers aged 18–30 to submit three photographs forming a narrative inspired by Horst P. Horst’s vision. Finalists are exhibited at Le Stanze della Fotografia during Horst P. Horst. La Geometria della Grazia and at MIA Photo Fair in Milan; public vote and prizes awarded.
Deadline: 1 February 2026
Link: https://lestanzedellafotografia.it/en/
An international competition that celebrates unique photographic skills and the art of visual storytelling. Winners receive the LITO Statuette and international prestige. Prizes: $3,000 for Professional Photographer of the Year and $2,000 for Amateur Photographer of the Year.
Early Bird Deadline: 5 February 2026
Link: https://londonphotographyawards.com/london-photography-awards.php
International photography competition open to photographers worldwide. Prizes: €1,000 (1st Prize) + Solo Exhibition + Artsy Profile + Promotion; €700 (2nd); €500 (3rd); Lavazza Blend Forward Award €300; Audience Award €300.
Early Bird Deadline: 9 February 2026
Link: https://bba-prizes.com/photography-prize
Artist residency programme set in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, open to artists of various disciplines. Participants live in a rustic cabin for at least two weeks and engage with the community through talks or demonstrations.
Deadline: 14 February 2026
Link: https://porkies.org/projects-programs/artist-in-residence/
International photography competition open to all skill levels with multiple categories including abstract, landscape, portrait, nudes, fine art, street, travel, wildlife and more. Winners receive cash prizes and titles in professional and amateur categories.
Early Bird Deadline: 15 February 2026
Link: https://fineartphotoawards.com/
This fellowship is designed to offer a creative home to emerging artists as they transition and deepen their professional careers and artistic practice. Artists are provided room, board, a private studio, and a $250 stipend per week.
Deadline: 20 February 2026
Link: https://bethanyarts.org/calendar/eafcall2026/
Prestigious global photography competition open to professional photographers worldwide. Winners receive a Hasselblad X2D II 100C camera + two XCD lenses + €5,000 cash prize, the official Hasselblad Masters title, and opportunities for publication and collaboration through Hasselblad’s global platforms and Masters book.
Deadline: 28 February 2026
Link: https://www.hasselblad.com/inspiration/masters/2026/
March 2026
This residency offers a $175/week stipend and a private studio. Established and emerging visual artists, writers, composers, and interdisciplinary artists from across the country and around the world are eligible to apply.
Deadline: March 1, 2026
Link: https://www.khncenterforthearts.org/
International photography competition focused on black & white images. Prize: $1,000 for Photographer of the Year and exhibitions in New York and Paris for all winners and finalists..
Deadline: March 2, 2026
Link: https://www.blackandwhitephotoawards.art/site/index
Belfast Photo Festival is the largest annual photography festival in the UK and Ireland. Prize: £2,000 Spotlight Award, a large-format outdoor exhibition in Belfast city center, and a touring showcase at Photo Schweiz in Switzerland.
Deadline: March 2, 2026
Link: https://www.belfastphotofestival.com/
An international competition that celebrates unique photographic skills and the art of visual storytelling. Winners receive the LITO Statuette and international prestige. Prizes: $3,000 for Professional Photographer of the Year and $2,000 for Amateur Photographer of the Year.
Deadline: March 5, 2026
Link:https://londonphotographyawards.com/london-photography-awards.php
Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery announces their 17th Annual “Abstracts” Online Art Competition. The Best in Show winner will receive a cash prize of $100, the top 12 winning artists will be promoted and circulated to hundreds of major news outlets.
Deadline: March 27, 2026
Link: https://lightspacetime.art/17th-abstracts-2026-art-competition/
These two grants support book-length academic publications based on completed dissertations or by first-time authors seeking to publish a scholarly work, as well as book-length publications tied to collections, exhibitions, and conferences. Prize: Funding from $5,000 up to $50,000 per project.
Deadline: March 31, 2026
Link: https://decorativeartstrust.org/collections-publishing-grants/
The first and longest-running iPhone photography competition since 2007. Prizes: Gold bars for top 3 overall winners and platinum/gold bars for category winners.
Deadline: March 31, 2026
April 2026
Contest focused on street photography with an exhibition in Barcelona and Ibiza; winners receive €500 for overall winner and €250 per category, plus inclusion in a public exhibition and online gallery.
Deadline: 15 April 2026
Link: https://www.streetphotographybarcelona.com/
The BarTur Photo Award celebrates photography as a powerful tool for influencing how we understand the world around us. Prize: grant award $30,000 + solo exhibition, two $5,000 emerging prizes for photographers under 30.
Deadline: 16 April, 2026
Link: https://www.barturphotoaward.org/
The International FiKVA Award for painters 2026 is a global online competition, open to all artists aged 18 or older, worldwide. First Prize: €3,500; Second Prize: €1,500; Third Prize: €500; and other prizes including art supplies and gallery representation.
Deadline: 22 April, 2026
Link: https://fikva.art/open-call/
The internationally respected Neutral Density (ND) Awards continue to be a vibrant showcase for some of the world’s most exceptional photographic talent. Over $10,000 in total cash prizes awarded to category and sub-category winners.
Early Deadline: 26 April 2026
Link: https://ndawards.net/
Over $42,500 in total cash prizes, including $10,000 for Photographer of the Year and $5,000 for Discovery of the Year.
Deadline: 30 April 2026
Link: https://www.photoawards.com/
An international competition that celebrates unique photographic skills and the art of visual storytelling. Winners receive the LITO Statuette and international prestige. Prizes: $3,000 for Professional Photographer of the Year and $2,000 for Amateur Photographer of the Year.
Final Extension Deadline: 30 April, 2026
Link:https://londonphotographyawards.com/london-photography-awards.php
May 2026
Coming soon – Stay connected
To stay updated on next contests follow us on Social Media
Register a free account and start with a free plan