[Sponsored Listing] Tartget Lab announces a call for artists from around the world to participate in the Tartget Prize 2026, an international painting competition. The competition was created to deliver real visibility, professional evaluation, and global projection for artists worldwide. After a breakthrough first edition with 1,870 entries from 85 countries, the prize returns with expanded opportunities and a stronger network of collectors, galleries, and institutions.
Click here for the application / registration
Enter by: 15 February 2026
Artists can submit works in figurative, contemporary, abstract, conceptual, watercolor, and drawing categories. Finalists gain international exposure and a chance to exhibit in Madrid. A unique pre-deadline offers 75 direct finalist spots for entries submitted by February 15, 2026.
Tartget Prize: Artist Benefits
Few contests offer a major Madrid exhibition at the historic Ateneo, steps from the Prado in the UNESCO “Landscape of Light,” alongside a truly international jury of renowned painters, curators, and art experts. The competition welcomes diverse styles and techniques while judging categories with specialized expertise, ensuring fairness and relevance. Winners receive promotion through Tartget and sponsors’ social channels, including leading fine art brands, reaching global audiences. Add the 75 guaranteed finalist places awarded before the pre-deadline, and Tartget becomes a strategic launchpad for careers.
- Over $100,000 in awards. Cash awards include Gold Tartget (Best in Show) $14,000, Silver $7,000, Bronze $4,700, and Fusion Tartget $4,700 for abstraction, conceptual art, and collage.
- New in 2026: technical awards for Drawing ($4,700) and Watercolor ($4,700).
- Additional opportunities include acquisition awards, major fine art materials prizes, professional promotion awards, and four fully curated 12-day artist residencies in Spain’s Tablas de Daimiel National Park, plus training at Atelier Madrid and a final exhibition in Madrid.
Testimonials
“Exhibiting and being awarded at the Ateneo de Madrid truly changed my life. After the prize, I received invitations to exhibit, sell, and collaborate internationally. More than the award itself, it was the visibility and recognition that transformed my professional path. Tartget is not just a contest, it is a real opportunity for artists who are serious about their work.”
“Tartget Painting Prize was a turning point in my career. From the selection process to the final exhibition, everything was handled with care and respect for the artists. Exhibiting in Madrid, in such an iconic venue, gave my work an international context and credibility that still opens doors for me today.”
“I have entered many international art competitions, but Tartget was different from the very beginning. The communication was professional, the jury truly understood painting, and the exposure was real, not symbolic. Being selected placed my work in front of collectors and curators I would never have reached on my own. It felt like a serious platform, not just another contest.”
About Tartget Lab
Tartget Lab stands out for combining top-tier prizes with exceptional visibility and rigorous selection.
For more information, contact ceo@tartgetpaintingprize.com.
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[Side Arts Certified Sponsored Listing] Oil Painters of America (OPA) announces a call for artists for the 35th National Exhibition of Traditional Oils, hosted by the Steamboat Art Museum in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, on view May 29–August 29, 2026.
This exceptional exhibition will showcase the finest works in draftsmanship, color, and composition, featuring a diverse range of styles and subjects.
Click here for the application / registration
Enter by: 6 March 2026
OPA membership required. Over $100,000 in awards, including a $25,000 Best in Show!
Joining Oil Painters of America connects artists across North America who are dedicated to excellence in representational oil painting. Members gain access to free educational webinars, exclusive discounts on art products, and opportunities for professional growth and recognition through workshops, exhibitions, and networking with fellow artists.
Entering the National Exhibition of Traditional Oils provides a prestigious platform to showcase your work, compete for over $100,000 in awards, including a $25,000 Best in Show, and exhibit at the Steamboat Art Museum. Participants gain national exposure among collectors, galleries, and peers, while elevating their skills and reputation in the oil painting community.
