YICCA 2026 – International Contest of Contemporary Art

Navigating the modern art world often requires breaking out of traditional creative silos, which is exactly why the YICCA 2026 – International Contest of Contemporary Art has become a pivotal platform for visual creators. By placing lens-based media alongside sculpture, performance, and digital installations, this global event embraces a truly cross-disciplinary dialogue. For photographers regularly consulting this photo contest directory to find expansive opportunities, this open call offers a rare chance to have their work evaluated within a broader, highly influential fine art context.

Accepting submissions until May 7, 2026, the competition is designed to elevate both emerging talents and seasoned professionals. The organizers focus on facilitating direct entry into the international contemporary art market through substantial financial backing, including a €3,000 top prize, and a curated physical exhibition for 18 selected finalists. By offering a structured evaluation process and a dedicated printed catalogue, the event ensures that participating creators gain meaningful exposure to critics, curators, and gallery owners across the European art scene.

Prizes

YICCA 2026 offers four monetary prizes and multiple visibility opportunities for finalists. Beyond financial support, selected artists gain exposure through a European exhibition and printed publication.

• First Prize: The top selected artist receives a €3,000 direct cash prize.
• Second Prize: The runner-up is awarded €1,000.
• Third Prize: The third-place creator receives €500.
• Student Prize: A special dedicated prize of €1,000 is awarded to support emerging student talent.
• Finalist Exhibition: A total of 18 artists will be selected to feature their accepted artworks in a major physical exhibition hosted in a European city.
• Catalogue Publication: The selected artists’ works will be published in the official YICCA catalogue. This publication will be distributed free of charge to the finalists and made available to invited professionals during the event’s inauguration.
• Advertising Campaign: Finalists obtain maximum visibility through a dedicated advertising campaign that follows the competition across all its stages.

Categories or Themes

While the YICCA 2026 – International Contest of Contemporary Art does not divide submissions into rigid thematic categories, it operates as a broad showcase of contemporary art. All kinds of artistic expressions are allowed, including drawings, paintings, sculptures, graphics, mixed media, video, installations, performances, and photographs.

Because the call embraces eclectic contemporary expressions, it is an ideal platform for creators whose work leans into fine art, experimental techniques, or conceptual narratives. Photographers are encouraged to submit their most innovative pieces to be judged on their contemporary relevance within an open theme environment.

Dates and Entry Fees

The organizers have established this timeline for the YICCA 2026 edition:

Entry fees are tiered based on the number of artworks submitted. Participants can choose between a “Public Application”. (visible on the website’s artists page) or a “Private Application”. (hidden from the public gallery).

• 1 artwork: €50.00
• 2 artworks: €80.00
• 3 artworks: €110.00
• 4 artworks: €130.00
• 5 artworks: €145.00
• 6 artworks: €160.00

How to Enter

Artists must complete the online registration form on the official website. Image files should be uploaded in JPG or GIF format, while videos require a preview frame and a Vimeo link. The maximum physical size for entered artworks is 3 x 3 meters. Payments can be processed via credit card, PayPal, or bank transfer. Registrations are only published once the payment verification is complete.

About the Jury

The 2026 selection panel features a diverse group of international art professionals. The jury includes Elke Zweers, a curator active in Austria specializing in contemporary innovations; Jin-Young Kang, Director of the Business Division of the Korean Fine Arts Association and an expert in cross-border collaborations; and Annalisa Ercolini, a freelance journalist and cultural researcher.

The evaluation process utilizes a unique 10-point rating scale divided into thirds. The final score for the cash prize winners is determined by combining the average score from the jury (1/3), the score from the A.p.s. Moho Association (1/3), and the score from the hosting gallery (1/3).

Why Enter YICCA 2026?

Securing a spot in a curated physical exhibition alongside diverse contemporary mediums is a transformative opportunity for any visual creator. Because the contest transcends borders and welcomes professionals and emerging talents irrespective of their geographical origins, it serves as a highly accessible entry point into international photography contests and the broader European art scene.

The inclusion of a printed catalogue distributed directly to gallery owners, critics, and art institutions provides a level of networking that is difficult to achieve independently. For creatives evaluating the best photography challenges online, this event offers a unique chance to break out of photography-only silos. Having your lens-based work evaluated by a multidisciplinary jury ensures that the resulting recognition carries weight across the entire contemporary art market.

Rules and Copyright

This section about the rules and image rights of the YICCA 2026 – International Contest of Contemporary Art has been generated automatically. If you are interested in participating in this contest we suggest you review the complete rules provided by the contest.

Rules

There are no special qualifications required for entry, and the contest is open to artists from any country. All works must be available for the final exhibition and must remain the property of the artist. Artworks that have already participated in other competitions or are currently exposed in other galleries are fully eligible. The delivery and withdrawal of selected works, as well as any eventual insurance during the exhibition period, shall be paid for and arranged by the artists.

Copyright and Image Usage

Artists authorize the Moho A.p.s. Association to process their personal data and submitted pictures strictly for purposes concerning the competition. The organization guarantees that participant data and artwork images will not be sold to third parties or published for commercial purposes. Artists remain entirely responsible for the content of the pictures or text submitted for publication on the website and in the official catalogue.

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For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.