2025 NSMA PAINTING COMPETITION

The NSMA International Painting Competition is a celebration of artistic excellence, inviting global artists to showcase the finest in contemporary realist painting. This competition stands as a testament to the enduring allure and expressive power of representational painting. It provides artists with a prestigious platform to showcase their talent, engage with their peers, and contribute to the rich tapestry of representational art.

The competition, with its emphasis on artistic excellence, integrity, and engagement with peers, is designed to stand as a radiant beacon within the contemporary realist art movement for the highest standards in representational art, motivating the next generation of artists to reach for ever higher quality and impact in their work.
 

GRAND PRIZE ACQUISITION AWARD – $25,000

What distinguishes this competition most notably is its approach to the Grand Prize: a $25,000 Acquisition Award for the selected painting to join NSMA’s permanent collection. Rather than a single juror or panel selecting the winner, the finalists themselves will determine the recipient of the Acquisition Award. Each finalist had the opportunity to cast a vote for their favorite work in the exhibition – excluding their own – ensuring that the museum acquires a piece that is not only of the highest artistic merit, but also one that is most admired by the very artists who stand among the best of their field.

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DIRECTOR’S CHOICE AWARD – $2,500 in Rosemary & Co. Fine Artist Brushes

NSMA collaborated with Rosemary & Co. Brushes to offer $2,500 in fine artist brushes. Rosemary & Co. is renowned for making the finest quality hand made artist brushes in the world. This award was chosen at the Awards Gala by NSMA Director, painter Michael Klein.

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PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD – $2,500

Voting for the People's Choice Award is open to all museum visitors during the length of the finalists' exhibition, and the winner will receive $2,500. The response to this award has been fantastic – museum visitors love voting, and due to the responsibility given to them to vote for their favorite piece in the show, visitors are far more engaged in discussion and debate about the artwork than we usually observe. Museum attendance soared as visitors invited family and friends to vote alongside them.