Territory: Worldwide
Theme: Open
Eligibility: If you work in a representational style, in any photographic medium including both analogue and digital photography, you are eligible to enter the Photography Award.
Entry Fees: $40
Prize: Cash Prize
The Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize, now in its 9th year, is an annual non-acquisitive international art prize that celebrates diversity and excellence in the representational visual arts, with a specific Photography Award for photographers to enter. All styles of photography – from realism and hyperrealism to pop surrealism and lowbrow – are welcome to enter. The Prize seeks to inspire creatives from around the world to pursue a life and career in the arts, and to help careers grow through funding and increased exposure of their work to galleries, collectors and media globally.
The Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize offers substantial cash prizes to winners, providing financial support for the artist’s practice. This support can help artists cover costs associated with their work, such as materials, studio rent, and equipment.
Additionally, prize money provides artists with the financial flexibility to take risks and pursue new projects without worrying about financial constraints. This freedom allows artists to focus on their practice without the added stress of financial insecurity. Winners will also be invited to exhibit in the Beautiful Bizarre-curated group exhibition at Modern Eden Gallery in San Francisco in October 2026.
2026 Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize
The international Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize recognizes the most skilled, creative, and unique contemporary artists within their category, as well as one extraordinary overall Grand Prize Award Winner.
From the entries received, the 200 short-listed Finalists (25 per category for Drawing, Digital Art, Photography, Sculpture, Imaginative Realism, and Emerging Artist Award, and 50 for the Painting Award category) will receive extensive international promotion through Beautiful Bizarre Magazine’s email marketing, website coverage, social media marketing and advertising (2 million+ followers), along with additional connections and outreach through partners, supporters, and media.
From the Finalists, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Prize Winners in each Award Category, plus the overall Grand Prize Award Winner of the 2026 Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize, will be selected by the Jury Panel and announced in mid-September 2026.
1st Place MPB Photography Award Winner
$3,000 USD cash generously donated by MPB. Founded in 2011, MPB is the leading reseller of used digital cameras and lenses in the U.S. MPB changes the game by offering the best prices and the most convenient way to buy, sell, and trade used camera gear. With a circular business model, MPB extends the life and creative potential of camera gear by recirculating over half a million cameras and lenses each year.
20×30 Epic Print + $250 Lab Credit (worth $672 USD) by Bay Photo, the trusted partner for photographers, artists, and creatives since 1976. The Epic Print includes optional framing and a choice of display options.
FocusPoint™ 30L RollTop backpack, generously donated by Think Tank. Founded in 2005 with the aim of supporting photographers, Think Tank designs sophisticated travel gear for visual storytellers and explorers.
$250 USD worth of printing credit on C-Type papers, generously donated by Spectrum. Established for nearly three decades, Spectrum is an imaging lab specializing in high-quality fine art and photographic printing, mounting, and exhibition services for professional photographers, artists, galleries, and museums worldwide. Please note that prints must be 750 mm or under on the shortest side, and shipping outside the UK is not included. Any duties incurred must be covered by the recipient. Credit applies to Studio printing only and must be used within one year of receipt.
A beautiful, specially commissioned glass art award trophy.
The opportunity to exhibit in the prestigious Beautiful Bizarre Magazine exhibition at Modern Eden Gallery in San Francisco, USA, alongside more than 100 of the world’s leading contemporary representational artists.
Exposure to a successful commercial gallery’s collector base, with the opportunity to sell their work.
A 3-month social media advertising package (Beautiful Bizarre Magazine: 2 million+ followers across all platforms).
Winning artwork printed in the December 2026 issue of Beautiful Bizarre Magazine as part of the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize editorial.
An exclusive in-depth interview published on the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize and Beautiful Bizarre Magazine websites and shared across Beautiful Bizarre Magazine social media.
Profile listing (including artwork gallery) on the Beautiful Bizarre Artist Directory for 12 months — a platform used by artists, curators, and collectors to discover exceptional work.
A year’s worth of inspiration with a print subscription to Beautiful Bizarre Magazine.
Image: © Augustina Miknevičiūtė – Lunaria
