The Best Contests for Designers, Illustrators, and Artists in 2023

If you’re looking for opportunities that offer creative and professional development, consider participating in art contests. Of course, they require leaving your comfort zone, but otherwise, it’s impossible to move forward and grow. Contests offer many benefits, from material prizes and cash rewards to recognition, promotion, and reaching new audiences. And sometimes there are unexpected perks that come with it, like sending a message to the future, joining initiatives aimed at wildlife protection in Asia and Africa, or adopting a tree! If you don’t believe us, just check out our list of the most interesting design, illustration, and art contests to enter in 2023. Choose an option that will inspire creative experiments and allow you to showcase your creativity to the maximum.

*The contests are arranged in order of their deadlines.

Design contests to enter in 2023

1. Reminiscence Art and Design Competition

Deadline: March 31, 2023

Open to: artists aged from 18 who create 2D visual art, sculpture and installations, glass art, photographic art, digital art, lighting art

Participation: free

Prizes: the 1st Prize winner will receive $20,000 USD. Up to 10 Runners-up will receive $3,000 USD each. You’ll also enjoy the following perks: participation in the exhibition, media coverage, and promotion

The international award for visual artists and designers “Reminiscence Art and Design Competition” was created by LAVO, an Australian company specializing in green energy. Not surprisingly, its theme is directly related to sustainable development. Participants should address the concepts of Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle. They are invited to explore issues around the use of recycled or recovered material and the repurposing or reuse of retired products or parts. Participants are also expected to incorporate a lighting element or some form of interplay with lighting into their artworks. The jury will assess the submissions by the overall composition, visual or emotional impact, as well as to the innovative interpretation of concepts.

 

2. ON PAPER International Printmaking Contest 2023

Deadline: April 1, 2023

Open to: any artist engaged in the art of printmaking

Participation fee: €26

Prizes: €1000, participation in the exhibition, media coverage

ON PAPER contest is an annual international printmaking project based in Barcelona and held for the ninth time. It serves to promote the art of printmaking and develop connections between printmakers around the world. Each participant can submit only one piece of work created in any printmaking technique including screen-printing, lithography, etching, engraving, collagraph, monotype, block printing, woodcut, electro-etching, etc. An important condition: the work must be relatively new, completed in the last couple of years. Also, artworks that have received a prize before are not accepted.

 

3. BICeBé 2023 International Poster Call

Deadline: April 21, 2023

Open to: professionals, amateurs, and students

Participation: free

Prizes: diplomas and medals for First, Second, and Third Place in all categories. Special recognitions

Source: BICeBé Facebook page

BICeBé 2023 International Poster Call is one of the most important design and visual arts events in Bolivia and other Latin American countries. The artists invited to participate in the poster contest include design students, graphic designers, plastic artists, photographers, and graphic producers in general (of any age and nationality). Each contestant can submit up to 10 posters in the following categories: cultural posters, social posters, advertising or commercial posters, motion design posters. All the submissions must be new or printed between April 2021 and April 2023. There is also a special category of unpublished posters on the topic of “Earth Overshoot Day”, as well as a category for students only, where they must address the concept of technology’s impact on mental health.

 

4. Red Dot Award Brands & Communication Design 2023

Deadline: June 16, 2023

Open to: agencies, designers, and companies

Participation fee: €195–350 depending on the submission period

Prizes: the right to advertise using the Red Dot winner label; online presentation, publication in the International Yearbook Brands & Communication Design, participation in exhibitions, award; €10 000 for a winner in the Red Dot Junior Prize category

Source: red-dot website

Red Dot is considered to be one of the most prestigious and desired awards in the design world. The goal of the organizers of the Red Dot Award Brands & Communication Design competition is to recognize leading brands and the best examples of communication design. Participants can submit their projects and creative campaigns in 18 categories, including Corporate Design & Identity, Advertising, Packaging Design, Typography, Websites, Apps, and more. In addition to gaining international recognition and prestige, the winners take part in the Red Dot Gala ceremony in Berlin, and also become part of a privileged community of designers, producers, and potential clients.

Find ideas for a winning project in our Creative trends 2023 Forecast.

