Art Competitions for Minneapolis Artists Spring 2026

Whether you’re just starting to show your work or you’re a seasoned professional, having high-quality photographs of your artwork can make all the difference when entering juried exhibitions. Great photos help your submission stand out, show your work at its best, and can improve your competitive edge. When you’re ready to enter a competition, let me know which one you need images for, and I’ll provide files that fit the specifications exactly—resolution, color space, file format, dimensions—whatever the competition requires. You focus on creating great art; I’ll make sure it looks its best in the submission. Many of the artists I’ve worked with have gone on to win major national and international awards. Here are just a few of them:

Below, you’ll find a curated list of juried art competitions. These events offer opportunities for visibility, recognition, and sales—whether you’re submitting a painting or mixed media piece. If you know of a local or national competition I should add, feel free to send it my way. I enjoy helping my artists make the most of every opportunity.

🎯 Pro Tips for Entering Art Competitions

Submitting your work to juried exhibitions can be exciting and a little intimidating. Here are a few tips to help you stand out and avoid common pitfalls:

Follow the rules exactly. Each competition has specific requirements for file size, resolution, medium, dimensions, framing, and labeling. Submitting the wrong format or incomplete information can disqualify even excellent work.
Invest in professional photography. Your image is your first impression. Blurry, unevenly lit, or distorted photos won’t do your work justice. I specialize in photographing artwork for competition entries and can help you ensure it looks its absolute best.
Choose your best, most cohesive work. Select pieces that represent your style and skill level. If submitting multiple works, try to choose ones that feel like they belong together, even across different subjects or media.
Don’t wait until the deadline. Give yourself time to prepare your files, fill out the application, and resolve any last-minute issues. Many competitions get a rush of submissions near the deadline, and slow servers or technical issues can be stressful.
Keep a record. Track where and when you’ve submitted each piece, what images you used, and the results. This helps with planning and improves your chances over time.
Think beyond winning. Even if your piece isn’t accepted, juried shows can still be valuable exposure, and the act of preparing and submitting helps sharpen your skills. Rejection is part of the process for even the most seasoned artists.

🏆 National Art Competitions for Painters – 2026

Art Renewal Center (ARC) Salon – 19th International Competition

Entries Expected: Spring 2026 (March–June, based on past years) – Check website now Location: Online and international exhibitions The 19th International ARC Salon is expected to be open for entries now—based on past years, the entry window runs March through June. This is the largest competition dedicated to 21st Century Realism, offering over $130,000 in cash awards and opportunities for international recognition through partnerships with prestigious magazines, galleries, and museums. Categories include Figurative, Portraiture, Imaginative Realism, Drawing, Landscape, Still Life, Plein Air Painting, Fully From Life, Sculpture, and Animals. There’s even a special category for teen artists. Entry fees start around $28 (includes a copy of the ARC Salon book). Let me know you are submitting and I can provide an image that fits their specifications exactly! Art Renewal Center (ARC) Salon website

Salon Art Prize (formerly PleinAir Salon) – 16th Annual

Dates: Monthly competitions through March 2027; Annual Grand Prizes announced at Plein Air Convention, May 2027 Location: Online The PleinAir Salon has rebranded as the Salon Art Prize for its 16th Annual, and it now features two Grand Prizes of $15,000 each—one for the cover of PleinAir Magazine and a new second prize for Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine. Total annual prizes have increased to over $65,000. Despite the name, this competition is open to ALL types of paintings, not just plein air works. Monthly entry deadlines fall at the end of each month. Early bird pricing (1st–15th of month): $29 first entry, $12 additional. Regular pricing (16th–month end): $40 first entry, $16 additional. Monthly winners are automatically entered into the Annual Competition. Salon Art Prize website

Artists Magazine Annual Art Competition – 43rd Annual

Final Deadline: June 11, 2026 Location: Online The 43rd Annual Competition is currently accepting entries. This competition celebrates outstanding works in various art media, offering $17,500 in cash prizes across five categories: Landscape/Cityscape, Animal & Wildlife, Still Life & Interior, Portrait & Figure, and Abstract & Experimental. Entry fees are $30–$40 depending on membership status. All winners and honorable mentions are featured in Artists Magazine (typically the Jan/Feb issue of the following year). Artists Magazine Annual Art Competition website

Oil Painters of America (OPA) – 2026 Regional Exhibitions

Western Regional Exhibition Entries Accepted: April 1 – June 12, 2026 Location: Cassens Fine Art, Hamilton, Montana Now open for entries! Open to OPA members residing in western U.S. states and western Canadian provinces. OPA membership required ($80/year). Eastern/Southeast Regional Exhibition Entries Accepted: June 15 – August 20, 2026 Location: Principle Gallery, Alexandria, Virginia Open to OPA members in eastern states and eastern Canadian provinces. Check the OPA website for full eligibility details. Oil Painters of America exhibitions website

National Oil & Acrylic Painters’ Society (NOAPS) – Upcoming 2026 Exhibitions

Best of America – 36th National Exhibition Application Deadline: Expected Summer 2026 – check NOAPS website Exhibition: Fall 2026 (gallery location TBD) NOAPS members only. Over $35,000 in cash and sponsor awards. Maximum size 1200 square inches (excluding frame). Annual membership $62. Fall International Online Exhibition Application Deadline: Expected October 2026 – check NOAPS website Open to members and non-members working in oil and acrylic. 200 artworks accepted with cash awards around $4,500. NOAPS website

