2026 Betty Bowen Award

Overview

The Seattle Art Museum is accepting entries for the 49th Annual Betty Bowen Award, which honors a Northwest artist for their original, exceptional, and compelling work. Since 1977, the Betty Bowen Award has celebrated the legacy of Betty Bowen (1918–1977), a Washington native and enthusiastic supporter of Northwest artists.

Eligibility

The award is open to visual artists in all media working in Washington, Oregon, or Idaho. Artists of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Awards

• Main award: $20,000 unrestricted cash prize and solo exhibition at Seattle Art Museum
• Up to two Special Recognition Awards: $4,000 each
• Up to three Special Commendation Awards: $2,500 each
• Finalists receive $500 honorarium for presentation expenses

What to submit

• Resume, artist statement, and six images (required)
• Up to three video files for artists working in time-based media (performance, film, or video)
• Images must include title, date, medium, dimensions, and optional brief description
• Video files must be uploaded as mp4, mov, or other formats (not web links)

Application fee

There is a $10 application fee. The Seattle Art Museum is committed to values of accessibility and financial assistance. If costs pose a barrier to entry, please contact bettybowen@seattleartmuseum.org.

Submission deadline

All applications must be completed and submitted online by 11:59 PM PST on August 1, 2026. Late applications will not be accepted.

Selection process

The winner is selected in a two-part jury process. In the first round, applicants are reviewed anonymously and six finalists are selected. Finalists are invited to present their work to the committee in the second round. Selection is based on the compelling nature of the artist's ideas, quality and creativity of work, artist's commitment to developing their work, and the impact the award will have on the artist's career.