The 16th Annual Manifest Prize

About the Open Call

The Manifest Prize, now increased to $10,000, recognizes that artists face greater challenges and aims to support artists directly. It is open to works of any media, genre, or style, and any size, with no stylistic or media-based preference or bias in the jurying process. There are almost no restrictions on submissions, and artists who have participated in previous Manifest projects are welcome. Works must have been completed within the past five years (2020-2025) and must be available for exhibition from early December through mid-January (December 12, 2025 - January 9, 2026). The winning work is not required to be for sale. The prize also includes a four-week solo exhibit of the single winning work and its inclusion in the season-documenting publication, the Manifest Exhibition Annual. Four runner-up works will also be formally recognized and documented in the publication, with each artist receiving an additional $250 cash award. The selection process involves a rigorous multi-member, several-round blind jury composed of anonymous professional and academic advisors. The work receiving the highest average score will be awarded the prize. Eligibility is open to everyone, requiring only exceptional original works of visual art, design, or high craftsmanship capable of being exhibited in one of Manifest's five galleries. Media is open to all traditional and non-traditional visual arts genres, including video, photography, sculpture, installation, painting, drawing, printmaking, and furniture design. There are no size limits beyond what can be displayed in the gallery space. Accepted work must arrive gallery-ready and exhibit professional craftsmanship; works not meeting these standards may be disqualified. Artists are responsible for all shipping costs to and from the gallery. Works will be insured by Manifest while on gallery premises against theft, vandalism, and damage caused by patrons or staff. However, insurance does not cover shipping damage, damage due to inherent flaws of the artwork, or risks associated with artist-directed presentation methods. Exhibition Calendar: - Extended Deadline to Submit: October 19, 2025 (End of day) - Notifications sent by email: November 3, 2025 - Hi-res images needed for publication/PR: November 10, 2025 - Artwork due to Manifest: December 6, 2025 - Special Preview Event (Ticketed): December 11, 2025 (7-9pm) - Opening Reception: December 12, 2025 (6-9pm) - Final Day of Exhibition: January 9, 2026 - Pick-up hand-delivered work: January 10-17, 2026 - Schedule shipped artwork for pickup: January 14, 2026

What is Offered

The winner receives a $10,000 cash award, a four-week solo exhibition in one of Manifest's galleries, and inclusion in the Manifest Exhibition Annual publication. Four finalist artists will each receive a $250 cash award and publication recognition.

Requirements

Works must have been completed within the past five years (2020-2025). They must be available for exhibition from December 12, 2025, to January 9, 2026, and be gallery-ready with professional-level presentation and craftsmanship. Digital images must meet specified file naming and resolution requirements. Video entries require viewable online links and a representative JPEG image. Submission implies agreement to provide the work for exhibit if selected.

How to Apply

Submit via the online entry form available at https://www.manifestgallery.org/one/entry/index.html. Artists should upload high-quality JPEG digital images (no smaller than 1000 pixels in any direction, 72 dpi) following specific file naming conventions (last name_first name_entry number.jpg). Detail images must include '_detail' in the filename. 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.