New American PaintingsexhibitionRemote
New American Paintings MFA Annual Competition
- Who Can Apply: Current MFA candidates and recent MFA graduates who live in the United States (all 50 states and DC); US residency is required, not citizenship.
- The Focus: A blind-juried painting competition; 40 winners are published in the MFA Annual issue of New American Paintings. Painting is defined broadly (drawing to painted 3D constructions, monoprints, monotypes); editioned prints, digital paintings, photographs and sculpture are not eligible.
- The Funding: No cash prize. Winners get a free multipage, full-color feature in New American Paintings; the artist pays a $50 entry fee.
- Key Requirements: Enter online by October 31, 2026, 11:59pm EST: create an account, give your MFA school and graduation year or status, upload up to four images (a detail counts as one), and pay the $50 entry fee. Results usually come by email within four weeks.
DeadlineSaturday, October 31, 2026
AwardNo cash prize. The 40 selected artists are featured free of charge in a multipage, full-color spread in New American Paintings.
Application fee$50
Open toArtists in the United States
ParticipationRemote
Career stagesStudent, Emerging
DisciplinesPainting
Application notesSubmit up to four images through the online entry form (a detail counts as one of the four). $50 non-refundable entry fee paid at checkout; a $10 late fee applies if the deadline is extended. MFA candidates may also enter their regional competition. Selection is blind, based only on the work. Questions: support@newamericanpaintings.com.
Contactsupport@newamericanpaintings.com
New American Paintings