Contemporary Art Room Gallery is proud to announce their ninth “Colors” Online Art Competition for the month of February 2026. This is an international competition and artists from around the world are welcome to submit their work. In this open subject competition the Colors theme is with a concentration of color. Artworks with one color or a multitude of colors will be accepted. A variety of interpretations of Colors theme can be submitted (representative, abstract, conceptional). All visual art mediums are acceptable (painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, digital, prints, fiber art, collage or installation art) except sound and video art. Winning artwork (First place) will be on the poster of the show. Depending on the number and quality of all submissions received, Merit awards and Honorable Mention awards may also be presented. The deadline to apply to this art competition is February 12, 2026.
Multidisciplinary
2026 Virtual Art Residency Programs Open Call
We are excited to announce that this year we are posting our complete 2026 Open Calls.
We have one yearly Open Call for all our programs. We have 3 new programs this year, and can’t wait to see your applications.
I leave you with each residency deadline and some keywords that differentiate the programs. If you want to learn more, I encourage you to go to the complete Open Call page.
- Ocean: ocean education, protection, and conservation
Deadlines: January 21th & March 31st 2026 - Our Land: explorations of terrestrial ecosystems, biodiversity loss, ancestral knowledge
Deadline: February 17th 2026 - Atmos-fear: human activities have warmed the atmosphere, ocean, and land, climate change
Deadline: June 10th 2026 - Sustainability: interconnected well-being of the planet, culture advancing sustainable development. Deadline: July 31st 2026
This year, we’re introducing a new format for our 2026 Open Calls. In collaboration with MANGO, we’re sharing all of our 2026 programs and inviting artists to apply through a single, streamlined form. Our Ocean Virtual Art Residency remains a core program, and we’re excited to add new virtual residency options. This updated structure is designed to make the process easier for you, allowing you to focus on one application while still having the freedom to apply to multiple programs if you wish.
Ocean continues to be an endorsed UN Ocean Decade activity. While our new programs are inspired by UNESCO’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Rigel Contest 2026
Authors and artists are eligible for Sunspot Lit’s Rigel contest. Accepts all genres/forms starting February 1. Closes February 28. Entry fee: $5. Prize: $100 cash and publication. See guidelines and entry form, along with the journal’s other open calls, here: https://sunspotlit.submittable.com/submit.
Open Art Contest
Grey Cube Gallery proudly presents the seventh “Open” online art contest for the month of February 2026. Contest is open to all artists worldwide over 18 years of age. There is no theme, and submissions are open to all forms of visual art. Best of Show artwork will be on the poster of the show. Winning artists (Merit Award & Honorable Mention) will receive a digital award certificate. The deadline to submit entries is the January 29, 2026.
❄️ WINTER * $1,800.00 Innovate Grants for Art + Photo
WINTER 2026 OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS — Innovate Grant is thrilled to introduce our newly increased award amounts of $1,800.00.
Innovate Grant awards (2) $1,800.00 grants each quarter, to one Visual Artist and one Photographer. In addition, (12) honorable mentions (6 in art and 6 in photo), will be featured on our website and join a growing community of vibrant and talented artists. Innovate Grant’s commitment extends beyond the grant cycle by promoting the work of selected winners and honorable mentions into the future. For more information and to apply visit https://innovateartistgrants.org
Innovate Grant supports artists and photographers through quarterly grants. We’ve simplified the grant process, so that artists and photographers can focus on making their innovative work. The work should speak for itself and our application reflects that.
Innovate Grant awards:
+ 1 x $1,800.00 Grant to a Visual Artist
+ 1 x $1,800.00 Grant to a Photographer
+ 12 x Honorable Mentions
Explore the work of ALL Past Innovate Grant recipients and read their interviews at https://innovateartistgrants.org
How to Apply: Visual Artists and Photographers 18 years and older, from all around the world, are eligible to apply. All media and genres are accepted. All applicants retain the right to the work they submit. Apply today at https://innovateartistgrants.org
Category: Multiple disciplines and genres accepted
Deadline: Thursday, March 19, 2026 – Submit by 11:59PM Pacific Standard Time
Region: US & International
Awards: 2 x $1,800.00 USD Grants // 12 x Honorable Mentions
Apply Online Today
https://innovateartistgrants.org
FACES & FIGURES | Monthly Art Challenge (Online)
Portraits, bodies, gestures, expressions, posture, the quiet story a figure can hold. Faces & Figures invites artists to explore the human form in any style, from realism to experimental, from intimate studies to bold narrative scenes. Selected works are featured in a curated online collection with your name, artwork title, and website link for lasting visibility.
Key dates
Deadline to enter: March 31, 2026
Results emailed: April 18, 2026
Award dispersed: April 23, 2026
Awards + recognition
Best in Show: $150 cash award, artist interview, The Moir mini spotlight feature, homepage feature, plus a free Blue Sky Artist Award entry
Runner Ups (Traditional & Photography): website feature, dedicated social media post, Art Journal mini spotlight, plus a free Blue Sky entry
Finalists (Top 15 to 20): permanent listing, digital certificate, social highlights
All Selected Artists: listed on the curated collection page with artist name, artwork title, and link
Shareable assets: badges and certificates for your website and socials
Entry fee
This challenge uses tiered pricing based on how many images you include in one submission: $18 for 2 images, $25 for 3, $36 for 4, $45 for 5, and $55 for 6 to 10 images.
Eligibility
Open worldwide to artists 18+. 2D and 3D works welcome, including painting, sculpture, mixed media, photography, and digital. You must own the rights to the work and imagery submitted.
How to enter + image specs
Complete the form with your artist details, artwork titles, and mediums. Upload JPG/PNG files under the posted size limits, with a minimum 2000 px on the longest side.
Judging criteria
Craftsmanship, presentation, interpretation of the theme, composition, creativity, and technical skill.
Apply here
https://tenmoirgallery.com/faces-and-figures-art-challenge-prospectus-march-2026/
