Art Prizes: A Complete Overview

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The Art Prize Explained

Art prizes hold a pivotal role in the contemporary art world, not only as recognition of artistic excellence but also as catalysts for innovation, dialogue, and career advancement. These prestigious competitions provide artists with a platform to showcase their creative prowess, enabling them to reach a broader audience and connect with fellow artists, but also attracting curators, collectors, critics, gallery directors, and more. In this article, we delve into the significance of art prizes, offering an overview of the 20 most influential contests that have left an indelible mark on the art world’s canvas, contributing to the budding career of numerous talented artists. Furthermore, we illuminate the avenues through which emerging artists alike can discover art prizes tailored to their personal needs and career, each holding the potential to propel their careers to new heights and nurture their artistic journey.

Throughout history, art accolades have been conferred upon artists by various entities, encompassing heads of state, academies affiliated with governments, or private sponsors. The famous Prix de Rome instituted in 1666, contained a stipend that facilitated laureates to immerse themselves in creative endeavors for three to five years in Rome. During the 19th century, these awards encountered recurrent censure due to their perceived inclination to reinforce the ascendancy of well-established artists and existing paradigms of artistic valuation and the prevalent dominance of art academies—referred to as Academism. However, in today’s art world, the mission of art prizes generally aims to achieve to opposite, challenging existing paradigms. Instead, art prizes support innovation, rethinking artistic conventions in search of emerging and possibly unknown talent. As a result, one could define the art prize as the following;

Art prizes are recurring—most often yearly—competitions with an open-call policy for artists orchestrated by either governmental bodies or private entities to discover new artistic talent, providing critical recognition and art world validation, fostering discourse and public engagement in contemporary art.

With art prizes, artists submit their work for evaluation and consideration by a panel of judges, experts, or the general public. The purpose of these contests or prizes is to identify and honor exceptional artistic talent, promote creativity, and provide artists with opportunities for exposure, financial support, and professional advancement, celebrating the selected artists or finalists in an exhibition where the awards are announced, followed by a money prize, exhibition, residency, or grant. By doing so, they provide artists with a platform to establish their identities and capture the attention of curators, collectors, and potential patrons and collaborations. Some art prizes focus on specific nationalities, artistic disciplines, genres, age groups, themes, etc.

Let’s expand on these different particularities of art prizes by discussing and presenting a reasoned selection of the world’s 20 most significant art prizes—please note this recital is not a ranking as the awards are alphabetically listed. Make sure to read until the end of this article to discover where you can find art prizes to improve your art career, including some application advice and critical indicators of a good art contest.

20 of the World’s Most Important Art Prizes

1. ArtPrize

ArtPrize is an annual international art competition in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the United States of America. Founded in 2009, it is unique in its format as it allows artists worldwide to participate and exhibit their work in various venues throughout the city. The competition aims to engage the public, artists, and art professionals in a dynamic conversation about art and culture. One of the distinctive features of ArtPrize is that the winners are determined through a combination of public voting and a jury of art experts.

Past winners: Christian Reichle & Monica Pritchard, Le’Andra LeSeur, and Richard Schlatter
Price: $200.000
Website

2. Bucksbaum Award

The Bucksbaum Award, also known as the Bucksbaum Award for Contemporary Art, is a biennial art award presented by the Whitney Museum of American Art. The award was established in 2000 through a generous endowment from the Martin Bucksbaum Family Foundation. It aimed to recognize and honor artists who have produced significant work in the field of contemporary art.

Past winners: Ralph Lemon, Tiona Nekkia McCloden, and Pope L.
Price: $100.000
Website

3. Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation Prize

The Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation Prize, often referred to simply as the Deutsche Börse Photography Prize, is a prestigious annual award recognizing and celebrating significant contributions to contemporary photography. The Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation organizes the prize in collaboration with The Photographers’ Gallery in London, United Kingdom. The award aims to honor photographers and artists who have demonstrated excellence, innovation, and originality in photography. It recognizes both established photographers and those who are emerging on the international stage.

Past winners: Samuel Fosso, Deana Lawson, and Cao Fei
Price: $30.000
Website

4. Future Generation Art Prize

The Future Generation Art Prize is a biennial international contemporary art prize established by the Victor Pinchuk Foundation in 2009. This prize is unique in its focus on supporting and recognizing the work of young artists around the world. It aims to provide a platform for emerging artists to showcase their creative endeavors and contribute to the global art discourse. The Future Generation Art Prize is open to artists up to the age of 35, regardless of their nationality or artistic medium. The prize encompasses a broad spectrum of artistic practices, including painting, sculpture, installation, video art, and more. It encourages a diverse range of perspectives and approaches, reflecting the evolving landscape of contemporary art.

