Material Works Art Award 2025

About the Open Call

The Material Works Art Award supports artists through a one-time $2500.00 grant in exchange for an original artwork that will join our growing contemporary art collection. This award recognizes artistic excellence and aims to promote career advancement through increasing visibility and exposure. We are currently accepting applications from artists with contemporary art practices. Visual artists working worldwide in painting, photography, installation, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, mixed-media, experimental, and conceptual art are eligible to apply. Please note that submissions for music, writing/poetry, and time-based media are not being accepted at this time. Early submissions will be considered for social media features and other highlights! The winner will receive a $2500.00 grant based on the merit of their submitted portfolio, exchanged for an original artwork of similar monetary value. The artwork will be negotiated with the selected artist, join the Material Works collection, and be considered for future exhibition opportunities. Material Works will cover shipping costs. The selected artist will be interviewed with an archived profile on our website, featured on social media platforms, and welcomed to join future opportunities as a jury. (5) shortlisted artists will also be selected, interviewed, featured on social media, and welcomed to join future opportunities. Submission Guidelines: (1) Submission per applicant. Applicant must be over the age of 18. All applications must be submitted online via jotform. All submitted images must be of the applicant’s original artwork. Upload (1-15) images that best express your work and practice (~2 mb jpegs each). Upload (1) image of an artwork for our collection in exchange for the award grant (optional). Upload an image list for each submitted work (title, medium, date, size, and additional details). Upload an Artist Statement (~500 words) BIO (~500 words) CV or Resume (all optional). Upload (1) studio/workspace image or artist portrait (optional). Pay the application review fee via the payment/PayPal link at the end of the application form.

What is Offered

A $2500.00 grant in exchange for an original artwork, artwork acquisition for the Material Works collection, consideration for future exhibition opportunities, covered shipping costs for artwork, an archived profile and interview on the Material Works website, social media features, and the opportunity to join future juries. Shortlisted artists receive an interview, archived profile, and social media features.

Requirements

Applicants must be visual artists with contemporary art practices, over the age of 18, and working worldwide. Submissions for music, writing/poetry, and time-based media are not accepted. Applicants must submit original artwork images, an image list, and pay the application fee.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit their application online via Jotform. Required materials include 1-15 images of original artwork, an image list, and payment of the application review fee. Optional submissions include an artist statement, bio, CV/resume, an image of an artwork for the collection exchange, and a studio/workspace image or artist portrait.