About Oil Painters of America
Oil Painters of America (OPA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the timeless art of representational oil painting. With over 3,500 members across North America, OPA connects artists of all levels in a vibrant, supportive community where creativity thrives. Members gain access to prestigious national juried exhibitions, inspiring online showcases, and the annual convention featuring a wet paint competition, paint-outs, workshops, and live demonstrations. Exclusive webinars, scholarships, and art-product discounts provide tools to grow and experiment, while networking opportunities bring together passionate artists who celebrate the beauty, skill, and tradition of oil painting.
For more information, contact lpusch@oilpaintersofamerica.com
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[Side Arts Certified Sponsored Listing] CherryArts announces a call for artists for the 2026 Cherry Creek Arts Festival in Denver, Colorado.
Join one of the nation’s premier art festivals! The festival will showcase 250 exceptional exhibitors in Denver’s vibrant Cherry Creek North. Welcoming more than 150,000 visitors each year, the festival offers strong sales potential, 2025 artists averaged $17,470 in reported sales and consistently ranks among the top shows in the country. With an art-savvy audience, many of them collectors, this is an incredible opportunity to exhibit and sell your work. CherryArts, a Denver-based nonprofit, supports artists and arts education year-round, generating over $4.5 million in annual art sales.
Click here for the application / registration
Enter by: 1 December 2025
Cherry Creek Arts Festival Artist Benefits
- Keep 100% of your sales revenue – artists retain all proceeds and handle applicable state and local sales tax.
- Strong sales potential – 2025 Artist Survey reported an average of $17,470 per artist.
- Highly engaged audience – the Cherry Creek Arts Festival attracts over 150,000 visitors annually, including loyal collectors and art enthusiasts.
- Recognition opportunities – more than $30,000 in Purchase Awards available.
- Support for emerging artists – the Emerging Artist Program offers a $5,000 grant, mentoring, and exhibition support for artists early in their careers.
Testimonial
“I’m truly grateful for an extraordinary experience. This was far away the best heart fear I have been part of. I can certainly see how it has earned a reputation of being the holy Grail of art fairs! I sincerely hope to return, should I be fortunate enough to be selected.” 2025 Artist
About CherryArts
CherryArts is a Denver-based nonprofit organization that believes access to art is for everyone and artists are essential. We are committed to supporting artists and arts education through year-round outreach programs and this iconic festival. With an estimated $4.5 million in annual art sales, the Cherry Creek Arts Festival continues to be a vital platform for artists’ success. CherryArts provides equitable access to the arts to nurture future generations of artists, learners and supporters through meaningful and authentic connections with art and artists. CherryArts ignites creative and critical thinking for over 40,000 students annually.
For more information, contact hello@cherryarts.org
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[Side Arts Certified Sponsored Listing] The City of San Bruno Culture and Arts Commission invites artists to submit proposals for a permanent outdoor sculpture to be installed at Posy Park. Located at the intersection of Huntington Avenue and San Mateo Avenue, Posy Park is a prominent public plaza situated just outside the San Bruno Caltrain station and is a gateway to downtown San Bruno, California. Additionally, the park features a tile mural commemorating the city’s history, making it a key cultural landmark and potential community gathering place.
The sculpture will serve as the focal point of a broader revitalization effort at Posy Park, which will include a repaired fountain, refreshed landscaping, new bicycle lockers, and restoration of the existing tile mural. This public art installation will enhance the visual appeal and community value of the park, helping to connect residents and visitors to San Bruno’s dynamic identity.
Click here for the application / registration
Enter by: 22 October 2025
The submission is open to all professional artists aged 18 and over. Proposals will be reviewed by an ad-hoc selection committee composed of members of the San Bruno Culture and Arts Commission. Public input with be gathered through a survey that invites community feedback based on the finalists’ proposals. The full Commission will consider the committee’s recommendation and survey results before forwarding a final recommendation to the San Bruno City Council for approval.
The Commission seeks a sculpture that is dynamic, memorable, and visually compelling. Ideal submissions will be approachable, spark curiosity and leave a lasting impression. The work should be durable, safe for public interaction, and reflective of San Bruno’s identity as a diverse, evolving community rooted in connectivity and culture. Physical dimensions include a minimum height of 6 feet and maximum height of 10 feet. The sculpture may not exceed 5 feet in width at any point.
