The AXA Art Prize US is a juried student art competition and exhibition of 40 two-dimensional figurative works: paintings, drawings, and original printmaking. One First Prize of $10,000 and one Second Prize of $5,000 is awarded to two of the 40 student exhibition finalists. 

The AXA Art Prize US is now entering its seventh year in the US. The prize builds on a 10-year legacy of a previous prize, which was established in the UK and recognized young artists through a prestigious London exhibition and catalogue publication. The prize established a reputation as an insightful overview of emerging talent. The AXA Art Prize US provides a unique platform for emerging artistic talent and gives the next generation of figurative artists the perfect forum in which to launch their careers. 

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SUBMIT to AXA Art Prize US 2025

ELIGIBILITY 

Applicants must be currently enrolled in a degree-granting program, either as an undergraduate or graduate student majoring in studio art at a U.S. school. Previous XL Catlin and AXA Art Prize US exhibition participants are eligible to participate in the 2025 AXA Art Prize US competition; however, they must use a different piece from the one previously exhibited. Previous Frist and Second Prize winners are not eligible to submit. 

 

APPLICATION DEADLINE AND SUBMISSION PROCEDURE 

  • The submission deadline is Wednesday, March 25, 2025 at 11:59pm EDT.
  • Students must apply online via Submittable.
  • One submission is allowed per student.
  • Students must provide evidence of their student status in the form of an unofficial transcript.
  • In the event that an entrant fails to provide a fully completed application form or does not provide all the required documentation, they will be disqualified. 

 

EXHIBITION AND AWARDS NOTIFICATION 

  • Artists selected for the AXA Art Prize US exhibition will be posted online and informed by email in June 2025.
  • 1st and 2nd Prize winners will be notified in September 2025. 
  • 1st and 2nd Prize winners will need to be present at the award presentation and ceremony at the New York Academy of Art in November 2025. (Transportation to NYC and accommodations for each winner and one guest will be covered by AXA XL.)

 

SUBMISSION CRITERIA - MEDIA / SPECIFICATIONS

  • The work entered must be 2-Dimensional. Only figurative works will be considered (depictions of the human figure). No photography or digital art will be accepted. Original printmaking is acceptable.
  • All artwork submitted must be original and completed within the last few years (2022-2025).
  • Maximum dimensions are 4 feet x 4 feet including frame (48 x 48 inches) in any direction.
  • Multi-panel work will be accepted and regarded as one work, as long as the dimensions do not exceed a total of 4 feet x 4 feet including frame (48 x 48 inches). 
  • Artwork will be judged anonymously so it is preferred that your work is signed on the back.      
  • One submission per person is allowed.
  • Submissions will be accepted online only. 
  • Any submitted work that differs from the digital entry guidelines will be disqualified.
  • Image files must be in .jpg format at 72 dpi and at least 2,000 pixels on the shortest      side.
  • File names for each jpeg must be named exactly as follows: Lastname_Firstname_Titleofwork.jpg      (e.g.Doe_John_Untitled.jpg)
  • All submissions to AXA Art Prize US must be made EXCLUSIVELY to AXA Art Prize US. Submitted artwork cannot be offered to any other exhibition during the review process. Final artworks selected for the exhibition will be kept on reserve for the entirety of the exhibition.


 

ARTWORK PRESENTATION

  • Accepted artworks must be ready to hang for formal gallery presentation with all the necessary hardware as well as withstand the rigors of packaged shipment (i.e. all paper/mylar/etc. works MUST be framed or mounted, no clips or magnets will be used to hang work). 
  • Each work of art is received in good condition unless otherwise noted. No objects will be exhibited that might be unsafe or cause damage to the Academy or other exhibition venues. 

 

EXHIBITION DETAILS 

The AXA Art Prize US exhibition will be held in-person in New York City. The exhibition will be on view in November 2025 with the potential for an extended international show after the New York exhibition. Artworks will remain in the custody of the AXA Art Prize US throughout the duration of the exhibition. 

 

DELIVERY AND TRANSPORTATION of ACCEPTED WORKS

All artists/lenders are responsible for transportation of the work for exhibition to the New York Academy of Art. Please determine if you can accommodate the logistics of safely shipping your artwork and shipping costs prior to participation confirmation. If you cannot adequately ship your artwork to the New York Academy of Art as a selected finalist, your participation will be terminated. 

  • Failure to ship your work to the New York Academy of Art for the exhibition after confirming your participation will result in disqualification for future competitions.
  • Mailed work and hand deliveries must arrive to the New York Academy of Art in July 2025**. 
  • If delivering by hand, please do so Monday through Friday from 9:00am – 9:00pm, Saturday and Sunday from 10:00am – 5:00pm
  • C.O.D. deliveries will not be accepted
  • Accepted works being shipped must include a Prepaid Return Shipping Label (Return by FedEx and UPS ONLY. We cannot accept return postage via USPS)
  • Late or damaged shipments will not be received
  • Works must be shipped in reusable packing cartons
  • NO PACKING POPCORN
  • Deliver all accepted works to:

New York Academy of Art

ATTN: AXA Art Prize

111 Franklin Street

New York, NY 10013 

 

RETURN OF ACCEPTED WORKS 

  • All artists/lenders are responsible for transportation of the work from the New York Academy of Art at the end of the exhibition.
  • For those that shipped work, return of artwork begins after the close of the exhibition in November, 2025**.
  • For those that hand-delivered, pick-up from New York Academy of Art will begin after the close of the exhibition in November, 2025**.
  • If picking up by hand, please do so Monday through Friday 9:00am – 9:00pm, Saturday and Sunday 10:00am – 5:00pm**.
  • If artwork is not picked up or shipped at the close of the exhibition, artwork will be disposed of one month after the end of the final exhibition.

**PLEASE NOTE: Return dates/times are to be released to the artists upon notification of acceptance. Dates are subject to change.


 

TERMS OF AGREEMENT 

Upon completion of your online submission, you confirm that you understand and agree to the entry guidelines as stated above. Any submitted work that differs from those terms may be disqualified from consideration. 

AXA Art Prize US