The Bennett Prize 5

The Bennett Prize 5 is now open for entries!

Steven Alan Bennett and Dr. Elaine Melotti Schmidt, founders of The Bennett Collection, are pleased to announce a call for entries for The Bennett Prize, a biennial award that seeks to propel the careers of women figurative realist painters who have not yet realized full professional recognition, empowering new artists and those who have painted for many years.

Short description

The Bennett Prize, competition recently announced for entries is a stipend/grant-in-aid program established by American art collectors Steven Alan Bennett and Dr. Elaine Melotti Schmidt to support women figurative realist painters. This is a biennial award that seeks to propel the careers of women figurative realist painters who have not yet realized full professional recognition, empowering new artists and those who have painted for many years.

Paintings must depict representational images of one or more figures of any gender. Figures may be clothed or nude and do not need to be photorealistic. All entries must be traditional paintings, which is defined as paint upon a two-dimensional surface. For this purpose, watercolor, gouache, and pastels are considered “paint.” Mixed media pieces will be considered as long as paint is the primary material. Paintings rendered over the top of photographic images are NOT eligible. Only original works completed in the past five years are eligible for consideration.

The 10 Finalists will participate in a traveling exhibition organized by the Muskegon Museum of Art and the winner will be showcased in a solo exhibition at the close of her grant.

Eligibility

Open only to women 18 years or older who reside at least part time in the United States (U.S. citizenship not required) and who paint figurative realist paintings. Artists may not be enrolled in school and must be currently pursuing or hope to pursue a career as a full-time painter. No students or artists who have received a prior award or grant of $35,000 or have sold any single work of art for $35,000 or more.

Prize

Ten finalists will be selected to participate in a traveling exhibition organized by the MMA and the winner will be showcased in a solo exhibition at the close of her grant. A runner up award of $10,000 will be given to one additional finalist.