Material Works Art Award 2026
Submit an online application with a portfolio of contemporary art work for a one-time $2,500 award in exchange for an original artwork to join Material Works' permanent collection.
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Get matched →- Deadline
- 97 days left
- Entry fee
- Free
- Award
- $2,500
- Location
- Chicago, Illinois, United States
About
Overview
The Material Works Art Award 2026 is a $2,500 one-time award that functions as a purchase-prize model. The selected work is acquired for the Material Works permanent collection in Chicago in exchange for the cash award. The award recognizes artistic excellence and promotes the selected artist's career advancement through increased visibility and exposure.
Eligibility
Open to visual artists working worldwide who are 18 years or older. Eligible mediums include painting, photography, installation, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, mixed-media, experimental, and conceptual art. Not accepted: music, writing/poetry, culinary, film, and time-based media. Limit of one submission per applicant.
Key Dates
- Application deadline: First 300 applications received, or December 6, 2026, whichever comes first
- Hard cap of 300 applications for the 2026 cycle
- Early submissions considered for social media features
Awards & Benefits
- Winner: $2,500 cash award
- Winner: Online profile interview and archived feature
- Winner: Featured on Material Works social media
- Winner: Invited to juror for future opportunities
- Shortlisted artists: Interviewed with archived online profile
- Shortlisted artists: Featured on social media and welcome to participate in future opportunities
Application Fee
$40.00 one-time application review fee per submission, paid via payment/PayPal link at the end of the online application form.
How to Apply
Submit an online application at https://materialworksart.com/main
- Award
- $2,500 one-time cash award in exchange for an original artwork
- Entry fee
- Free to enter
- Entries per artist
- Up to 1
- Theme
- The award supports contemporary art practices and recognizes artistic excellence while promoting career advancement through visibility and collection acquisition.
- Eligibility
- Open to visual artists working worldwide, 18 years or older; painting, photography, installation, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, mixed-media, experimental, and conceptual art eligible.
- Audience
- Open to visual artists working worldwide, 18+
- Format
- Ship your work in
Every listing links to the organizer's official page. Always confirm deadlines, fees, and entry rules there before you apply.