About the Open Call

The Human Form | 2026 International Art Competition invites artists and photographers to submit their work celebrating the beauty, strength, and complexity of the human figure in all its expressions. From realism to abstraction, gesture to movement, this call honors the timeless inspiration artists find in the human body. Whether through painting, photography, sculpture, or mixed media, artists are encouraged to explore the essence of form, motion, and presence, capturing the spirit that connects us all. The competition is open to all artists worldwide, 18 years and older, welcoming submissions in all mediums and skill levels. Awards & Prizes include $500 worth of prizes and a Cash Award, promotion on social media channels, newsletter features to Galleries & Art Lovers, and a Certificate of Achievement. The First Prize winner receives $150 Cash, exhibition inclusion, social media promotion, newsletter feature to collectors, galleries, and art lovers, and a certificate. Second and Third Prize winners receive an Artist Profile Page, exhibition inclusion, social media promotion, and a certificate. Finalists receive social media promotion and exhibition inclusion, and all winners will be permanently displayed on the platform and featured in the Blue Koi Online Art Exhibition. The competition timeline sets the Entry Deadline as February 28, 2026, Winners Notified between March 9-12, 2026, and Exhibition Starts on March 15, 2026. The jury process involves anonymous review by an independent panel of art professionals from around the world, focusing on creativity, skill, and originality.

What is Offered

Cash award, $500 worth of prizes, social media promotion, newsletter feature to galleries and art lovers, certificate of achievement, artist profile page, permanent display on the Blue Koi platform, and inclusion in an online art exhibition.

Requirements

The competition is open to all artists worldwide who are 18 years or older. All backgrounds, skill levels, and styles are welcome. All visual media are accepted, including painting, mixed media, photography, digital art, and sculpture. All submissions must be original works created by the artist. Image submissions must be high-resolution (Maximum 2000px on the longest side), in JPEG or PNG format only, with no watermarks or signatures, and preferably with professional lighting and a neutral background. File size must not exceed 2 MB. File names must be clearly labeled as 'Artist Name – Artwork Title.jpg'.

How to Apply

Artists must submit their work via the online entry form on the Blue Koi Gallery website. Image requirements include a maximum file size of 2 MB, format must be jpg, jpeg, or png. Submissions must ensure professional presentation, including proper cropping, without mockups, frames, or watermarks. File names should be formatted as 'Artist Name – Title of Art.jpg'. High-resolution images (Maximum 2000px on the longest side) are preferred, in JPEG or PNG format only, with no watermarks or signatures, and professional lighting and a neutral background. An early bird fee of $15 for 2 images is available until December 14th, 2026, otherwise the standard fee is $20 for 2 images, with $6 for each additional image. Artists will select the 'Human Form' competition option in the entry form, provide full name, email, website or social media contact, how they heard about the opportunity, and an artist statement, then upload their images with titles and mediums.