The 10th “Black & White” Online Art Competition by Contemporary Art Room Gallery invites artists from around the world to strip away the distraction of color and focus on the essential. Whether through the stark lines of a charcoal drawing or the dramatic shadows of a monochrome photograph, this competition seeks to showcase the power of grayscale in all its forms. The deadline to submit your best monochrome pieces is January 15, 2026.
For artists interested in current photo contests that value visual purity and contrast, this event presents a focused opportunity to showcase your talent. The gallery is looking for 2D artworks (including painting, photography, and digital art) that demonstrate creativity and technical skill strictly in black, white, and shades of gray. With a focus on online presentation, it is an accessible platform for both emerging and established artists to have their work seen by a global audience.
Contents
The “Black & White” Online Art Competition Prizes
The primary reward for this competition is visibility within a curated artistic context. Selected artists will have their work featured in the “Black & White” online exhibition, which serves as a digital gallery accessible to collectors and art enthusiasts worldwide. The gallery actively promotes the exhibition through its extensive social media network and newsletters.
The specific awards include:
- First Place: The winning artwork will be featured on the official poster of the show.
- Top Awards: First, Second, and Third Place awards will be granted based on artistic merit, with a featured article about the artist and their work.
- Honorable Mentions: Merit awards and Honorable Mention awards will also be given to standout entries depending on the quality of submissions.
- Certification: All selected artists receive a digital award certificate.
- Promotion: Extensive online publicity, with accepted works displayed alongside the artist’s name, title, and a link back to their website.
Related Photo Contests
The Categories of the “Black & White” Online Art Competition
This competition does not divide submissions into categories. Instead, it unites them under one strict requirement: black and white only. All works must be devoid of color and use only black, white, or grayscale tones. This theme welcomes diverse mediums, from painting and monochrome photography to digital art, collage, prints, and even installation pieces.
“Black & White” Online Art Competition Dates and Entry Fees
The submission window is currently open and closes in mid-January, giving artists a chance to start the new year with a significant entry. The exhibition launch follows shortly after the deadline.
Key Dates:
| Submission Deadline | January 15, 2026 |
| Winners Notification | January 23, 2026 |
| Exhibition Opening | January 24, 2026 |
Entry Costs:
The competition has a tiered entry fee structure to cover administrative costs and exhibition promotion. This allows artists to submit multiple works at a reduced rate per image.
- 2 Images: $20
- 4 Images: $28
- 6 Images: $40
- 8 Images: $48
- Up to 10 Images: $58
How to Enter:
Submissions are accepted exclusively through the Contemporary Art Room Gallery website. Entrants must fill out the online submission form and upload their digital files. Images should be in JPEG format, with a maximum file size of 2.0 MB. The files must be clear and in focus, with any background cropped out. Files must be named with the artist’s first name, last name, and the title of the work (e.g., FirstName-LastName-Title.jpg).
About the Jury
The judging is conducted by the curatorial team at Contemporary Art Room Gallery. They evaluate submissions based on specific criteria: creativity, interpretation of the theme, originality, quality of art, overall design, demonstration of artistic ability, and usage of the medium. The process is designed to be fair and impartial, focusing solely on the artistic merit of the images provided.
Why Enter “Black & White” Online Art Competition?
In the digital age, having an online presence is crucial for any artist. This competition is one of the best photo contests to participate in for building that presence without the logistical headaches of physical shipping. The gallery handles the presentation and promotion, allowing you to focus on creating.
Furthermore, winning or receiving an honorable mention adds a validated credit to your CV. Being part of a curated group exhibition demonstrates that your work has been vetted by professionals, which can be a stepping stone to further opportunities in the art world.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of the “Black & White” Online Art Competition by Contemporary Art Room Gallery has been generated automatically. If you are interested in participating in this contest we suggest you review the complete rules provided by the contest.
Copyright and Usage:
Artists retain full copyright of all submitted works. By entering, you grant Contemporary Art Room Gallery a non-exclusive license to use the images for the purpose of promoting the exhibition and the gallery. This includes displaying the work on the website and using it for marketing purposes. The gallery explicitly states that images will not be resold, exchanged, or copied from the site.
Eligibility:
The competition is open to all artists worldwide who are 18 years of age or older. All visual art mediums are allowed, including painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, digital, prints, fiber art, collage, or installation art (video and sound art are excluded). Artworks containing pornographic or satanic content will not be considered.
For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.
