12 international competitions for artists and photographers in the second half of 2026 — prizes, exhibitions and open calls

We have prepared this selection for artists, photographers and visual creators looking for international art competitions for artists and photographers with upcoming deadlines in the second half of 2026. It brings together international open calls, art awards and contemporary art competitions that offer cash prizes, exhibition opportunities, international publications and valuable professional connections.
The competitions are arranged by application deadline — from the closest deadlines to the later ones — making it easier to choose opportunities that you still have enough time to prepare for without rushing.
It is important to remember that a competition is about much more than winning a prize. For many artists and photographers, participating is an opportunity to present their practice to an international jury, connect with curators, be featured in professional catalogues, exhibitions and publications.
That is why we briefly explain who each opportunity is best suited for, when it makes sense to apply, and what key details should be considered before submitting an application.

COPIC AWARD 2026
An international illustration competition offering cash prizes of up to $1,500, professional COPIC marker sets, publications and international exhibition exposure for finalists.
Best suited if: you work in illustration, graphic art or traditional media and are ready to create a new artwork using COPIC markers.
May not be suitable if: you do not use COPIC materials or are not prepared to send the original artwork if selected as a finalist.
Application deadline — 30 June 2026.

Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2026
One of the world’s best-known international wildlife photography competitions. The overall winner receives a Kenyan safari, Nikon photography equipment, ThinkTank cash prizes and the title of Comedy Wildlife Photographer of the Year, while finalists gain international publications and exhibition opportunities.
Best suited if: you photograph wildlife and animals and enjoy capturing genuine, emotional or unexpected moments without staging them.
May not be suitable if: your work was created using AI, excessive digital manipulation, or features domestic or captive animals.
Application deadline — 30 June 2026.

BUAT Curatorial Award 2026
International competition for contemporary artists, where the winner receives a 10-day solo exhibition in Barcelona, curatorial support, professional exhibition documentation, and inclusion in the BUAT gallery exhibition programme.
Suitable if: you want to present your artistic practice to a European audience and are ready for a solo exhibition.
May not be suitable if: you are looking for a cash grant or are not prepared to submit a complete portfolio and exhibition project.
Application deadline — 30 June 2026.

Joan Wakelin Award 2026
An international award established by the Royal Photographic Society in partnership with The Guardian for photographers working with documentary and socially engaged subjects. The winner receives £2,000 to produce a new photographic project and the opportunity to present their idea to the international professional photography community.
Suitable if: you work in documentary photography, photojournalism, or explore socially significant issues through photography.
May not be suitable if: you are looking for a competition for completed or previously published projects, or if your work falls outside documentary and socially engaged photography.
Application deadline — 6 July 2026.

Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize
International contemporary art competition with a $76,000 prize fund, publications in Beautiful Bizarre Magazine and international exhibition visibility for artists working in realistic and imaginative realism traditions.
Suitable if: you work in a realistic or imaginative realist style and want to present your work to an international professional community.
May not be suitable if: your works are created using generative AI or do not belong to representational art.
Application deadline — 17 July 2026.

Homiens Art Prize
International competition for artists with no thematic restrictions, where more than $12,000 in cash awards is distributed, and winners, finalists and highlighted participants receive publications and professional promotion through the international curatorial platform Homiens.
Suitable if: you want to submit an existing portfolio, work in any visual medium and are looking for a competition with international visibility.
May not be suitable if: you are looking for free participation without an entry fee or a program focused only on a specific theme.
Application deadline — 29 July 2026.

Prix Camera Clara
An international award for photographers working with large-format cameras, where the winner receives €8,000, an exhibition opportunity, professional recognition, and the chance to present their photographic series to the international community.
Suitable if: you work with a large-format camera and are ready to submit a completed, previously unpublished photographic series.
May not be suitable if: you use other camera formats or wish to submit individual images instead of a cohesive series.
Application deadline — 31 July 2026.

International Digital Art Contest 2026
An international open call for digital artists, where the best projects will be presented simultaneously at an international exhibition in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the Spatial virtual gallery, included in a digital catalogue, and the winners will receive the Grand Prix and special jury awards.
Suitable if: you work with digital art, digital photography, animation, NFT or experimental visual practices and create original digital artworks without using AI.
May not be suitable if: your project focuses on commercial design, advertising, applied graphics, or was created using generative AI.
Application deadline — 1 August 2026.

Eamonn McCabe Fellowship
An international fellowship for photographers under the age of 30, with the winner receiving £3,000 to produce a new photographic project, professional mentoring, and publication through the Royal Photographic Society and The Guardian.
Suitable if: you are under 31, work in documentary, journalistic or artistic photography, and are ready to create a new project on the theme of sporting achievement.
May not be suitable if: you are already 31 or older, or wish to submit a previously published or completed photographic project.
Application deadline — 3 August 2026.

British Art Prize 2026
An international contemporary art competition with a £10,000 prize fund, where winners and finalists receive an exhibition in London, publication in Artists & Illustrators magazine, and the opportunity to present their work to an international audience.
Suitable if: you work in painting, drawing, photography, sculpture or mixed media and are ready to participate in an international exhibition.
May not be suitable if: you are not prepared to arrange shipping and return of your artworks if selected as a finalist, or if you are looking for a competition without an entry fee.
Application deadline — 7 August 2026.

Eurostars Grand Marina Photography Award
An international photography competition dedicated to architecture, urban environments and the visual exploration of space. Winners receive cash prizes of up to €5,000, participation in the exhibition programme and the opportunity to present their work to an international audience.
Suitable if: you work with architectural photography, visual storytelling, urban landscapes or create conceptual photo series.
May not be suitable if: you want to submit a single image instead of a series or use AI to create or substantially edit your images.
Application deadline — 20 October 2026.

Larnaca Biennale 2027
An international contemporary art biennale where selected artists will exhibit their work in Larnaca, while the winners will receive 13 international awards and honorary titles, including the Grand Prix and the WAVA “Artist of the World” and “Artist of the Mediterranean” awards.
Suitable if: you work in contemporary art, photography, video, installation, performance or interdisciplinary practices and want to present a project at an international biennale.
May not be suitable if: you are not prepared to arrange the shipping and return of your artworks yourself or pay the registration fee.
Application deadline — 31 March 2027.