As the weeks pass and I reflect on receiving the Grand Prize in the 2025 NSMA International Painting Competition, I am both honored and immensely grateful. I will never forget the shock and joy that came over me as I saw my name written on the giant $25,000 check being presented to the audience. There are few moments in life that can send you spinning as you sit still, but this was one of them. In that moment, surrounded by fellow painters who are a great inspiration to me, I felt elated. NSMA has created something very special; a competition where painters are choosing the winner, an opportunity to build community, and a yearly showing of beautiful representational paintings. I am excited for its future, and absolutely over the moon to have my painting join the permanent collection at NSMA.
ELIZABETH BEARD – 2025 GRAND PRIZE WINNER
As the weeks pass and I reflect on receiving the Grand Prize in the 2025 NSMA International Painting Competition, I am both honored and immensely grateful. I will never forget the shock and joy that came over me as I saw my name written on the giant $25,000 check being presented to the audience. There are few moments in life that can send you spinning as you sit still, but this was one of them. In that moment, surrounded by fellow painters who are a great inspiration to me, I felt elated. NSMA has created something very special; a competition where painters are choosing the winner, an opportunity to build community, and a yearly showing of beautiful representational paintings. I am excited for its future, and absolutely over the moon to have my painting join the permanent collection at NSMA.
ELIZABETH BEARD – 2025 GRAND PRIZE WINNER
The NSMA International Painting Competition is a celebration of artistic excellence, inviting artists around the world 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 representational art movement.
EXHIBITION & PUBLICITY
An integral part of the competition is the exhibition and public recognition of the finalists’ works. The finalists' paintings will be showcased in a three month long exhibition at the New Salem Museum and Academy of Fine Art May 13th – August 16th, 2026, NSMA's busiest season of the year, providing finalists with a platform for broad recognition and appreciation.
AQUISITION AWARD: $35K
What distinguishes this competition most notably is its approach to the Grand Prize: a $35,000 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 has 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.
The NSMA International Competition is open to professional and student artists worldwide.
Finalists are required to exhibit their original artwork and be present for final judging and awards at the exhibition opening ceremony, as well as exhibit their artwork for the entirety of NSMA’s finalist exhibition.
THEME
Focusing on contemporary realism in painting, this yearly competition is intended to serve as a beacon for the highest standards in representational art, motivating the next generation of artists to reach for ever higher quality and impact in their work. All subject matter is welcome - figurative, landscape, still life, etc., and all painting mediums are welcome - oil, watercolor, acrylic, gouache, tempera, etc.
NSMA is seeking work that reflects not only exceptional technical proficiency but also a deeply felt artistic vision; it is in the fusion of these elements that the true power of representational painting emerges. In this competition, artistic spirit and technical mastery are not in opposition, but rather animate and elevate one another – resulting in a selection of works that are both formally rigorous and emotionally resonant.
JUDGING
A panel of jurors will select finalists based on artistic vision and technical skill. These finalists will then selected a single Acquisition Award winner on the day of the Awards Gala through a private voting process in which each finalist must vote for a painting other than their own. This unique method of selection is intended to foster an environment of peer respect and shared celebration.
COMPETITION PRIZES
GRAND PRIZE
ACQUISITION AWARD
The winning artist will be awarded a grand prize of $35,000 and the painting will join the rotating permanent collection at NSMA.
$35,000
cash prize
DIRECTOR'S CHOICE
AWARD
NSMA is collaborating with Michael Harding Oil Paint to offer $2,500 in fine artist supplies. Michael Harding is renowned for making some of the finest quality oil paints in the world. This award will be chosen by NSMA Director, painter Michael Klein, at the awards gala.
$2,500
in MH supplies
PEOPLE'S CHOICE
AWARD
Voting for the People's Choice Award is open to all museum visitors during the length of the two month finalist exhibition, and the winner will receive $2,500.
$2,500
cash prize
COMPETITION TIMELINE
ENTRY ACCEPTANCE OPEN
August 1st, 2025
10:00 AM EST
FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
Saturday, March 8th, 2026
ENTRY ACCEPTANCE CLOSE
February 15th, 2026
11:59PM EST
AWARDS GALA
Sunday, May 9th, 2026
11:59PM EST
COMPETITION TIMELINE
ENTRY ACCEPTANCE OPEN
August 1st, 2025
10:00 AM EST
ENTRY ACCEPTANCE CLOSE
February 15th, 2026
11:59 PM EST
ENTRY ACCEPTANCE CLOSE
February 15th, 2026
11:59 PM EST
FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
Sunday March 8th, 2026
AWARDS GALA
Saturday May 9th, 2026
8:00 AM EST
FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
Saturday, March 8th, 2026
8:00 AM EST
AWARDS GALA
Saturday May 9th, 2025
8:00 AM EST
COMPETITION TIMELINE
ENTRY ACCEPTANCE CLOSE
February 1st, 2025
11:59PM EST
ENTRY ACCEPTANCE CLOSE
February 1st, 2025
11:59PM EST
ENTRY ACCEPTANCE CLOSE
February 1st, 2025
11:59PM EST
ENTRY ACCEPTANCE CLOSE
February 1st, 2025
11:59PM EST
COPYRIGHT & REPRODUCTION RIGHTS
Participants grant NSMA limited rights to reproduce submitted works for promotional purposes. Artists retain all other copyright rights
ENTRY FEE
1 Entry = $50
2 Entries = $90
3 Entries = $125
4 Entries = $150
Each additional entry = $25
Please note: Discounted entry fees apply only when multiple entries are submitted within the same form. Submissions made on separate occasions are treated as standalone entries and charged at the standard individual rate.