Sculpture at Posy Park Compensation
Up to $75,000 Artist Commission
About San Bruno, California
San Bruno is a vibrant, diverse city on the San Francisco Peninsula, nestled between the cities of South San Francisco and Millbrae. With a population of approximately 42,200, San Bruno offers the welcoming feel of a small town alongside the benefits of a major metropolitan hub. The city is a key transportation nexus, offering direct access to Interstates 280 and 380, U.S. Highway 101, and close proximity to San Francisco International Airport. San Bruno is also served by BART and Caltrain, offering regional connectivity.
For more information, contact twallace@sanbruno.ca.gov
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[Side Arts Certified Sponsored Listing] The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County invites artists (both individual artists and artist teams) with interest and professional experience in creating public art and site-specific commissions to submit qualifications for an original interior public art feature at The Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.
Click here for the application / registration
Enter by: 31 August 2025
Open to professional artists or artist teams aged 18 and over. Artists living or working in Prince George’s County and the surrounding region are strongly encouraged to apply.
Since 1993, The Show Place Arena and Prince George’s Equestrian Center have enriched the cultural life and local economy of Southern Maryland. An adaptable entertainment and sports facility, the Arena has been the venue for college basketball tournaments, cheer and dance events, consumer shows, concerts, nationally-acclaimed equestrian events and the Prince George’s County Fair. Additionally, several counties host their high school graduations here, marking that important milestone for area youth and their families.
The Show Place Arena Public Art Project: Artist Benefits
Artists will be able to enhance the aesthetic of the interior Winners Circle Lounge Bar of The Showplace Arena and reflect the history, culture, or community of The Showplace Arena in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, and create an engaging and meaningful experience for visitors.
A total budget of up to $25,000 is allocated for this commission, which must cover all costs, including artist fees, design, materials, fabrication, installation, insurance, and transportation.
About The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
Founded in 1927, The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is a nationally recognized leader in land use planning, parks, and recreation achieving countless awards for innovation, stewardship and exemplary vision for enhancing the lives of current and future generations.
The agency, which is chartered by the State of Maryland, has geographic authority in the Montgomery County and Prince George’s County region, which are the two Maryland counties surrounding Washington, DC.
The agency improves the well-being of over 2 million residents and countless visitors within this region by:
- Planning for the coordinated and harmonious physical growth and development of the region
- Protecting and stewarding natural, cultural, and historical resources
- Providing an award-winning system of parks
Creating recreational experiences that enhance the quality of life of all individuals - Planning great communities that are vibrant, livable, accessible and sustainable
For more information, contact renzmbalagtas@gmail.com
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[Side Arts Certified Sponsored Listing] The Art Renewal Center announces a call for artists for The 18th International ARC Salon Competition.
When talking about competitions dedicated to 21st Century Realism, the Art Renewal Center’s International ARC Salon ® is the largest in the world, receiving over 5,000 entries from 87 countries last competition. It is no wonder why artists are entering.
Click here for the application / registration
Enter by: 12 June 2025
Categories include: figurative, portraiture, imaginative realism, drawing, landscape, still life, plein air painting, fully from life, sculpture, animals, and a special category for teens.
ARC Salon Artist Benefits
With over $130,000 in cash awards and international recognition through the ARC website, which receives over 2,000,000 visitors annually, the ARC Salon offers career changing opportunities through partnerships with prestigious magazines, museums, and galleries. Don’t miss your chance to compete!
- All winners, honorable mentions, finalists, and semi-finalists will have their entries accompanied by their name and artwork details displayed on the ARC website. Biography, photo of the artist, and painting descriptions provided during the entry process may be shown for all qualifying works.
- All winners, honorable mentions, and some finalists will be featured in the 17th/18th International ARC Salon Book, “International Realism”.
- In addition, all winners and honorable mentions will receive an award certificate suitable for framing.