 

5. Seoul Design Award 2023

Deadline: June 28, 2023

Open to: professionals, students, and organizations

Participation: free

Prizes: the grand prize — ₩50 000 000 (approximately $38 000). 2nd place — ₩50 000 000 (approximately $11 400). 3rd place and special prizes — ₩5 000 000 (approximately $3800). Trophies, as well as the right to use the award’s logo

Seoul Design Award is a competition organized by Seoul Metropolitan Government. It’s for designers and organizations whose projects contribute to a sustainable daily life and harmonious relationship between people, society, and the environment. Participants are expected to introduce ideas that address everyday problems in creative ways. They can be realized in different design areas: product, visual, digital/multimedia, spatial/system or service/social. Both design projects realized within the past 5 years, and research projects with a plan for realization are accepted.

 

6. Poster Stellars 2023 Intercontinental Poster Competition

Deadline: July 3, 2023

Open to: professionals, amateurs, and students, aged 18 and above

Participation fee: $30 for professionals and $15 for students

Prizes: trophies and certificates. 3 best works in each category will be stored in the Time Capsule to be opened in 2038. All winners’ names will be engraved on a monument stone covering the burial location of the Time Capsule

This poster competition is special, as it gives you a chance to literally deliver a message into the future. The best posters chosen by the professional jury will be put into the Time Capsule, which will be opened again in 15 years. The organizers invite participants to think about whether we are alone in the Universe. The idea of the existence of extraterrestrial life is quite controversial, however, many people take it seriously. If you would be able to establish any kind of interaction with an unearthly civilization, what ideas would you like to deliver them? This is what you should address in your artwork. In addition, you can submit published posters dedicated to politics, culture, ecology, advertising, and typography, as well as animated posters.

 

7. London International Creative Competition (LICC) 2023

Deadline: Early bird — July 5 (10% off), extended — August 8 (5% off), regular — November 1, final — December 5, 2023

Open to: professionals, amateurs, and students

Participation fee: $60 for professionals and $30 for students

Prizes: $1000 in professional categories. $500 in categories for amateurs and students. Titles and awards

Source: licc.uk

Since its foundation in 2006, London International Creative Competition has been recognizing and rewarding the world’s most progressive creative talents from all around the world. Each year, thousands of works from over 80 countries are submitted to the competition. Organizers welcome entries from all talented creatives and artists that represent a diverse range of formats, genres, and industries; think out of the box; and create stunning works. Each of the six categories — Architecture, Art, Graphic, Interior, Photo/Video, and Product Design — includes more than ten subcategories, so that every creator can find their niche. You can submit up to 10 images within one application.

Want to learn what styles and concepts are especially popular now? Discover our Graphic Design Trends Guide.

 

8. Aesthetica Art Prize 2023

Deadline: August 31 (cheaper entry fees), extended — September 8, 2023

Open to: professionals, amateurs, and students

Participation fee: £25–30

Prizes: the main prize is £10 000. The prize for young creators is £1000. You also enjoy participation in the group exhibition, editorial coverage in Aesthetica Magazine and online, etc.

Aesthetica Art Prize celebrates contemporary art in all its forms, including painting and drawing; video, sculpture, installation, performance; photography, digital art, artists’ film, ceramics, illustration, mixed-media, and more. The contest is open to works in any genre and theme, however, the organizers are particularly interested in works that reflect upon our ever-changing world. They are looking for artists who redefine the parameters of contemporary art and reflect upon both social and political structures, questioning the value that we place on the planet and each other.

 

9. Communication Arts 2024 Typography Competition

Deadline: Early bird — September 8 (cheaper entry fees), final — September 22, 2023

Open to: professionals and students

Participation fee: starting from $40 depending on the category

Prizes: trophies, certificates, publication in Communication Arts Typography Annual, media coverage

Source: commarts.com

Communication Arts 2024 Typography Competition celebrates the best use of typography as a primary visual element in design and advertising, plus new typeface designs, calligraphy, and hand lettering. Participants have 16 categories to choose from including advertising, brochures, posters, books, digital media, identity, and many more. They can submit any typography project created or first published from September 2022 to September 2023. Entries chosen by the professional jury will be published in the Communication Arts Typography Annual, and will be distributed worldwide in print and digital editions, and on commarts.com.

 

10. Contests by 99designs

You can find many interesting offers for designers on the 99designs blog. This platform brings together customers who have a specific design task with designers from around the world. The process is quite simple: a customer creates a brief describing all the important details, and designers offer their versions and graphic ideas. The best offer wins the competition and the contractor gets paid for their work. The most popular task here is logo design. Prices start from $299.

