Malamegi Lab Art Prize opens the door to a broad spectrum of visual practices (photography included) under a free theme and a clear promise of visibility. Entries close on December 19, 2025, with a streamlined online form and a tiered fee system based on the number of artworks submitted. Twelve finalists will be selected for a group exhibition, with additional distinctions ranging from an acquisition award and a cash prize to the publication of a monographic art book. For photographers browsing online photo contests, this international call stands out for its combination of exhibition, publication, and acquisition opportunities that span both traditional and digital mediums.
Photography flows easily alongside painting, sculpture, mixed media, and video, with an open theme that encourages artists to blur lines between fine art, conceptual, and experimental photography. The prize pool is broad: one finalist receives a €1,000 cash award, another has a work acquired for up to €2,000, one develops a monographic art book with editorial support, and an additional collaboration creates a new Malamegi Collection. The Malamegi Lab Art Prize final exhibition and printed catalog make it a solid fit for those drawn to open theme photo contests that bridge gallery presentation and print publication.
Contents
Prizes
The Malamegi Lab Art Prize names twelve finalists for a collective exhibition and then assigns several distinctions across that group. Each of these awards offers a tangible benefit that can meaningfully extend an artist’s reach.
- New Malamegi Collection (1 finalist):
A collaboration to create a dedicated collection to be presented to Malamegi’s buyer and collector network, offering exposure within the commercial art circuit. - Artwork Acquisition Award (1 finalist):
Purchase of one finalist’s work for Malamegi’s private collection, up to €2,000, positioning the artist within a recognized body of collectible works. - Cash Prize (1 finalist):
€1,000 awarded for quality and originality. This is an ideal complement for those seeking photography contests with cash prizes. - Monographic Catalogue (1 finalist):
A full artist monograph curated and produced by Malamegi, printed in about 100 copies with a dedicated allocation for the artist (a prize type seen in publication photography prizes). - Collective Exhibition (12 finalists):
Finalists exhibit together, supported by a catalog and promotional campaign. A valuable outcome among exhibition photography competitions.
Related Photo Contests
Categories or Themes
The Malamegi Lab Art Prize keeps a free theme, welcoming every visual approach and style. This openness lets photographers submit single images or full series that draw from documentary, portrait, or street photography, as well as from cross-disciplinary visual storytelling. Its open format invites both intimate and expansive interpretations, favoring creative freedom over rigid categories.
Dates and Entry Fees
The competition maintains a single submission window and a clear fee structure. Artists can apply easily online.
- Submission Deadline: December 19, 2025.
Entry Fees:
- 1 artwork €45
- 2 artworks €75
- 3 artworks €105
- 4 artworks €125
- 5 artworks €135
- 6 artworks €150
Payments are accepted by credit/debit card, PayPal, or bank transfer. Entry fees are non-refundable.
How to Enter:
Applicants must complete the Malamegi Lab Art Prize online submission form, select “Photography” as their medium, and upload JPEG files with the required metadata. Up to six artworks can be included per entry. All submissions and payments must be finalized within the same session to confirm participation. The process is intuitive and suitable for international artists accustomed to international photography contests.
About the Jury
Selections and distinctions are made by Malamegi Lab’s internal staff and the artistic and commercial departments of Malamegi. Their curatorial process reflects the organization’s dual focus on creative merit and market potential, aligning with the evaluative standards seen in other fine art photography awards.
Why Enter Malamegi Lab Art Prize?
The Malamegi Lab Art Prize focuses on what matters most to photographers and visual artists alike: real visibility and tangible rewards. It offers a physical exhibition, a printed publication, and the chance for acquisition or collaboration, with a total prize value of around €5,000. Its open theme leaves space for personal interpretation and embraces every approach (from conceptual and experimental to portrait and documentary photography). Among the best photography competitions to enter this year, it stands out for turning artistic recognition into something lasting, through acquisitions, books, and continued gallery presence.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of the Malamegi Lab Art Prize 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
- Open to visual artists worldwide, including photographers, without age or theme restriction.
- Admitted media include photography, painting, sculpture, digital art, video, graphics, and mixed media.
- Each artist may submit up to six artworks per application. Maximum physical artwork size: 3 × 3 meters, as documented by submitted images.
- Twelve finalists are selected post-deadline. Awards are assigned following the exhibition.
- Artists are responsible for shipping, insurance, and retrieval of their works. Unclaimed works after six months are forfeited.
Copyright and Image Usage
- Artists retain full ownership and copyright of submitted works.
- By entering, artists grant Malamegi a non-exclusive right to reproduce images for communication, exhibition, catalog, and archival purposes, always crediting the artist.
- Winning artists are contacted directly for logistical arrangements; results are later published on the official website.
For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.