Works do not need to be available for sale to win any of the awards other then Purchase Awards. Works do not need to be available to exhibit in the ARC Salon Exhibition for all awards other then FWSD Awards.
About Art Renewal Center
Leading the revival of realism in the visual arts, the Art Renewal Center ® (ARC), a 501(c)(3), non-profit, educational foundation, hosts the largest online museum dedicated to representational art and includes works by the old masters, 19th century, and 21st Century Artists as well as articles, letters, and other online resources. The ARC is the foremost and only vetting service for representational art schools ensuring that the teaching curricula and quality of teacher and student work meet strict standards to become ARC Approved.
The ARC runs the ARC Salon Competition, which is the largest and most prestigious competition in the world for realist artists painting, sculpting, and drawing today with eleven categories and thousands of works competing, culminating in a live exhibition of many of the winning works. The ARC works with other ARC Allied Organizations, artist groups, museums, and publications to become a central news hub for the 21st Century Representational Art Movement.
For more information, contact sabrina.foland@artrenewal.org
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[Side Arts Certified Sponsored Listing] PleinAir Magazine announces a call for artists for their PleinAir Salon March Art Competition. In the spirit of the French Salon created by the Academie des Beaux-Arts in Paris, this annual competition, with 12 monthly cycles, leading to the annual PleinAir Salon winners, is designed to stimulate artistic growth through competition.
This is an online competition with annual awards totaling $50,000. No mailing your artwork for an exhibition. Enter paintings for the PleinAir Salon March Art Competition whether you have won another competition or not.
Click here for the application / registration
Enter by: 31 March 2024
The Early Bird Discount ends March 15th at 11:59 pm. Enter before then to receive 25% off your entries. Just $29 for your first and $12 for each additional painting. The regular price is $38 for the first painting and $16 for each additional painting.
There are over $2,000 in cash prizes awarded each month, and $22,000 awarded at the Annual Competition each May. Each of the 23 monthly winners are included in the judging for the 13th Annual PleinAir Salon where PleinAir Magazine awards the Grand Prize winner a check for $15,000 and feature their painting on the magazine’s cover, which is the #1 representational art magazine at Barnes & Noble.
The winners of each monthly competition are automatically entered into the running for the Annual Competition and a $15,000 check!
Winners in each monthly competition may receive recognition and exposure through PleinAir magazine’s print magazine, e-newsletters, and social media. The Annual Awards will be presented live at the Plein Air Convention & Expo in May 2024.
About PleinAir Magazine
PleinAir Magazine is for plein air artists, enthusiasts, and collectors showcasing a wide variety of plein air paintings, articles on the top plein air artists of today and past, and the latest information on events and shows. The PleinAir Salon Art Competition has been awarding cash prizes and promoting artists for 12 years.
For more information, contact pleinairsalon@streamlinepublishing.com
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[Side Arts Certified Sponsored Listing] PleinAir Magazine announces a call for artists for their PleinAir Salon January Art Competition. In the spirit of the French Salon created by the Academie des Beaux-Arts in Paris, this annual competition, with 12 monthly cycles, leading to the annual PleinAir Salon winners, is designed to stimulate artistic growth through competition.
This is an online competition with annual awards totaling $50,000. No mailing your artwork for an exhibition. Enter paintings for the PleinAir Salon January Art Competition whether you have won another competition or not.
Click here for the application / registration
Enter by: 31 January 2024
The Early Bird Discount ends January 15th at 11:59 pm. Enter before then to receive 25% off your entries. Just $29 for your first and $12 for each additional painting. The regular price is $38 for the first painting and $16 for each additional painting.
There are over $2,000 in cash prizes awarded each month, and $22,000 awarded at the Annual Competition each May. Each of the 23 monthly winners are included in the judging for the 13th Annual PleinAir Salon where PleinAir Magazine awards the Grand Prize winner a check for $15,000 and feature their painting on the magazine’s cover, which is the #1 representational art magazine at Barnes & Noble. The winners of each monthly competition are automatically entered into the running for the Annual Competition and a $15,000 check!
