The 16th Annual Manifest Prize

About the Open Call

The Manifest Prize, now in its 16th year, aims to reward, showcase, celebrate, and document the most exceptional artwork being made today. It emphasizes mastery and quality in visual art within a tasteful non-commercial public context. The project is an annual offering, increasing its cash award to $5,000 in its 12th season, continuing into its 22nd season. The jury and judging process has no stylistic or media-based preference or bias, utilizing a several-round blind jury process with as many as 18 anonymous professional jurors. The single winning work will be featured in one of Manifest's five galleries for four weeks, and four finalist works will also be recognized. All selected works will be documented in the Manifest Exhibition Annual, a high-quality hardcover publication. Works are insured by Manifest while on gallery premises against theft, vandalism, and damage caused by gallery patrons or staff, but not during shipping or for inherent flaws.

What is Offered

The winning artist receives a $5,000 cash award, a four-week solo exhibition of their single winning work at the Manifest Gallery, and a complimentary copy of the Manifest Exhibition Annual hardcover publication. Four finalist artists (runners-up) each receive a $250 cash award and recognition in the Manifest Exhibition Annual publication.

Requirements

The Manifest Prize is open to everyone. Entries must represent exceptional original works of visual art, design, or high craftsmanship, of any media or size. Works must have been completed within the past five years (2020-2025). Submitted works MUST be available for the exhibition period of December 12, 2025, to January 9, 2026. Accepted works must arrive gallery-ready, exhibiting good craftsmanship and professional-level presentation. Works significantly differing from entry images or suffering from poor presentation will be disqualified. Shipped works must be sent in easily reusable containers with return shipping prepaid by the artist. Video links must remain valid and active through notification of jury results and should not require a login, password, or membership to view.

How to Apply

Applicants must complete the online entry form available at the provided URL. Early entry fee is $45 for up to five entries (by September 1, 2025), and the final entry fee is $60 for up to five entries (by October 1, 2025). An additional $5 is charged for each entry beyond five. Fees are non-refundable and fund project-related expenses. Images must be uploaded via the Dropbox button provided after entry form submission. Files must be named with the artist's last name, first name, and entry number (e.g., Jones_Mike_1.jpg). Detail images must include '_detail' in the filename (e.g., Jones_Mike_1detail1.jpg). Images must be high-quality JPEG, no smaller than 1000 pixels in any direction (72 dpi). Video or interactive submissions require a link to a viewable online copy (e.g., Youtube, Vimeo, Dropbox) that does not require login or password, in addition to a single representative JPEG image. Accepted artwork must arrive at Manifest by December 6, 2025, ready to install, in reusable packaging with prepaid return shipping if applicable.