The best contests for illustrators and artists in 2023

1. DSWF Wildlife Artist of the Year

Deadline: March 29, 2023

Open to: professionals and amateurs, age 15 and above

Participation fee: £25 per artwork for the first two entries, thereafter it is £15 per entry; for participants aged 15–19 years — £15 per entry

Prizes: the 1st place winner gets £5000 and a £5000 donation voucher for any wildlife protection project. The 2nd place winner gets £1000 and a £1000 donation voucher for any wildlife protection project. Each category winner receives £100

Source: davidshepherd.org

DSWF Wildlife Artist of the Year — is an internationally renowned wildlife art competition and exhibition that attracts entries from some of the most talented artists around the globe. Since its foundation in 2008, Wildlife Artist of the Year has raised more than £1.7 million to benefit nature protection activities across Africa and Asia. Last year, the competition attracted more than 1,600 entries from 55 countries. To create their artwork, participants can use various mediums including acrylic, oil, watercolor, pencil, collage, plaster, textiles, and more. All the submissions must be sent in digital format. It’s worth mentioning that entry fees and half of the proceeds from the sale of winner works during the exhibition go to DSWF wildlife protection activities.

 

2. Ruth Borchard Self-Portrait Prize 2023

Deadline: March 31, 2023

Open to: professionals and amateurs

Participation fee: £38 for entrants from Great Britain and £48 for entrants from other countries

Prizes: the grand prize is £10 000, participation in the exhibition

Ruth Borchard was a writer who collected 100 self-portraits of British artists from 1958–1971. The biennial artistic prize named after her is awarded to the best self-portraitist. Apart from the subject of the image, participants have no other restrictions. They can be of any age and qualification level, they are free to create art pieces of any size, form, and style. Both figurative or abstract variations of work, whether alone or in a group are accepted. The main genres accepted include painting, drawing, digital art, tapestry, sculpture, photography, ceramics, and collage.

Find interesting self-portrait ideas that can be adapted to suit different genres in our themed article.

 

3. 3×3 International Illustration Awards 2023

Deadline: Early bird — March 31 (cheaper entry fees), final — April 7, 2023

Open to: professionals and students

Participation fee: $35 for one piece and $70 for a series for professionals, $15 for one piece and $35 for a series for students

Prizes: the grand prize — $1500, category winners — $750, Gary Powell Student Award — $1000. You also enjoy participation in the exhibition, gold, silver, and bronze medals, trophies, media, and online coverage, etc.

Source: 3x3mag.com

3×3 magazine is a publication dedicated entirely to the art of modern illustration. It is published in the United States and distributed worldwide. One of its tasks is to promote the importance of using illustration in advertising, publishing, corporate, institutions, books, and animation. To promote the art of illustration, the magazine is holding this competition for the 20th time. Last year only, there were entries from 48 countries. Participants have a vast range of categories to choose from, from advertising and animation to books and zines. There is one important restriction; AI-generated works are not accepted. The entrants must submit a unique work of authorship.

 

4. International Comic/Manga School Contest

Deadline: April 10, 2023

Open to: students and schools

Participation: free

Prizes: Grand Prize — $3300, Wacom Cintiq Pro 16 Pen Display. Category winners — $1700 and Wacom One Creative Pen Display. Grand Prize in Storyboard category — $2200 and Wacom One Creative Pen Display. Grand Prize in Illustration category — $550 and Wacom One Creative Pen Display. You also enjoy three-years access to Clip Studio Paint EX

This is a contest for students who create manga, comics, and illustrations. It is organized by the Japanese company CELSYS, which specializes in graphic software development. This year’s contest theme is “Light and Darkness”. The organizers expect the participants to rethink the concept of light and darkness, rather than show stereotypical images; artists should interpret them in an interesting way, demonstrating that they are opposites but interconnected at the same time. Along with appealing cash prizes, those who manage the task best will be awarded digital creation software, pen tablets, and chances to be featured in the media.