Winners in each monthly competition may receive recognition and exposure through PleinAir magazine’s print magazine, e-newsletters, and social media. The Annual Awards will be presented live at the Plein Air Convention & Expo in May 2024.
About PleinAir Magazine
PleinAir Magazine is for plein air artists, enthusiasts, and collectors showcasing a wide variety of plein air paintings, articles on the top plein air artists of today and past, and the latest information on events and shows. The PleinAir Salon Art Competition has been awarding cash prizes and promoting artists for 12 years.
For more information, contact pleinairsalon@streamlinepublishing.com
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[Side Arts Certified Sponsored Listing] PleinAir Magazine announces a call for artists for their PleinAir Salon December Art Competition. In the spirit of the French Salon created by the Academie des Beaux-Arts in Paris, this annual competition, with 12 monthly cycles, leading to the annual PleinAir Salon winners, is designed to stimulate artistic growth through competition.
This is an online competition with annual awards totaling $50,000. No mailing your artwork for an exhibition. Enter paintings for the PleinAir Salon December Art Competition whether you have won another competition or not.
Click here for the application / registration
Enter by: 31 December 2023
The Early Bird Discount ends December 15th at 11:59 pm. Enter before then to receive 25% off your entries. Just $29 for your first and $12 for each additional painting. The regular price is $38 for the first painting and $16 for each additional painting.
There are over $2,000 in cash prizes awarded each month, and $22,000 awarded at the Annual Competition each May. Each of the 23 monthly winners are included in the judging for the 13th Annual PleinAir Salon where PleinAir Magazine awards the Grand Prize winner a check for $15,000 and feature their painting on the magazine’s cover, which is the #1 representational art magazine at Barnes & Noble. Winners in each monthly competition may receive recognition and exposure through PleinAir magazine’s print magazine, e-newsletters, and social media. The Annual Awards will be presented live at the Plein Air Convention & Expo in May 2024.
About PleinAir Magazine
PleinAir Magazine is for plein air artists, enthusiasts, and collectors showcasing a wide variety of plein air paintings, articles on the top plein air artists of today and past, and the latest information on events and shows. The PleinAir Salon Art Competition has been awarding cash prizes and promoting artists for 12 years.
For more information, contact pleinairsalon@streamlinepublishing.com
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[Side Arts Certified Sponsored Listing] PleinAir Magazine announces a call for artists for their PleinAir Salon September Art Competition. In the spirit of the French Salon created by the Academie des Beaux-Arts in Paris, this annual competition, with 12 monthly cycles, leading to the annual PleinAir Salon winners, is designed to stimulate artistic growth through competition.
This is an online competition with annual awards totaling $50,000. No mailing your artwork for an exhibition. Enter paintings for the PleinAir Salon September Art Competition whether you have won another competition or not.
Click here for the application / registration
Enter by: 30 September 2023
The Early Bird Discount ends September 15th at 11:59 pm. Enter before then to receive 25% off your entries. Just $29 for your first and $12 for each additional painting. The regular price is $38 for the first painting and $16 for each additional painting.
There are over $2,000 in cash prizes awarded each month, and $22,000 awarded at the Annual Competition each May. Each of the 23 monthly winners are included in the judging for the 13th Annual PleinAir Salon where PleinAir Magazine awards the Grand Prize winner a check for $15,000 and feature their painting on the magazine’s cover, which is the #1 representational art magazine at Barnes & Noble. Winners in each monthly competition may receive recognition and exposure through PleinAir magazine’s print magazine, e-newsletters, and social media. The Annual Awards will be presented live at the Plein Air Convention & Expo in May 2024.
About PleinAir Magazine
PleinAir Magazine is for plein air artists, enthusiasts, and collectors showcasing a wide variety of plein air paintings, articles on the top plein air artists of today and past, and the latest information on events and shows. The PleinAir Salon Art Competition has been awarding cash prizes and promoting artists for 12 years.
For more information, contact pleinairsalon@streamlinepublishing.com.