The 40th Chelsea International Fine Art Competition 2026 is open. This landmark edition brings work to New York’s Chelsea art district with prizes valued at more than $70,000, including a group exhibition at Agora Gallery, $1,000 cash awards, and year-long online features. Entries are accepted across fine art media, including photography, through a straightforward image upload. If you track photography challenges and contests, this is a strong pick to consider.
Submissions officially open on October 14, 2025. The deadline is April 28, 2026. Results are announced on June 2, 2026. The entry fee is $55 for up to five images with $5 for each additional image. Accepted media include painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, digital media, printing, and mixed media. Thirty artists are selected for a Chelsea group exhibition. Five artists receive $1,000 cash awards. Five artists receive a one-year ARTmine feature with professional statement support. Ten artists receive an honorable mention with complimentary entry to the next edition.
For photographers working in a gallery-oriented style, this Chelsea International Fine Art Competition is a true fine art photography competition. Lens-based work sits alongside painting and sculpture and reaches curators, collectors, and media through coordinated outreach. With a clear prize structure and strong visibility, it is a practical route to show work in New York while competing for cash and publication-style exposure.
The 40th Chelsea International Fine Art Competition 2026 Prizes
The prize structure for the 40th Chelsea International Fine Art Competition 2026 is designed to give artists tangible exposure and professional development opportunities. A total prize value exceeding $70,000 supports artists, offering real-world visibility in one of New York’s most active art districts.
- Chelsea Exhibition; Thirty selected artists will exhibit their work at Agora Gallery, right in the heart of New York’s Chelsea art district. Each participant benefits from a full promotional package.
- Cash Awards: Five artists will receive $1,000 each.
- ARTmine Online Promotion: Five participants will gain a one-year feature on ARTmine, Agora’s curated online platform.
- Honorable Mentions: Ten participants will receive an Honorable Mention along with complimentary entry to the next edition of the competition.
Together, these awards form a prize structure that blends exposure, recognition, and practical career benefits, an appealing mix for anyone entering serious fine art photography contests or aiming to build a visible professional track record in the New York art scene.
Related Photo Contests
40th Chelsea International Fine Art Competition 2026 Dates and Entry Fees
- Early Bird: September 16, 2025.
- Opens: October 14, 2025.
- Deadline: April 28, 2026.
- Results: June 2, 2026.
Entry fee:
- $55 for up to 5 images.
- $5 for each additional image.
How to Enter:
Create an account on the official site, upload JPG images, and include the title, dimensions, and medium for each piece. Complete payment to finalize the submission. Once payment is made, entries cannot be modified.
About the Jury
The 40th Chelsea International Fine Art Competition is juried by curator and arts writer Naomi Lev and curator and researcher Katherine C. M. Adams. Their combined experience spans visual art, moving image, and performance, which helps frame photography within a broader fine art context.
Why Enter 40th Chelsea International Fine Art Competition 2026?
Photographers who identify their practice as fine art will find a clear fit here. The Chelsea location brings in-person exposure in a concentrated art district with coordinated PR. The prize structure adds measurable value through cash awards, a New York exhibition, and year-long online promotion. It sits comfortably among fine art photography contests, and it can complement other popular photo challenges online in a broader submission plan.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of the 40th Chelsea International Fine Art Competition 2026 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
Eligibility is 18+. Accepted media include painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, digital media, printing, and mixed media. Not accepted are video, film, performance, jewelry, crafts, and AI-generated art. Submissions are JPG images that include title, dimensions, and medium. Two-dimensional works may not exceed 75 × 85 inches. Three-dimensional works may not exceed 72 × 72 × 24 inches. All submitted work must be available for sale. Artists selected for the exhibition handle printing or framing, shipping to and from the gallery, and transit insurance.
Copyright and Image Usage
The organizer promotes selected artists through press releases, gallery listings, web pages, and social channels linked to the exhibition and online features. For complete terms on usage rights and sales, review the competition’s Terms and Conditions on the official site.
For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.