 

5. Future Generation Art Prize

Deadline: April 30, 2023

Open to: artists aged from 18 to 35

Participation: free

Prizes: main Prize — $100 000. Special prizes — $20 000. You also enjoy participation in the Prize Exhibition at PinchukArtCentre in Kyiv and at Venice Biennale

International Future Generation Art Prize is created to discover and recognize new talents in the modern art world and give long-term support to a future generation of artists. Since its foundation in 2009, it has opened the names of more than 100 talented artists to a wide audience. Artists from any country can compete for the incredible prize of $100 000, but they must be no older than 35 years old. The winner gets a $60 000 cash prize and an additional $40 000 as an investment in their artistic work. In addition, nominees’ works will be exhibited at PinchukArtCentre in Kyiv and at the Prize Exhibition as part of the Venice Biennale. This prestigious prize is awarded only every other year, so if you are engaged in art and want to reach a higher professional level, don’t miss your chance. All the more, entry is free of charge.

 

6. Humanity Cartoons Immigration Cartoons Competition

Deadline: May 1, 2023

Open to: illustrators aged 16 and above

Participation: free

Prizes: $100–1000 depending on the place

The “Humanity Cartoons” 2. Immigration Cartoons Competition is organized by British charitable organizations Time to Help UK and Human Rights Solidarity with the aim to raise awareness about the plight of immigrants. Entrants are encouraged to submit original and creative cartoons that address the challenges immigrants face. This competition aims to use the power of cartoon art to shed light on immigration matters in general, the problems in the asylum intake and refugee integration systems of Western societies, and contribute to a better understanding of the issues immigrant communities face. Those who will address the topic in the best way will receive cash prizes. And the collection of selected cartoons will be exhibited around the World on the occasion of Refugee Week 2023.

 

7. BO It! International Illustration Contest 2023

Deadline: May 15, 2023

Open to: individual participants older than 18, as well as creative collectives

Participation: free

Prizes: First Prize — €800 and a solo exhibition at the Millennium Gallery in Bologna. Second Prize — €500. Third Prize — a 200€ voucher for the purchase of fine arts instruments and materials. You also get to enjoy media coverage and participation in a collective exhibition

Source: bo-it.org

BOit! is an international illustration contest open to creative people from all over the world. Its aim is to promote creative work, and facilitate networking and exchange between artists, including non-professional artists. Participants are asked to show their vision of the Italian city of Bologna, while addressing the chosen topic along with a “shape”. The theme of this year’s contest is dedicated to climate change and carbon neutrality, as Bologna is on the list of 100 cities selected to become a carbon-neutral city by 2030. The “shape” of the third edition of the contest represents the outline of the city of Bologna, which recalls the cell of a beehive. Interesting fact: in addition to the above-mentioned prizes, each selected illustrator will be honored with the adoption of a tree by zeroCO2.

 

8. 2023 Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Student Contest

Deadline: June 13, 2023

Open to: students aged 11-18, both individually and as clubs, classes, and young creative collectives

Participation: free

Prizes: $100–1500 depending on the place and category, as well as gold, silver, bronze, and pearl awards

This is one more illustration contest dedicated to environmental protection. Ocean Awareness Contest gives young people a chance to learn about environmental issues through art-making and creative communication, explore their relationship to a changing world, and become advocates for positive change. The theme of Contest 2023 is “Climate Heroes in Action”. Participants are encouraged to celebrate the work of countless everyday heroes fighting against climate change to make the world a more habitable and better place for us. Entrants can choose an inspirational scientist, activist, artist, educator, or hero who is working to solve climate change issues, and highlight their efforts and positive impacts.

 

9. ABSTRACT International Juried Art Competition

Deadline: June 15, 2023

Open to: professionals and amateurs, age 18 and above

Participation fee: $10 for each artwork

Prizes: $25–500 depending on the place and category, certificates

This year, ABSTRACT International Juried Art Competition will be held for the ninth time. All types of art styles are accepted, including both 2D and 3D works, painting, sculpture, digital art, photography, graphic, installation works, and many more. Entrants have to suggest their own interpretation in representing the overall theme “Abstract”. The contest organizer — Los Angeles–based modern art gallery TERAVARNA — also holds other art contests that may be of interest to you. They are dedicated to different topics, including animal art, figurative art, still life, and more.

