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City Lights by Ten Moir Gallery is built for photographers who can turn a city’s glow into a story, neon reflections, layered facades, commuters in motion, and the quiet corners that only show up after dark. Framed as a monthly “Art Challenge” with a dedicated track for photography, it invites urban images that feel alive, whether they’re crisp architectural studies or moody street scenes. Submissions close on May 31, 2026, with results emailed on June 18, 2026.
The contest offers a headline award that mixes recognition with a cash prize: Best in Show receives $150 plus an artist interview, homepage placement, and a mini spotlight feature. Beyond the top award, the structure is designed around visibility. Selected works are published in a curated online collection that includes the artist’s name and a link, while finalists receive certificates and ongoing listing. There is also a “Runner Ups (Traditional & Photography)” recognition level with a website feature and dedicated social post. For photographers browsing photo challenges online, this one stands out for its clear theme and the way it packages credits, placements, and shareable assets around the results.
Entry is partly time-sensitive. The first image can be submitted for free up to an early-bird deadline (March 10, 2026). After that, and for additional images, tiered fees apply, topping out at $55 for a larger set. For photographers working on night photography themes, the City Lights brief is straightforward: show how your city looks when it’s illuminated, busy, and unmistakably urban.
Prizes
City Lights by Ten Moir Gallery 2026 awards one top prize and several recognition levels that emphasize online publication, promotional features, and portfolio-ready credentials. The contest also includes a cash component:
- Best in Show: $150 cash award, an artist interview, The Moir mini spotlight feature, a homepage feature, and a free entry to the Blue Sky Artist Award.
- Runner Ups (Traditional & Photography): a website feature, a dedicated social media post, an Art Journal Mini Spotlight, and a free Blue Sky entry.
- Finalists (Top 15–20): permanent listing, a digital certificate, and social highlights.
- All Selected Artists: inclusion on the curated collection page with the artist name, artwork title, and a link (when provided).
- Additional visibility elements referenced by the organizer: promotion across Ten Moir channels and partner listings, plus shareable badges and certificates for websites and social profiles.
Related Photo Contests
Categories or Themes
This challenge does not present separate categories. Instead, it runs on a single theme: “City Lights.” Entries are expected to explore illuminated city life, from glowing skylines and busy streets to layered architecture and everyday urban moments. While the platform welcomes multiple mediums, photography is explicitly included within the eligible formats for this themed call.
Dates and Entry Fees
The City Lights schedule is built around one early-bird window and a single final deadline.
Key dates:
- First entry free until: March 10, 2026
- Deadline to enter: May 31, 2026
- Results emailed: June 18, 2026
Entry fees:
- 1 image: free only if submitted by the early-bird deadline (March 10, 2026)
- 2 images: $18
- 3 images: $25
- 4 images: $36
- 5 images: $45
- 6–10 images: $55
How to Enter
Entries are submitted through Ten Moir Gallery’s online form. Start with the free entry (when available), then add additional images within the same application if desired. The form requests artist details (name, email, country, optional website/portfolio), plus artwork information (title and medium).
Upload files as JPG or PNG, up to 3MB each, with 2000 pixels on the longest side. After confirming the submission, participants should check their email for confirmation.
About the Jury
Entries are reviewed by a panel of jurors. The published judging criteria focus on craftsmanship, presentation, interpretation of the theme, composition, creativity, and technical skill. The organizer also notes that entries are evaluated for creativity, technique, and overall impact.
Why Enter City Lights by Ten Moir Gallery?
City Lights by Ten Moir Gallery is designed for artists who want a clear, urban-focused brief and a results package that can be used immediately in a portfolio or CV. For those comparing best photography contests, this one is notable for combining a cash award with multiple tiers of online features and a permanent curated listing for finalists.
Because the theme is specific but broad in interpretation, it can suit both documentary-leaning city work and more stylized approaches. Photographers can enter a single standout image early, or submit a small set to show range across the same theme. If your work overlaps with street photography or architectural city studies, the challenge format can be a practical way to place a focused mini-series in front of a juried review process while gaining published credits if selected.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of the City Lights by Ten Moir 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.
Rules
Participants must be 18 years of age or older, and the call is open worldwide.
Only one free entry is allowed per artist per monthly challenge, limited by the published “first entry free until” deadline.
Eligible mediums include photography, as well as other 2D and 3D formats listed by the organizer.
Uploaded image files should be JPG or PNG, up to 3MB, sized to 2000 pixels on the longest side.
Copyright and Image Usage
Participants must own the rights to the work and the imagery they submit.
The organizer states that artists keep full rights to their work.
Selected works may be displayed on the organizer’s website in curated challenge collections, and may also appear in newsletters and promotional channels to highlight the artist, typically with the artist’s name and (when provided) a link back to a website or portfolio.
The organizer states they do not sell, license, or claim ownership of submitted work.
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For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.
