Art Labs International Visual Arts Competition

About the Open Call

The First Art Labs International Visual Arts Competition is Now Open for Submissions! Open to all visual artists: painters, digital artists, graphic designers, photographers, illustrators, sculptors, mixed-media artists, fashion, furniture, jewelry designers, and more. ELIGIBILITY This competition is open to visual artists of all ages and nationalities working in any artistic medium. All submissions will be reviewed individually by our distinguished panel of judges without regard for age, nationality, gender, or artistic style. Artists may submit work to multiple categories, and there is no maximum number of submissions per category. MEDIUMS & CATEGORIES We welcome submissions across a wide spectrum of visual arts, including but not limited to: Traditional Art: painting, drawing, sculpture, etc. Digital Art: digital painting, illustration, 3D modeling, etc. Graphic Design: Logo, Poster, Brand Identity, Typography, UI/UX, etc. Animation & Motion Design Photography: Portrait, Landscape, Nature, Architecture, Street, Documentary, Abstract, Contemporary, Conceptual, Commercial, Advertising, etc. Mixed Media & Experimental Works: Collage, Installation, Hybrid Art, etc. Functional Art: Fashion, Furniture, Jewelry, Product Design, Textile & Fiber, Wearable, etc. Best Portfolio/Series: Under the age of 21, over 21 OVERVIEW OF CATEGORIES Traditional Art Categories Total prizes: $12,000 Digital Art Categories Total prizes: $30,000 Photography Categories Total prizes: $30,000 Applied & Experimental Categories Total prizes: $6,000 Portfolio Excellence Total prizes: $20,000 1. Traditional Art - Under 16 (born in or after 2009) 2. Traditional Art - Under 21 (born in or between 2004-2008) 3. Traditional Art - Over 21 (born in or before 2003) 4. Digital Painting & Illustration 5. Graphic Design 6. Animation/Motion Design 7. Portrait Photography 8. Landscape / Nature / Wildlife / Architecture Photography 9. Street / Documentary Photography 10. Contemporary / Abstract / Conceptual Photography 11. Commercial / Advertising Photography 12. Mixed Media & Experimental 13. Functional Art 14. Best Portfolio/Series - Under 21 (born in or after 2004) 15. Best Portfolio/Series - Over 21 (born in or before 2003) Traditional Art Categories Painting, Drawing, Sketching, Pencil, Ink, Charcoal, Pastel, Watercolor, Acrylic, Oil, Collage, Calligraphy, sculpture 1. Traditional Art - Under the Age of 16 (Born in or After 2009) · Grand Prize: $500 · 2nd Prize: $300 · 3rd Prize: $200 · 15 Finalists: Official Certificate 2. Traditional Art - Under the Age of 21 (Born in or Between 2004-2008) · Grand Prize: $1000 · 2nd Prize: $700 · 3rd Prize: $300 · 15 Finalists: Official Certificate 3. Traditional Art - Over the Age of 21 (Born in or Before 2003) · Grand Prize: $1500 · 2nd Prize: $1000 · 3rd Prize: $500 · 15 Finalists: Official Certificate Guidelines: Number of Submissions: Submit as many works as you wish. Most artists enter 2-5 pieces. File Format: Submit high-quality images in JPEG, PNG, TIFF, or PDF format. Physical Presentation: For 3D works (sculptures, installations), include photos from multiple angles. Artist Statement: Brief description of your concept or technique (1-2 sentences). Digital Art Categories 4. Digital Painting & Illustration · Grand Prize: $1500 · 2nd Prize: $1000 · 3rd Prize: $500 · 15 Finalists: Official Certificate Examples: 2D & 3D Digital Art, Modeling and Rendering, Concept Art, Character Design, Comic Art, Fantasy/Sci-Fi Illustration, Digital Portraits, etc. 5. Graphic Design · Grand Prize: $1500 · 2nd Prize: $1000 · 3rd Prize: $500 · 15 Finalists: Official Certificate Examples: Brand Identity, Poster Design, Logo Design, UI/UX Mockups, Packaging Design, Typography, Infographics, etc. 6. Animation / Motion Design · Grand Prize: $1500 · 2nd Prize: $1000 · 3rd Prize: $500 · 15 Finalists: Official Certificate Examples: Short 2D/3D animations, motion graphics, animated loops, character animation, 2D/3D experimental animation, etc. Guidelines: Number of Submissions: Submit as many works as you wish. Most artists enter 2-5 pieces. File Format: Submit high-quality images in JPEG, PNG, TIFF, or PDF format. Physical Presentation: For 3D works (sculptures, installations), include photos from multiple angles. Artist Statement: Brief description of your concept or technique (1-2 sentences). Photography Categories 7. Portrait Photography · Grand Prize: $1500 · 2nd Prize: $1000 · 3rd Prize: $500 · 15 Finalists: Official Certificate Focus: Individual or group portraiture, studio, conceptual portrait, environmental portrait, etc. 8. Landscape / Nature / Wildlife / Architecture · Grand Prize: $1500 · 2nd Prize: $1000 · 3rd Prize: $500 · 15 Finalists: Official Certificate Focus: Outdoor scenes, natural