MISCELLANEOUS RULES
NSMA reserves the right to make final decisions on any matters not covered in these rules. Any updates to the rules will be posted with clear marking on the official NSMA competition website page.
ELIGIBILITY
The NSMA International Painting Competition is open to artists worldwide!
Finalists are required to exhibit their original artwork for the length of the NSMA Finalists' exhibition. Although we strongly encourage all finalists to attend the Awards Gala (most were in attendance for our 2025 Competition), finalists are NOT required to be present at the Awards Gala.
ENTRY FEE
1 Entry = $50
2 Entries = $90
3 Entries = $125
4 Entries = $150
Each additional entry = $25
Please note: Discounted entry fees apply only when multiple entries are submitted within the same form. Submissions made on separate occasions are treated as standalone entries and charged at the standard individual rate.
ELIGIBILITY
The NSMA International Painting Competition is open to artists worldwide!
Finalists are required to exhibit their original artwork for the length of the NSMA Finalists' exhibition. Although we strongly encourage all finalists to attend the Awards Gala (most were in attendance for our 2025 Competition), finalists are NOT required to be present at the Awards Gala.
COPYRIGHT & REPRODUCTION RIGHTS
Participants grant NSMA limited rights to reproduce submitted works for promotional purposes. Artists retain all other copyright rights
MISCELLANEOUS RULES
NSMA reserves the right to make final decisions on any matters not covered in these rules. Any updates to the rules will be posted with clear marking on the official NSMA competition website page.
ARTWORK SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
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Finalists are required to exhibit their original artwork for the length of the NSMA Finalists' exhibition. Although we strongly encourage all finalists to attend the Awards Gala (most were in attendance for our 2025 Competition), finalists are NOT required to be present at the Awards Gala.
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Entrants must only submit original handmade paintings created within the past five years. Entrants are not permitted to use copyrighted images as the primary basis for their artwork
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All painting mediums are welcome – oil, watercolor, acrylic, gouache, tempera, etc.
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Paintings must be available for the length of the three month finalist exhibition, May 13th-August 16th, 2026. Paintings must also be available for acquisition if awarded the $35,000 Acquisition Award
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The longest side of the painting should not be longer than 65” (UNFRAMED)
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Entrants must upload one high-resolution photograph of their painting (JPG, JPEG or PNG, 1 MB - 10 MB). Produce the highest quality photo you are able. The full composition of the painting must be included (edge to edge), cropped close-ups are not permitted. If you are selected as a finalist, this photo will be used on our website when announcing and marketing the finalists and exhibition.
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Image quality is crucial; photographs must be clear, well-lit, and in focus, without digital alterations except for basic color adjustments to make the image as true to life as possible.
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File Naming - Please name your file in the following format: "FirstName_LastName_WidthxHeight" (ex: John_Smith_32x40) – please use inches
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Digital art, prints, photography, AI/computer generated art, mixed media, drawings and sculpture are not allowed
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NSMA reserves the right to eliminate artworks if the jurors feel the method of creation is in question. In cases where a work is under consideration for disqualification, efforts will be made to reach out and engage in a discussion with the artist regarding the techniques employed before any disqualifications are made. If you have inquiries about the types of works accepted in the NSMA competition, reach out to info@newsalemmuseum.com for further clarification
FEES
Finalists are responsible transporting their artwork safely to NSMA for the finalist exhibition and transporting the painting back upon conclusion of the exhibition. Finalists are also responsible for framing their work if applicable. Gallery wrapped works are acceptable in the exhibition, but they must have a clean, professional presentation (no staples, clean or painted sides).
ENTRY
Enter the competition using the embedded form below. You can also enter directly at this link. Entries will close as of 11:59PM EST on Sunday February 15th, 2026 - if you have any questions about your entry please email info@newsalemuseum.com
ENTRY
Enter the competition by completing the entry form that you will be linked to after clicking the red button below, or via this link. Entries will close as of 11:59PM EST on Sunday February 15th, 2026 - if you have any questions about your entry please email us at info@newsalemuseum.com