Manifest Prize 2026 — $10,000 Award for Visual Artists

Overview

The Manifest Prize is Manifest's flagship annual award, presenting a $10,000 cash prize to the artist of a single work of exceptional visual art, design, or high craftsmanship, selected through a rigorous multi-round, anonymous jury process. The winning work is exhibited alone in one of Manifest's five galleries for four weeks, accompanied by juror and artist statements.

Eligibility

Open to everyone. Works must have been completed within the past five years (2021–2026) and be available for exhibition in one of Manifest's five galleries during early December through mid-January. There is no size limit or minimum. Works need not be for sale, but may be at the artist's discretion.

Categories

• Sculpture
• Photography
• Painting
• Drawing
• Printmaking
• Installation
• Video Art
• Furniture Design
• Craft
• Mixed Media

Application & Fees

Submit online. Early deadline (by September 15, 2026): $45 for up to five entries; $5 per additional entry. Final deadline (after September 15 through October 6, 2026): $60 for up to five entries; $5 per additional entry. Number of entries is unlimited, though a maximum of 12 is recommended. Fees are non-refundable.

Key Dates

• Early Deadline to Submit: September 15, 2026
• Final Deadline to Submit: October 6, 2026
• Notifications Sent: November 2, 2026
• Hi-Res Images Needed: November 9, 2026
• Artwork Due: December 5, 2026
• Preview Event/Prize Unveiling: December 10, 2026, 7–9 PM
• Opening Reception: December 11, 2026
• Final Day of Exhibition: January 8, 2027
• Pickup of Hand-Delivered Work: January 9–16, 2027
• Pickup of Shipped Artwork: January 13, 2027

Awards

The winning artist receives $10,000 cash and a four-week solo exhibition in one of Manifest's five galleries, unveiled publicly at the gallery on December 10 during the ticketed Preview Event. Four runner-up finalist works each receive a $250 cash award and are recognized in the Manifest Exhibition Annual (MEA) publication. For works offered for sale, the artist receives 70% of the sale price; Manifest retains 30% commission.

Selection Process

An anonymous panel of 7–15+ volunteer professional and academic advisors and gallery alumni from across the U.S. and beyond scores the works in multiple rounds with reshuffled jury makeup. The work with the highest average score wins; the next four highest-scoring works become runner-up finalists. An individual artist submitting multiple works may be eligible for multiple runner-up awards.

Submission Requirements

Accepted work must arrive ready to install. Work not gallery-ready, lacking good craftsmanship, or differing significantly from entry images may be omitted from the exhibit and declined the prize. Manifest retains submitted images and reserves the right to use them in publications and gallery publicity; the artist retains full copyright of exhibited work.