 

10. BDFIL Comic Artists Competition

Deadline: June 15, 2023

Open to: any artists aged 15 and over who has never been published

Participation: free

Prizes: a prize of CHF 5,000 (or approx. $5300) will be divided between the winners. You also enjoy participation in the exhibition and the prize-giving ceremony

Source: BDFIL Facebook page

Lausanne-based BDFIL Comics Festival in partnership with Caran d’Ache annually hosts an emerging comic artists competition. The theme of the 2023 edition is “Eureka”. The organizers state that the theme can be freely interpreted according to artists’ preferences. They expect entrants to submit projects presenting complete original stories. Works can contain texts and dialogues, or exclude any text. Each participant may enter one project presented in A3 format. The winners will be selected by a professional jury headed by a comic book artist and composed of several jurors, including a comic book author, a specialized journalist, and a comic book researcher from the University of Lausanne’s Comics Study Group.

 

11. Anthology Cover Art Award 2023

Deadline: Early bird — May 31 (cheaper entry fees), general — September 30, 2023

Open to: professionals and amateurs

Participation fee: €15–18

Prizes: First Prize — €1000, publication on the cover of a future issue of Anthology, and a one-year subscription to Anthology. Second Prize — €250. Third Prize — €150

The Anthology Cover Art Competition is established to foster and support both established and emerging visual artists and provide them with a platform for publication. The cover art competition is open to multiple genres including painting, printmaking, mixed media, photography, and digital media. There is an important restriction; works entered must not have appeared on the cover of another publication. However, artists can submit works previously exhibited or published on their websites, on the interior pages of a book, or in a magazine. By the way, there is no limit to works per entrant. Participants can address any theme, but organizers advise them to refer to Anthology magazine and check out its style.

Get inspired by artworks of famous Ukrainian modernists to create your own unique art pieces.

 

12. Embracing Our Differences 2024 Exhibition Competition

Deadline: October 5, 2023

Open to: professionals, amateurs, and students

Participation: free

Prizes: $1000 for each category winner including a category for adults, for students, and “People’s Choice”. You also get to enjoy participation in the exhibition

Source: embracingourdifferences.org

The Embracing Our Differences contest invites you to participate in creating a world where diversity is embraced and individuality is celebrated. Winning entries will be chosen based on artistic excellence and originality in the reflection of the Contest’s theme, “enriching lives through diversity and inclusion”. This may include illustrating different appearances; racial differences; physical or mental impairment; sexual orientation or identity; gender identity, rights and equality; empowerment, and more. The best 50 submissions will be selected for inclusion in the exhibit in Sarasota (Florida).

 

13. iJungle Illustration Awards 2023

Deadline: October 15, 2023

Open to: professionals, amateurs, students, and agencies

Participation fee: $25 for one image and $48 for a series

Prizes: the main prize — $2500. Each category winner gets a gold medal. You also get to enjoy merit awards, presentation in iJungle 2023 Illustrational Annual, participation in the exhibition, media coverage, and certificates

Europe-based iJungle Illustration Awards competition is open to illustrators, agencies, students, and teachers from all over the world. It includes 6 categories: Books, Editorial, Comics, Commercial, New Talent (for students), and Self-Promotion. The best entries will be chosen by a jury composed of award-winning illustrators and art directors. According to the Contest’s terms, the entrants’ illustrations must be first created or published from 2020 through 2023. Each illustrator can submit up to 5 works for all categories.

 

14. The 25th International Short Film Festival “Ciudad De Soria” Poster Competition

Deadline: July 5, 2023

Open to: individual participants and creative teams

Participation: free

Prizes: €1000

Source: certamendecortossoria.org

The organizers of the 25th International Short Film Festival Contest “Ciudad de Soria” in Spain invite artists to create a poster. This contest is open to designers, artists, and content creators from all over the world. The winning poster will be the 25th International Short Film Festival Contest image. Only one poster per author is accepted, plus it must be an original work that has never been published before.

 

15. 2023 International Juried Competitions by Medium Category

Deadline: from April 19 to January 24, 2023, depending on the competition

Open to: professionals and amateurs, age 18 and above

Participation fee: $20

Prizes: cash prizes, participation in the online exhibition, promotion, awards, certificates, etc.

Camelback Gallery organizes monthly themed art competitions to give artists, both emerging and experienced, an opportunity to gain online media and social media exposure, enhance their resumes, and become a part of a creative community. The winners are selected by the professional jury and their artworks are entered into an online group exhibition. Camelback Gallery also works closely with major art media outlets to promote artists’ work including Art Week, Art Base, Artchain.Info, and Top Art Awards. In 2023, the platform holds art competitions in acrylic painting, pastels, pencil, and oil, as well as in digital art. Winning each of them, artists receive cash prizes and active promotion.

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