environments, wildlife in habitat, cityscapes, architectural details, etc. Scenes of the natural world, architectural landmarks, wildlife photography, urban/cityscapes, etc. 9. Street / Documentary Photography · Grand Prize: $1500 · 2nd Prize: $1000 · 3rd Prize: $500 · 15 Finalists: Official Certificate Focus: Captures real-life moments, events, everyday life, people in public spaces, cultural and documentation, photojournalistic approach, social commentary, etc. 10. Contemporary / Abstract / Conceptual Photography · Grand Prize: $1500 · 2nd Prize: $1000 · 3rd Prize: $500 · 15 Finalists: Official Certificate Focus: Creative, Experimental imagery, distortion, abstract compositions and interpretation, creative conceptual pieces, unusual angles, conceptual staging, etc. 11. Commercial / Advertising Photography · Grand Prize: $1500 · 2nd Prize: $1000 · 3rd Prize: $500 · 15 Finalists: Official Certificate Focus: Product photography, fashion, advertising visuals, editorial shoots, e-commerce style photography, etc. Guidelines: Number of Submissions: Submit as many works as you wish. Most artists enter 2-5 pieces. File Format: Submit high-quality images in JPEG, PNG, TIFF, or PDF format. Physical Presentation: For 3D works (sculptures, installations), include photos from multiple angles. Artist Statement: Brief description of your concept or technique (1-2 sentences). Mixed Media & Experimental Art 12. Mixed Media & Experimental Art · Grand Prize: $1500 · 2nd Prize: $1000 · 3rd Prize: $500 · 15 Finalists: Official Certificate 13. Functional Art · Grand Prize: $1500 · 2nd Prize: $1000 · 3rd Prize: $500 · 15 Finalists: Official Certificate Examples: Collage, Sculptural/3D Mixed Media and Assemblage, Installation Art, Digital/Physical Hybrids, Interactive Art, Experimental Video Art, etc. Examples: Fashion, Furniture, Jewelry, Product Design, Textile & Fiber Arts, Wearable Technology, etc. Best Portfolio/Series 14. Best Portfolio/Series - Under 21 (Born in or Between 2004-2008) · Grand Prize: $2000 · 2nd Prize: $1250 · 3rd Prize: $750 · 15 Finalists: Official Certificate 15. Best Portfolio/Series - Over 21 (Born in or before 2003) · Grand Prize: $3000 · 2nd Prize: $2000 · 3rd Prize: $1000 · 15 Finalists: Official Certificate Guidelines: Submit 5–10 pieces that form a cohesive body of work. May include any medium (traditional, digital, photography, or mixed). Provide a short portfolio statement (100–200 words) describing the overarching concept or theme connecting the works. Each piece in the series should meet the general guidelines for originality and submission format. Entry Guidelines: All genres, styles, aesthetics are welcome to apply. - You can submit multiple entries for the same or multiple categories. - No need to anonymize submissions. - There is no need to send physical works or originals. - You keep all rights to your work. - Multiple submissions are allowed, and each requires a separate entry fee. - All submissions are reviewed carefully and independently. Submission Fees: Categories 1-13: 1st work: $45 2nd work: $40 3rd work: $35 4th work: $30 5th work: $25 6th work: $20 Each work after 6th: $15 Example: $85 to submit two works. Why do we ask for submission fees? Art Labs Creative Studio is a an independent organization. We don't have any sponsors for our projects. These entry fees enable us to organize such a wide-ranging competition and offer over $100,000 in prizes to 45 winners and 150 finalists. Thank you in advance for your contribution, which helps to support this event and other artists. Categories 14 and 15: Best portfolio/Series 1st series: $95 2nd series: $90 3rd series: $85 4th series: $80 5th series: $75 6th series: $70 Each series after 6th: $65 Example: $185 for two series.

What is Offered

Over $100,000 in prizes for 45 winners and 150 finalists. Grand prizes for categories range from $500 to $3000, with 2nd and 3rd prizes and official certificates for finalists.

Requirements

Open to visual artists of all ages and nationalities working in any artistic medium. All genres, styles, and aesthetics are welcome. Submissions must be high-quality images in JPEG, PNG, TIFF, or PDF format. For 3D works, photos from multiple angles are required. An artist statement (1-2 sentences) is required. For portfolio categories, submit 5-10 cohesive pieces and a 100-200 word portfolio statement. Artists retain all rights to their work.

How to Apply

Apply online via the submission form at https://artlabs.paperform.co/. Submit high-quality images in JPEG, PNG, TIFF, or PDF format. For 3D works, include photos from multiple angles. Include a brief artist statement (1-2 sentences). For portfolio submissions, provide 5-10 cohesive pieces and a short portfolio statement (100-200 words). Multiple entries are allowed, each requiring a separate entry fee.