About the Open Call

The NSMA International Painting Competition celebrates artistic excellence in contemporary realist painting. It provides a prestigious platform for artists to showcase talent and engage with peers. Finalists will have their work exhibited for three months during the museum's busiest season. A unique aspect of this competition is the peer-voted $35,000 Acquisition Award, where finalists themselves select the winner for the museum's permanent collection. All subjects and painting mediums (oil, watercolor, acrylic, gouache, tempera) are welcome.

What is Offered

$35,000 Grand Prize Acquisition Award, $2,500 Director's Choice Award in Michael Harding oil paint supplies, $2,500 People's Choice cash prize, and a 3-month physical exhibition.

Requirements

Open to professional and student artists worldwide. Entries must be original handmade paintings created within the past five years. Digital art, prints, photography, AI/computer-generated art, mixed media, drawings, and sculpture are not allowed. The longest side of the painting should not exceed 65 inches unframed. Finalists must be able to exhibit original artwork for the duration of the exhibition (May 13 – August 16, 2026).

How to Apply

Submit entries via the online Jotform application. Entrants must upload high-resolution photographs of their paintings (1 MB - 10 MB) and follow specific file-naming conventions: FirstName_LastName_WidthxHeight.