Past winners: Aziz Hazara, Emilija Škarnulytė, and Dineo Seshee Bopape
Price: $100.000
Website

5. Hasselblad Foundation International Award in Photography

The Hasselblad Foundation International Award in Photography is a prestigious recognition presented annually to an individual or group that has made significant contributions to the field of photography. Named after Victor Hasselblad, the Swedish inventor, and photographer who founded the renowned Hasselblad camera company, the award acknowledges exceptional achievements and innovations in photography, spanning various genres and approaches. The award is one of the most esteemed accolades in the world of photography. It recognizes both established photographers with extensive bodies of work and emerging talents who have shown promising potential. The recipients’ work often demonstrates a commitment to pushing the boundaries of the medium, exploring new techniques, concepts, and narratives.

Past winners: Carrie Mae Weems, Alfredo Jaar, and Oscar Muñoz
Price: $200.000
Website

6. Hugo Boss Prize

The Hugo Boss Prize is a highly prestigious biennial award for contemporary art, sponsored by the fashion brand Hugo Boss in partnership with the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation. Established in 1996, the prize is one of the most significant awards in the art world, recognizing and honoring artists who have made substantial contributions to contemporary art and demonstrating exceptional creativity, innovation, and influence. The Hugo Boss Prize is open to artists of any nationality working in various artistic mediums and disciplines. It serves as a platform to showcase and celebrate the diverse practices and concepts that contemporary artists engage with. The prize aims to support artists’ continued exploration of their craft and to offer them an opportunity to develop new projects.

Past winners: Simone Leigh, Anichka Yi, and Paul Chan
Price: $110.000
Website

7. John Moores Painting Prize

The John Moores Painting Prize is a prestigious biennial painting competition in the United Kingdom. Established in 1957 by Sir John Moores, a British philanthropist and founder of the Littlewoods retail company, the prize aims to promote and celebrate the practice of painting while recognizing and supporting talented contemporary painters. The competition is open to artists from the UK and worldwide, inviting them to submit their original paintings for consideration. The John Moores Painting Prize is known for its commitment to showcasing a diverse range of painting styles, techniques, and approaches. The prize values innovation, creativity, and the exploration of new artistic directions within the medium of painting.

Past winners: Katheryne Maple, Jacqui Hallum, and Michael Simpson
Price: $25.000
Website

8. Lise Wilhelmsen Art Award Programme

The Lise Wilhelmsen Art Award Programme (LWAAP) emerges from a collaboration between the Lise and Arne Wilhelmsen family and Norway’s Henie Onstad Art Centre (Henie Onstad Kunstsenter). This partnership signifies the continuation of a longstanding relationship between the family and Henie Onstad, alongside their shared dedication to promoting the arts. The LWAAP operates on a biennial basis and stands as the largest of its kind in Norway, holding significant prominence on the international stage of art award programs. For the Norwegian audience, the program offers a unique opportunity to acquaint themselves with eminent international artists within a Norwegian context.

Past winners: Alia Farid, Guadalupe Maravilla, and Otobong Nkanga
Price: $100.000
Website

9. Lumen Prize

The Lumen Prize is an international art competition and award dedicated to digital art. It was established in 2012 with the goal of recognizing, celebrating, and promoting artists working in the realm of digital and new media art. The prize is open to artists from around the world who utilize digital tools, technologies, and mediums to create their artwork. The Lumen Prize covers a wide range of digital art forms, including Moving Image Award, 3D/Interactive Award, Immersive Environment Award, Metaversal Generative Award, and more.

Past winners: Julieta Gil, Refik Anadol, and Mario Klingeman
Price: $4.000
Website

10. Mohn Award

The Mohn Award at the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles is a prestigious art prize associated with the annual “Made in L.A.” exhibition. “Made in L.A.” is a biennial exhibition that focuses on contemporary art and features a wide range of works by artists based in the Los Angeles area. The Mohn Award is named after its sponsor, the Mohn Family Foundation. This award is one of the prizes given as part of the “Made in L.A.” exhibition. It recognizes the work of an artist participating in the exhibition and provides both recognition and financial support to further their artistic practice.

Past winners: Kandis Williams, Lauren Halsey, and Alice Könitz
Price: $100.000
Website

11. Nasher Prize

The Nasher Prize is a distinguished international art award that recognizes outstanding contributions to the field of sculpture. Named after the Raymond and Patsy Nasher Foundation and established in 2015 by the Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas, Texas, the Nasher Prize honors artists who have significantly advanced the understanding and appreciation of sculpture. The prize is awarded annually to an individual or collaborative team who has demonstrated exceptional innovation, creativity, and mastery within the realm of sculpture. The Nasher Prize includes a substantial monetary award, as well as the opportunity for the recipient to engage with the global art community through various events, exhibitions, and educational initiatives. The award emphasizes the importance of sculpture as a dynamic and transformative medium that pushes artistic boundaries and engages with critical themes and ideas.

