Obra Abierta 2026 — international contemporary art competition with a €10,000 prize and exhibition in Spain
Sometimes, submitting an entry can be more than just taking part in a competition; it can be an opportunity to showcase one’s work in an international context for the first time, alongside artists from different countries. This is precisely the format of the Spanish competition Obra Abierta — an international contemporary art prize where selected works become part of a major exhibition and an important international professional context.
The competition is open to artists of any nationality and country of residence, and entries are accepted in five categories: painting, photography, sculpture, digital art and video, as well as artistic intervention/installation. It is particularly important that the organisers accept both more classical forms and works at the intersection of media and contemporary art.
The main prize is €10,000, with an additional €5,000 acquisition fund. However, the competition is not built around the cash prize alone. Selected artists will take part in the Obra Abierta exhibition in Spain, and the organisers specifically highlight the possibility of further touring exhibitions and the presentation of works in various exhibition formats.
Who should apply
The competition is particularly relevant for artists who:
— work with a contemporary visual language;
— wish to add an international exhibition to their CV;
— are looking for an opportunity to reach beyond the local scene;
— create large-scale paintings, photographs or mixed-media works;
— work in digital art, video or installation.
It is also a good option for artists who have not yet participated in major European open calls. The application form is fairly straightforward and does not require a complex project description — in fact, the main focus is on the work itself and brief information about it.
Important points to note before submitting an entry
Each participant may submit only one work created after 2024. The work must be original and must not have been previously exhibited in public, including exhibitions, screenings or other public presentations.
The competition also has technical requirements:
— painting: 85 to 250 cm;
— photography: 85 to 180 cm;
— video: up to 10 minutes;
— sculptures and installations must be suitable for transport.
It is worth paying particular attention to logistics: if a work is selected,the artist is responsible for covering the cost of shipping the piece to Spain. The organisers will arrange for its return after the exhibition.
Why this competition is really worth paying attention to
Many open calls offer attractive prizes, but they don’t always have a strong institutional framework supporting the project. Here, the situation is different: the jury comprises curators and specialists associated with ARCO, IVAM, the Museo Reina Sofía and major European institutions of contemporary art. Among the jury members are Rosina Gómez-Baeza, former director of ARCO, Blanca de la Torre, Lucía Ybarra and other renowned curators and art managers.
This does not guarantee victory or a career breakthrough, but it creates an important professional context: the participants’ works are reviewed by curators and specialists who work directly with international art institutions and exhibition projects.
How to apply
Applications are submitted online via the form on the competition website. You will need to provide some basic personal details, add a brief description of your work and its technical specifications, and upload images of your artwork. For digital art and video, digital submissions are permitted. After registering, participants will receive a confirmation and an application code.
If you do not yet have a perfectly polished artist statement or CV, this is not seen as a critical barrier to participation. In this application process, the visual strength of the work and its ability to engage the jury are far more important.
The deadline for applications is 27 May 2026.