Minted Design Challenges

Dates: Rolling competitions throughout the year Location: Online (minted.com) This is a unique opportunity—less traditional competition, more commercial marketplace. Minted runs art challenges where community voting and expert curation determine winners. Winners receive a $200 cash prize plus their designs are sold as fine art prints, stationery, and home goods. Artists earn 6–10% royalty on all sales. This is great for artists looking for passive income and exposure to a broad consumer audience. The platform handles all production, shipping, and customer service. Minted Design Challenges website

🎨 The Great Minnesota Painting Competition

Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts Competition

Registration Opens: May 5, 2026 Registration Deadline: July 14, 2026 (4:30 PM) Jurying: July 15–20, 2026 (digital review) Artists Notified: July 21–22, 2026 Artwork Delivery: August 2–3, 2026 Exhibition: August 27 – September 7, 2026 Location: Fine Arts Center, Minnesota State Fairgrounds, Falcon Heights, MN Minnesota’s largest juried art exhibition showcases over 300 pieces selected from thousands of submissions by artists across the state. Open exclusively to Minnesota residents, the competition features eight classes: Painting/Mixed Media, Sculpture, Watercolor/Gouache/Casein/Tempera, Drawings/Pastel, Printmaking, Ceramics/Glass, Textiles/Fiber, and Photography. Each artist may submit one piece for consideration. The exhibition is displayed in the historic Fine Arts Center during the 12-day fair. Works accepted into the exhibition may be listed for sale through the Minnesota State Fair Foundation at a 20% commission. Let me know you are submitting and I can provide an image that fits their specifications exactly! Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts Competition website

🎨 Midwest Plein Air Painting Competitions – 2026

Paint Cedarburg

Dates: May 31 – June 7, 2026 Location: Cedarburg, WI Wisconsin’s largest gathering of plein air artists, with over 165 participants painting historic structures, coffee shops, and the picturesque countryside. Cedarburg Cultural Center website Cedarburg Business Website

Mississippi Riverscapes Plein Air Art Competition

Dates: June 1, 2026 Location: Alton, IL An open-air art competition inviting artists to capture the scenic beauty of the Mississippi River, open to all professional and amateur artists aged 16 and up. Mississippi Riverscapes Plein Air Art Competition website

Jefferson Plein Air

Dates: June 11–14, 2026 Location: Jefferson, WI Artists capture historic buildings, rivers, landscapes, and other points of interest throughout Jefferson during this four-day outdoor painting competition. Jefferson Plein Air website

Evanston Plein Air Festival

Dates: July 18–20, 2026 Location: Evanston, IL A weekend event featuring a Paint Out competition, plein air art market, live music, and opportunities for artists to sell their work directly to the public. Evanston Plein Air Festival website

Door County Plein Air Festival

Dates: July 19–25, 2026 Location: Fish Creek, WI The Midwest’s premier outdoor painting event, featuring 30–36 invited artists from across the U.S., with an online exhibition and sale following the festival. Door County Plein Air Festival website

Plein Air at the Fair – Wisconsin State Fair

Dates: August 10–11, 2026 Entry Deadline: July 8, 2026 – 7 pm Location: West Allis, WI Open to all artists, this competition challenges participants to create artwork onsite at the Wisconsin State Fair, with finished works available for purchase by the public. Plein Air at the Fair website

Plein Air Grand Marais

Main Competition Week: September 11–19, 2026 Public Reception & Awards: September 19, 2026 (5:00–7:00 PM) Location: Grand Marais, MN An annual tradition since 2008, this event brings outdoor painters to the North Shore of Lake Superior for a week of painting, learning, competition, and camaraderie. Over $7,000 in awards. Two classes: Competition Class (invitational and experienced painters) and Open Class (all skill levels welcome). Features daily paint-outs, workshops with professional artists, a Quick Paint competition, and artist socials throughout the week. Organized by Outdoor Painters of Minnesota and hosted by the Cook County Historical Society’s Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery. Plein Air Grand Marais website

Iowa Plein Air Competition

Dates: Labor Day Weekend 2026 Location: Amana, IA Iowa’s longest-tenured plein air event, combining the talents of Midwest artists with Iowa’s incredible scenery for a collaborative and comprehensive experience. Iowa Plein Air Competition website

Fairfield PaintOut

Dates: September 18, 2026 Location: Fairfield, IL Artists are invited to paint rural settings, small-town scenes, and picturesque shorelines in Southeastern Illinois, with housing and most meals provided during the week. Fairfield PaintOut website

Waukesha Plein Air Competition

Dates: September 29 – October 4, 2026 Location: Waukesha, WI A week-long plein air event culminating in an artists reception and sales event during the Waukesha Art Crawl. Waukesha Plein Air Competition website

Paint the Towns in Fall Color

Dates: October 1–8, 2026 Location: Plymouth, WI Midwest artists are invited to a full week of plein air painting in historic Plymouth and surrounding rural areas, concluding with a public exhibition and silent auction. Paint the Towns in Fall Color website

Prairie Lakes Plein Air

Dates: Summer 2026 Location: Otter Tail County, MN A festival of art education, exhibition, and competition open to artists of all skill levels, set in the idyllic lakes country of West-Central Minnesota. Prairie Lakes Plein Air website

Red Wing Arts Plein Air

Dates: Summer 2026 Location: Red Wing, MN Celebrating its 19th annual event, artists paint recognizable scenes of Red Wing, capturing the interplay of light and shadow along the Mississippi River bluffs. Red Wing Arts Plein Air website

Into Nature Plein Air Competition

Dates: Summer 2026 Location: White Bear Lake, MN Open to artists of all experience levels, this competition captures the beauty of Minnesota summer, with all artwork displayed in the Ford Family Gallery. Into Nature Plein Air Competition website Note: Many plein air competition dates for 2026 haven’t been officially announced yet. Check individual event websites closer to the event dates for updated information and registration details.