Past winners: Senga Nengudi, Nairy Baghramian, and Michael Rakowitz
Price: $100.000
Website

12. Nomura Art Award

The Nomura Art Award is an art prize established by the Nomura Foundation, which is associated with Nomura Holdings, a prominent financial services group based in Japan. The award aims to recognize and support the work of contemporary artists who have made significant contributions to the art world and whose impact resonates on a global scale. The Nomura Art Award is notable for its substantial monetary value, which is one of the highest cash awards for visual artists, a whopping one million dollar award, including additional $100.000 Emerging Artist awards. The award is intended to provide artists with the financial resources and freedom to develop their artistic practice further, explore new creative directions, and realize ambitious projects.

Past winners: Doris Salcedo (Nomura Art Award), Cheng Rang (Emerging Artist Award), and Cameron Rowland (Emerging Artist Award)
Price: $1.000.000
Website

13. Prix Marcel Duchamp

The Prix Marcel Duchamp is a prestigious contemporary art award that is given annually to a French artist. It was established in 2000 by the Association pour la Diffusion Internationale de l’Art Français (ADIAF), an organization that promotes French contemporary art both nationally and internationally. The prize is named after the renowned French artist Marcel Duchamp, who is known for his groundbreaking contributions to Dada, Modern, and Conceptual Art. The Prix Marcel Duchamp recognizes and supports emerging and mid-career artists working in France. The award aims to promote innovative and thought-provoking artistic practices, celebrating artists who demonstrate exceptional creativity, originality, and impact in their work, followed by an exhibition in the Centre Pompidou in Paris.

Past winners: Mimosa Echard, Lili Reynaud Dewar, and Kapwani Kiwanga
Price: $40.000
Website

14. Roswitha Haftmann Prize

The Roswitha Haftmann Prize is a prestigious annual international art award that honors outstanding contributions to the field of contemporary art. Established by the Roswitha Haftmann Foundation, the prize is named after the Swiss art collector Roswitha Haftmann, who had a deep appreciation for modern and contemporary art. The foundation was founded in her memory to support and promote the arts. One of the distinguishing features of the Roswitha Haftmann Prize is its emphasis on recognizing artists for their entire body of work and their ongoing contributions to the art world. It’s not tied to a specific project or exhibition but acknowledges the artist’s overall impact and trajectory.

Past winners: Cildo Meireles, Gülsün Karamustafa, and VALIE EXPORT
Price: $150.000
Website

15. Sobey Award

The Sobey Art Award is one of Canada’s most prestigious art prizes, recognizing and celebrating the achievements of emerging artists from across the country. Established in 2002 by the Sobey Art Foundation, the award aims to raise the profile of Canadian contemporary art and provide financial support to emerging artists at a critical point in their careers and is organized in collaboration with the National Gallery of Canada. The Sobey Art Award is unique in its structure and approach. It consists of a multi-stage process that involves regional selection committees and a national jury. The award is open to artists aged 40 and under who have exhibited their work professionally. Artists are nominated by curators from different regions of Canada, representing both English and French-speaking areas. The award is divided into five regional categories: Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, Prairies and North, and West Coast and Yukon. Each region has its own shortlist of artists, and one finalist is selected from each region to compete for the overall Sobey Art Award. The winner of the Sobey Art Award receives a substantial monetary prize, while the remaining four finalists receive monetary prizes as well.

Past winners: Divya Mehra, Laakkukluk Williamson Bathory, and Stephanie Comilang
Price: $100.000
Website

16. Suzanne Deal Booth/FLAG Art Foundation Prize

Suzanne Deal Booth/FLAG Art Foundation Prize was established through a collaboration between philanthropist Suzanne Deal Booth and the FLAG Art Foundation; the prize is designed to promote artistic innovation, creativity, and critical engagement within the realm of contemporary art and is named after its benefactor, Suzanne Deal Booth, who is known for her support of the arts and cultural initiatives. The FLAG Art Foundation, a nonprofit arts institution based in New York City, partners with Suzanne Deal Booth to administer the prize and support the chosen artists. The award is accompanied by a solo exhibition at the FLAG Art Foundation, including an exhibition catalog, resulting in a total value of $800.000.

Past winners: Lubaina Himid, Tarek Atoui, and Nicole Eisenman
Price: $200.000 + 600.000 for catalog and exhibition
Website

17. The Praemium Imperiale

The Praemium Imperiale is a prestigious international art award, presented annually by the Japan Art Association, that recognizes outstanding achievements in the fields of painting, sculpture, architecture, music, and theater/film, and is considered one of the most distinguished cultural honors in the world. Established in 1988 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Japan Art Association, the Praemium Imperiale is often referred to as the “Nobel Prize of the Arts.” The award acknowledges individuals and groups who have made significant contributions to the arts and have had a profound impact on global culture and society. The recipients of the Praemium Imperiale receive a substantial monetary award, as well as a gold medal and a testimonial letter from the honorary patron of the Japan Art Association, Prince Hitachi.

