THE MANIFEST PRIZE

About the Open Call

The 16th Annual Manifest Prize, now doubled to a $10,000 cash award, champions mastery and quality in visual art by rewarding and showcasing exceptional artwork. Open to works of any media, genre, or size completed within the past five years (2020-2025), the prize offers a solo exhibition for the winning piece at Manifest Gallery from December 12, 2025, to January 9, 2026. Four additional finalist works will receive $250 each. The selection is determined by a rigorous, multi-round anonymous blind jury process. All accepted works, including the winner and finalists, will be documented in the high-quality, hardcover Manifest Exhibition Annual publication. Manifest is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to supporting artists through meaningful, career-impacting opportunities.

What is Offered

$10,000 cash award, a four-week solo exhibition for the winning work, documentation in the Manifest Exhibition Annual publication, and $250 cash awards for four runner-up finalists.

Requirements

Open to everyone. Entries must be exceptional original works of visual art, design, or high craftsmanship of any kind. Works must have been completed within the past five years (2020-2025). Submitted works MUST be available for the exhibition period of early December 2025 through mid-January 2026. Work must arrive gallery-ready and exhibit good craftsmanship; works differing significantly from entry images or suffering from poor presentation will be disqualified. Artists must agree to make their work available and ship/deliver it to the gallery if selected. Works not claimed within 30 days of the exhibit end will become the property of Manifest. Video links must remain valid and active through notification of jury results.

How to Apply

Submit via the online entry form provided on the website. Upload high-quality JPEG images (no smaller than 1000 pixels in any direction, 72 dpi) using the Dropbox button after form submission. Ensure files are named as "lastname_firstname_entrynumber.jpg". Detail images must include "detail" in the filename. For video-based works, provide a link to a viewable online copy (e.g., YouTube, Vimeo, Dropbox) that does not require login or password, along with a single representative JPEG image. Entry fees of $60 for up to five entries ($5 per additional entry) can be paid by U.S. check, money order, or credit card via PayPal link provided after form submission. Work must arrive at Manifest by December 6, 2025, ready to install with professional-level presentation. Artists are responsible for all shipping costs to and from the gallery.