Entering an Art Competition for the First Time: A Beginner-Friendly Guide

Entering your first art competition? This guide breaks it down step-by-step to help you feel confident, prepared, and excited to share your art!

Entering an Art Competition for the First Time: A Beginner-Friendly Guide

Introduction Entering your first art competition is a big step on your creative journey. It can feel intimidating, but it’s also a great way to boost your confidence, gain exposure, and connect with other artists. In this guide, based on my recent Facebook Live chat, we’ll walk through the key things to know if you’re entering an art competition for the first time.

1. Start Local and Build Confidence Look for local art competitions through your art society or gallery. Starting locally reduces stress and gives you a chance to get involved in your local art community. Online competitions are also a great way to begin if you're feeling nervous about in-person shows.

2. Read the Rules Carefully Each competition has different requirements. Read all the rules to find out:

Theme or category options (e.g., landscape, wildlife, portraiture)
Size restrictions (often under 1.2m)
Medium limitations
Framing and presentation guidelines (most require D-rings)
Deadlines for entry, delivery, and pick-up

3. Understand the Theme If there’s a theme, take time to interpret it in your own unique way. Don’t be afraid to brainstorm or even use tools like ChatGPT to explore ideas. Mind mapping can also help spark creative concepts.

4. Present Your Work Professionally Neat framing, clean glass, and high-quality matting make a huge difference. Avoid chipped frames or smudged glass. Add D-rings for hanging and ensure your piece looks polished and gallery-ready.

5. Label Everything Correctly Most competitions will require:

Your name
Title of the artwork
Medium
Size
Price (or NFS if not for sale, if allowed)

Check if the competition is "acquisitive," meaning they keep the artwork if you win.

6. Title Your Work Thoughtfully Avoid generic titles like "Cow" or "Wave Study." A strong title adds depth and emotional resonance. If you're stuck, tools like ChatGPT can help you brainstorm meaningful names.

7. Pricing Your Artwork To price your piece:

Decide what you'd like to earn from it
Add your material and framing costs
Add the gallery's commission (usually 30%+)

Make sure the final price reflects the value of your work and your time.

8. Keep Track of Deadlines and Entries Use a tracker to stay on top of closing dates, delivery windows, and pickup times. Missing deadlines can mean missing out, so stay organised.

9. Artist Statements and Bios Some competitions ask for a short statement about the piece or a bio about you. This adds meaning for the viewer and shows professionalism. Keep it simple and personal.

10. Learn and Reflect Even if you don’t win, entering builds confidence. Going to the opening night, seeing your work hung, and chatting with other artists is incredibly rewarding. You’ll learn so much just by being part of it.

Ready to Try? Pick one competition this year and go for it. Download my [First-Time Art Competition Checklist] to help you stay on track. Remember: it’s not about winning. It’s about growth, fun, and taking that next step as an artist.

Final Thoughts If you’re one of my Creative Barn members, don’t forget to check the Rooster section for additional templates and resources to help you enter with confidence. And if you haven’t joined yet, I’d love to support you on your artistic journey!

Head over to The Creative Barn Website to Learn More

Happy creating, Kerri

Categories: : art, educational, inspiration