Past winners: Pierre Alechinsky, Ai Weiwei, and William Kentridge
Price: $135.000
Website

18. Turner Prize

The Turner Prize is one of the most prestigious and widely recognized contemporary art awards in the United Kingdom. Established in 1984, the prize is named after the British landscape painter J.M.W. Turner and is presented annually to an artist under the age of 50, living, working, or born in Britain, for an outstanding exhibition or presentation of their work in the past year. The Turner Prize is known for its role in stimulating public discussion about contemporary art and its ability to provoke debate and controversy. The award has played a significant role in shaping the trajectory of British art, often reflecting the evolving trends, themes, and approaches within the contemporary art world.

Past winners: Wolfgang Tillmans, Martin Creed, and Richard Wright
Price: $30.000
Website

19. Wolfgang Hahn Prize

The Wolfgang Hahn Prize is a prestigious international art award that is presented by the Society for Modern Art at the Museum Ludwig in Cologne, Germany. Established in 1994, the prize is named after Wolfgang Hahn, a significant patron of the arts and a longtime supporter of the Museum Ludwig. The Wolfgang Hahn Prize is awarded annually to contemporary artists who have demonstrated exceptional innovation, creativity, and influence within the field of contemporary art. The prize is open to artists of any nationality and covers a wide range of artistic mediums, including painting, sculpture, installation, video art, photography, and more.

Past winners: Francis Alÿs, Frank Bowling, and Marcel Odenbach
Price: $100.000
Website

20. Zurich Art Prize

The Zurich Art Prize is an art award presented by the City of Zurich in Switzerland and is open to artists working in various artistic disciplines; intended to provide artists with recognition, visibility, and financial support to further their artistic practice, create new work, and engage in innovative projects, providing a monetary award of approximately $100.000 and a solo exhibition at the Museum Haus Konstruktiv in Zürich, Switzerland.

Past winners: Damián Ortega, Kapwani Kiwanga, and Sonia Kacem
Price: $100.000
Website

Where & How To Find the Best Open Calls for Art Prizes?

This recital of prestigious art prizes might be very impressive and appealing. However, please note that these awards are at the highest level and might not be the right contests for you—yet. Therefore, it is important to search for art contests beyond this scope of high-end art awards, encompassing local, national, and entry-level prizes first. Thus, starting to climb up the ladder of the art world in terms of critical recognition, a symbolic and meaningful validation of the art world, and possibly, a very nice and most welcome cash prize. In our experience, the best platform to discover these open calls for art prizes is artenda.net. Artenda is a database compiling all the best art opportunities on a global scale for all levels and disciplines. You can filter the open calls based on your personal situation and preferences; think of filtering by age, country, or artistic discipline.

Here are some key indicators on how to identify the best art prizes;

(i) An application fee is normal, but be aware that some art prizes are run by a commercial enterprise making money with the application fees. In fact, the very best art prizes are actually free of charge or have a rather low application fee as the government, a patron of the arts, or a public institution funds them.

(ii) Make sure the art prize has a renowned jury panel. Do your research. If the art prize has actually established artists or influential art world figures in their jury, the award will be most meaningful, trustworthy, authoritative, and respected. This is another way to distinguish the good art prizes that aim to support the arts and discover emerging talent from the so-called vanity art prizes that aim to make money on the back of artists via the application fees.

(iii) If the art prize has a long-standing history of past winners who became established artists after their participation, the award and jury are clearly doing a great job and have actual influence when it comes to the further career of the laureates. Once more, doing your research is essential.

(iv) Another important indicator or characteristic of a good art prize is when there is an actual exhibition at the end of the award, showcasing the selected artists, finalists, or a solo exhibition of the laureate. Avoid art prizes that happen only online and do not have a physical show or ceremony—most likely, those online art competitions are vanity art prizes.

(v) To conclude, when the art prize is organized or hosted by a respected art world entity—think of a public institution, a government institution, a renowned art magazine, an art foundation, or even an art magazine or gallery—the art prize will be meaningful. On the other hand, avoid art contests hosted by an online blog, Instagram page, or in some cases, an unknown online art magazine.

Now it is up to you! Find art opportunities at artenda.net. Do your research and find the art prizes that are best suited to your career level and work. But even more, make sure to be ready; have a solid, consistent, and mature body of works, an industry-approved artist website, a professional artist bio, an artist resume that is set up following the unwritten rules of the art world, and more. For more guidance and information on how to be ready as an artist to have the best chances for success—with art prizes and beyond—make sure to visit our overview with career advice for artists.

Last Updated on September 12, 2024