THE MANIFEST PRIZE: The 16th Annual Manifest Prize

About the Open Call

The Manifest Prize is the 16th Annual Manifest Prize, with the award updated to $10,000. It was doubled to $5,000 in 2015, and now again to $10,000. The Prize is open to works of any media, genre/style, and size, with no stylistic or media-based preference or bias in the jury process. There are almost no restrictions on submissions; artists who have submitted to or been included in previous Manifest projects are welcome to submit. A blind jury process involving as many as 18 anonymous professional jurors is used. Works submitted must have been completed within the past five years (2020-2025). The winning work must be available for the exhibition period of early December through mid-January (December 12, 2025 - January 9, 2026). The winning work is not required to be for sale; if offered for sale, the artist receives 70% commission. The Manifest Prize is completely separate from the season's nine Grand Jury Awards. In addition to the main award, four finalist works (runners-up) will each receive $250 and formal recognition in the Manifest Exhibition Annual publication for the season. The $10,000 award-winning work will be unveiled at the gallery on December 11th during a ticketed preview event (7-9pm). The prize aims to reward, showcase, celebrate, and document the most exceptional artwork being made today, incentivize the creation of excellent work, and support individual artists in meaningful, career-impacting ways. Manifest's mission centers on championing the importance of mastery and quality in visual art. The competition is open to everyone, requiring exceptional original works of visual art, design, or high craftsmanship of any kind that are capable of being exhibited in Manifest's five galleries. Works must be available for the exhibition period; submission constitutes a formal agreement to provide the work. Manifest will abide by all tax requirements in disbursing prize money. Media accepted includes any and all traditional and non-traditional visual arts genres and media, such as video, photography, sculpture, installation, painting, drawing, printmaking, and furniture design. There is no size limit or minimum size required, other than what is capable of being displayed in the gallery space; size is not a jury criterion. The jury process involves a complex two-part system with an anonymous 7-15+ person volunteer panel of professional and academic advisors. Works approved by the first jury round pass through a second, and possibly a third round, with jury makeup shuffled. The work receiving the highest average score will be awarded the prize. The four next highest scoring works will be the finalists. Selected juror comments may be posted in the gallery and included in the Manifest Exhibition Annual. The winner of the Manifest Prize will receive a free copy of the large-format hardcover Manifest Exhibition Annual, which documents the entire season of exhibits, artists, and works. All work accepted for the exhibition must arrive ready to install; works not gallery-ready or lacking good craftsmanship may be omitted. Professional-level presentation and craftsmanship are a must. Work may be hand-delivered or shipped. Shipped works must be sent in easily reusable containers with return shipping prepaid. Works are insured by Manifest while on gallery premises for theft, vandalism, and damage caused by gallery patrons or staff. Insurance does not cover damage during shipping, damage due to the work's own failure, or incidental damage from artist-directed presentation methods. Artists are encouraged to insure their works in transit. Exhibition dates: December 12, 2025 - January 9, 2026. Artwork is due to Manifest by December 6, 2025. Notifications will be sent by email to all entrants by November 3, 2025.

What is Offered

$10,000 cash award, a four-week solo exhibition of the winning work, publication in the Manifest Exhibition Annual, and $250 cash awards for four runner-up finalists.

Requirements

Works must be original, visual art, design, or high craftsmanship, capable of being exhibited in Manifest's galleries, completed within the past five years (2020-2025), and available for exhibition from December 12, 2025 - January 9, 2026. Submissions must arrive gallery-ready with professional-level presentation and craftsmanship. Digital images/files must meet specified high-quality JPEG format and naming conventions. Video-based or interactive submissions require an online viewing link and a single representative JPEG image.

How to Apply

Submit entries via the online ENTRY FORM provided on the website. Upload digital images/files using the Dropbox button provided after form submission. Entry fee, which is non-refundable, can be paid by U.S. check or money order made payable to MANIFEST, or by credit card via PayPal link provided on the page that follows online entry form submission. Works must be completed within the past five years (2020-2025) and be available for exhibition from December 12, 2025, to January 9, 2026.