How to Win Art Competitions

Art competitions are a great way for artists to promote themselves and their artwork with the chance for coverage, exhibitions and even some cash prizes. There are thousands of art competitions every year, from painting competitions, textiles, ceramics, photography and sculpture. Some competitions can attract a huge number of entries, but your work could be just what they are looking for. So how do you give yourself the best chance for success? Here are seven tips to help you win an art competition.

1. Pick the right competition

There are literally thousands of art competitions out there. Entering all of them would be more than a full-time job, leaving you no time to create the entries.

It sounds obvious, but read the entry requirements carefully. It might sound like a good fit, but there might be exclusions on closer examination. Visit the official competition site for the rules/latest information before you start your entry. They will have up-to-date information on fees, closing dates and any requirement for in-person exhibitions.

Ask yourself:

• Medium: Am I working in the right medium? If it is a drawing competition does that mean the competition will accept oil pastels? Drawing, painting, photography and 3D work can be widely defined. You need to ensure that the general medium they are looking for includes yours.
• Geography: Can I enter? Eligibility can mean you need to be from a certain part of the country or world. There may also be other criteria, such as age, social group and level of professionalism.
• Exhibitions: Do I need to deliver my work somewhere? If you are entering an international competition and there is an exhibition, you will need to consider the size of your work and whether it can be shipped.
• Cost: Competitions will usually have a small fee attached to each entry of $15 to $30 per entry. If you enter three works this might add up. And entering several competitions a year can easily leave you out of pocket for hundreds of dollars.

2. It’s not always about the money

Some competitions boast their generous prize fund. But for others, it might be prestige or an opportunity to exhibit or have your work seen that’s worth far more than a few hundred or thousand dollars.

Art competitions are a great way for artists to promote themselves and their artwork with the chance for exposure and exhibitions (in addition to cash prizes).

3. Start simple

If you have never done a competition, try something local or specific to your style or medium. The competition will be friendlier and less fierce. It will also mean you can visit any exhibition of chosen work so you can compare it to your own.

4. Network, network, network

If your work is chosen for an exhibition, you should attend the opening preview event, plus any other days you can. It’s a great opportunity to make yourself known to the competition organizers, but also any gallerists, shops or press that might be looking for the next big thing.

Have cards or postcards featuring your work (ideally the work on show) that you can hand out or leave at the exhibition venue. They should include your website and contact details too.

5. Check out the competition

By competition I mean the other entrants you are up against. The easiest way to do this is to look at previous competitions and get an idea of the standard of work they are looking for. Some competitions will exhibit hundreds of entries, so look at the winners from the previous exhibitions. And don’t forget to evaluate your work. If you don’t get chosen, look at who did.

6. Professionalism

Your entry needs to be as good as it can be. Most competitions begin with a photograph of your work. This should be as good and as close to the original as possible. The work shouldn’t include any kind of frame. The best way to get a true to life image is to scan it. You can follow our instructions on how to scan artwork or take a look at our guide to how to photograph your artwork.

Your photograph title should include your name, title of the artwork, the medium and year it was created plus anything the organizers ask for.

7. Is it a money spinner?

Some competitions — many online — are set up to make a profit. The entrance fees will often be high and the judging bar set low, with further expenses to actually show your work. These competitions often carry lower prestige within the art world.

Look for reputable competitions (such as the ones we mention in the links below). Fees in those competitions vary from free to $30 per entry.

Now you are ready!

Check out our pick of competitions: