Since 1984 · Open to artists worldwide
Your work, exhibited in Chelsea, New York.
NY Art Competitions runs international juried competitions for painters, photographers, sculptors, and mixed-media artists. Enter, face a jury of credentialed professionals, and — if selected — show your work at Agora Gallery in the heart of Manhattan's art district.
Est. 1984 · 530 West 25th Street, Chelsea · New York
Competition is Now Open
Entries close · November 3, 2026
Innovative talent, a fresh look at contemporary photography
Deadline: November 3 · 30 photographers selected for Chelsea exhibition
Early Bird Open
Chelsea International Fine Art Competition — 41st Edition · Early Bird Now Open
The Chelsea International Fine Art Competition, our flagship competition, is now open for early bird entries — 7 artworks for $49 through October 5. Open to painters, sculptors, mixed media artists, photographers, and other visual artists worldwide.
Competition is Now Open
Cars Reimagined: International Fine Art Competition — Now Open
Cars Reimagined: The International Fine Art Competition celebrates the automobile as a subject for fine art. Open to painters, photographers, sculptors, illustrators, and digital artists worldwide, it invites original interpretations of the car — its form, culture, and presence in modern life. Selected works exhibit at Agora Gallery in Chelsea, New York.
Why Artists Enter Our Competitions?
Exhibited in Chelsea
Selected artists exhibit at Agora Gallery, 530 West 25th Street — in the heart of New York's gallery district. The opening reception brings artists, invited collectors and the New York art community into the room, and is photographed and promoted afterwards.
Promotion Built Around Your Work
Depending on the competition: a press release written for you by Agora Gallery's PR team, a listing in a New York art magazine, a feature in ArtisSpectrum or the gallery newsletter, and a year on ARTmine.com — with a professional artist statement written alongside Agora's art writers.
Awards & Prizes
Five artists in each competition receive a cash award — $1,000 at CIFAC, $500 at CIPC. Cash is one part of a wider package of exhibition, publication and promotion benefits, valued in total at more than $85,000 at CIFAC and $55,000 at CIPC.
International Recognition
Every selected artist receives documented jury recognition — a credential for their portfolio from an international panel. Honorable Mention recipients also earn a complimentary entry to our next competition.
In their words
Artists on Exhibiting in New York
“I was so thrilled to be able to attend the exhibition opening in person and meet many of the talented artists who were also selected for the exhibition. What a wonderful evening! Everyone working behind the scenes at Agora and NYAC were kind and professional, making the entire experience absolutely superb!”
“What a fantastic experience showing at Agora Gallery during the 39th Chelsea International Fine Art Competition. The work shown was diverse yet cohesive and thought provoking; curated with care and precision by a kind, thoughtful, energetic and engaging staff. Great experience with a large turnout for the opening.”
“[Support] was a very important thing for me because if you are thousands of kilometers away, it’s important that your questions are answered quickly and you always have the feeling of someone there to help you, and it was in every communication with the company. I felt safe in the contact with the staff.”
“As an artist, I’ve been trying to find an avenue where I can expand my voice. Because art is not just creating works of art for sales, it’s to relay a message to the people. And I decided to [join] this platform as an avenue for me to send my message. And I’m very happy with Agora Gallery and the Chelsea International [Fine] Art Competition putting all this together for us artists.”
