Grants The Bennett Prize
Opportunity Description
U.S. National Deadline: October 7, 2022 – The Bennett Prize is a stipend/grant-in-aid program established by American art collectors Steven Alan Bennett and Dr. Elaine Melotti Schmidt to support the fine art practice of a woman painter working in figurative realism.
ELIGIBILITY
The Bennett Prize is open only to women eighteen (18) years or older residing at least part time in the United States (50 States and Washington, D.C.) whose primary practice is the creation of original paintings in the genre of figurative realism, and who identifies as a woman, regardless of their assigned gender at birth. This includes trans and cis women and nonbinary people. Part-time residence must include an active studio practice in the U.S. (On-site studio visits are a required component of The Prize.) U.S. Citizenship is not required.
- Artists must be currently pursuing, or hope to pursue, a career as a full-time painter.
- No contestant may be a full- or part-time student at any time during the period from the conclusion of the call for entries on Oct. 7, 2022 through the announcement of the winner on May 18, 2023. The winner of The Prize may not be a full- or part-time student at any time from the conclusion of the call for entries on Oct. 7, 2022 through the opening of her solo Prize exhibition in May 2025.
- Artists must have works available for exhibition from Feb. 10, 2023 through Sept. 2025
Paintings must depict representational images of one or more figures of any gender. Figures may be clothed or nude and do not need to be photorealistic. All entries must be traditional paintings, which is defined as paint upon a two-dimensional surface. For this purpose, watercolor, gouache, and pastels are considered “paint.” Mixed media pieces will be considered as long as paint is the primary material. Paintings rendered over the top of photographic images are NOT eligible. Only original works completed in the past five (5) years are eligible for consideration.
AWARDS
The Bennett Prize, administered by The Pittsburgh Foundation, is awarded biennially and provides $25,000 annually over two consecutive years to the winning artist ($50,000 total). Ten (10) finalists will be selected to participate in a traveling exhibition organized by the Muskegon Museum of Art (MMA) and the winner will be showcased in a solo exhibition at the close of her grant. A runner up award of $10,000 will be given to one additional finalist. The opening exhibition will be held from May 18 to Sept. 10, 2023 at the Muskegon Museum of Art before traveling to additional venues.
The MMA will cover travel and lodging expenses of the ten finalists to attend the opening event on May 18-19, 2023. The opening event includes a public reception, award ceremony and private dinner.
CATALOGUE
The Pittsburgh Foundation and MMA will publish a full-color catalogue in conjunction with the exhibition featuring the artwork of the ten (10) finalists.
ENTRY FEE
The fee for entry is $40. No refunds will be given for ineligible or disqualified entries so read all terms carefully before applying.
APPLY ONLINE
Artists will be notified of the jury results by email no later than Nov. 29, 2022.
SALES
While it is not required, exhibiting artists are strongly encouraged to make all exhibited artworks available for sale. The MMA commission is 40% and must be included in the purchase price. Work offered for sale will be sold as exhibited and delivered to the purchaser by the MMA at the close of the traveling exhibition.
About:
The Bennett Prize is a stipend/grant-in-aid program established by American art collectors Steven Alan Bennett and Dr. Elaine Melotti Schmidt to support the fine art practice of a woman painter working in figurative realism. The Bennett Prize, administered by The Pittsburgh Foundation.
The Bennett Prize
c/o The Pittsburgh Foundation
Five PPG Place, Suite 250
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
412-391-5122
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