THE MANIFEST PRIZE: The 16th Annual Manifest Prize

About the Open Call

The Manifest Prize, now doubled to $10,000, is open to works of ANY media, ANY genre/style, ANY size, with no stylistic or media-based preference or bias. There are almost no restrictions on submissions, and artists who have submitted to or been included in previous Manifest projects are welcome to submit. Works must have been completed within the past five years (2020-2025 for the 16th Manifest Prize) and must be available for exhibition from early December through mid-January. The winning work must be available for the exhibition period of early December through mid-January. The Manifest Prize is completely separate from the season's nine Grand Jury Awards. Works may be listed as not for sale; if offered for sale, the artist receives 70%. In addition to the main award, four runners-up will receive $250 in recognition of their accomplishment and be formally recognized and documented in the Manifest Exhibition Annual publication. The $10,000 award-winning work will be unveiled at the gallery on December 11th during a ticketed preview event. The goal of this project is to reward, showcase, celebrate, and document the most exceptional artwork being made today, incentivizing the creation of excellent work and supporting individual artists in meaningful, career-impacting ways. The exhibit and award will be juried by an anonymous 7-15+ person volunteer panel of professional and academic advisors. The work receiving the highest average score will be awarded the prize, with the four next highest scoring works being the finalists (runners up). The winner of the Manifest Prize will receive a free copy of the large-format hardcover book documenting the entire season. All work accepted for the exhibition must arrive ready to install and exhibit professional-level presentation and craftsmanship. Works will be insured by Manifest while on gallery premises.

What is Offered

The primary award is $10,000 for one artist, along with a four-week solo exhibition in one of Manifest's five galleries. The winning work will be featured and published. Four finalist works will be recognized, published in the Manifest Exhibition Annual, and receive $250 each. All solo exhibitors, including the Manifest Prize winner, will receive a free copy of the large-format hardcover Manifest Exhibition Annual publication.

Requirements

Works submitted must have been completed within the past five years (2020-2025). The winning work must be available for exhibition from early December through mid-January. Entries must represent exceptional original works of visual art, design, or high craftsmanship of any kind. Works must be available and capable of being exhibited in one of Manifest's five galleries. All work accepted for the exhibition must arrive gallery-ready and exhibit professional-level presentation and craftsmanship. Accepted work that differs significantly from entry images or suffers from poor presentation will be disqualified. Submission constitutes a formal agreement to provide the work for exhibit if selected. Artists are responsible for all shipping costs to and from the gallery. Video links must remain valid and active through the notification of jury results.

How to Apply

Artists must complete the online entry form found at https://www.manifestgallery.org/one/entry/index.html. Entry images must be uploaded using the Dropbox button provided after entry form submission. This link will also be included on the emailed copy of the entry form. Image files must be in high-quality JPEG format, no smaller than 1000 pixels in any direction and 72 dpi. Files must be named with the artist's last name, first name, followed by the entry number (e.g., Jones_Mike_1.jpg). Detail images must include '_detail' in the filename (e.g., Jones_Mike_1detail1.jpg). Video or interactive submissions require a link to a viewable online copy of each work AND a single representative JPEG image loaded to the project Dropbox. Video links should be provided on the entry form and must link directly to online or downloadable content that does NOT require a login, password, or membership to view. If paying by check, it must be postmarked by the deadline and mailed to Manifest Creative Research Gallery, 16th Annual MANIFEST PRIZE, P.O. Box 6218, Cincinnati, OH 45206.