Art Prize FAQ

Do you have questions about the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize? Please see the Frequently Asked Questions below. If you have a further queries please don’t hesitate to contact us at artprize@beautifulbizarre.net.


Why should I enter the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize?

Wonder why it’s important to enter the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize, and how it will benefit your career?

Prize Money

The Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize offers substantial cash prizes to winners which provides financial support for the artist’s practice. This financial support can help artists to cover costs associated with their practice, such as materials, studio rent, and equipment.

Additionally, prize money also provides artists with the financial flexibility to take risks and pursue new projects, without the need to worry about the financial implications. This can allow artists to focus on their practice without the added stress of financial insecurity.

Global Exposure

By participating in the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize, artists have the opportunity to present their work to a diverse group of individuals, including art professionals, collectors, critics, and the general public. This leads to increased visibility and exposure for the artist and their work on an international scale.

It can also bring attention to an artist’s practice from art galleries, curators, and other institutions, which can lead to further opportunities for exhibitions, commissions, and collaborations.

Recognition & Career Development

Being selected by a panel of judges, who are industry professionals and experts, is an acknowledgement of the quality and merit of an artist’s work. It is also an endorsement of an artist’s practice and vision, providing validation for the artist’s choices and direction – plus, it is a great addition to an artist’s CV and can help them to build a reputation and credibility within the art world.

Winning or being selected as a finalist can also lead to greater opportunities for career development, such as solo exhibitions, participating in art fairs, commissions, and collaborations.

Invest in yourself

Entering the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize is a great way for artists to invest in themselves in a cost effective way.

By entering the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize, artists are investing in their own reputation and credibility within the art world.

The Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize also offers a range of opportunities for exposure, such as through editorial and advertising in Beautiful Bizarre Magazine, our website, and our social media channels, which can help artists to reach a wider audience and promote their work. This can be particularly beneficial for artists who may not have the resources to invest in other forms of marketing.

Networking

Participating in the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize provides an opportunity for artists to meet and connect with the Editor-in-Chief of Beautiful Bizarre Magazine and other art professionals such as gallerists, curators, and collectors at the Art Prize exhibition.

These connections can lead to future opportunities for exhibitions, commissions, and collaborations, as well as provide valuable support and resources for artists.

Building a Collector Base

The Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize attracts a diverse group of collectors from around the world. By participating, artists have the opportunity to connect with these collectors and showcase their work to a wider audience. This can lead to increased interest in an artist’s work and can help to build a collector base.

The Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize exhibition also provides an opportunity for artists to meet and connect with collectors in person. These personal connections can be valuable in building a collector base, as collectors are more likely to purchase work from an artist they have met and have a personal connection with.

Take a peek at the full list of Prizes and Award categories here.

What is ‘Representational Art’?

‘Representational Art’ refers to artwork that is created in such a way that the subject is easily recognized by most people. For example, in a painting of a cat, the cat is recognisable as a cat.

The Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize welcomes entries in all static mediums and genres from realism and hyperrealism, to pop surrealism and lowbrow – so long as the artwork also falls under the umbrella category of representational art. 

How do I enter?

Visit the ENTER page and click on the appropriate Category of the work you wish to submit.  Complete all fields in the Entry Form. Upon completing the Entry Form and following payment of the Entry Fee, you will receive an email notifying you that your entry has been successfully received.

Do I have to create a new artwork for my entry?

No, you can just enter the best work/s from your existing portfolio. But if you wish to, then of course you can.

Can I enter more than once?

Yes, you can enter up to 10 times. You will however need to submit 10 individual entries.

Can I enter artwork that is already sold?

Yes, unlike most other Art Prizes you do not have to physically supply the work you submit. This means you can submit the best / strongest work from your existing portfolio, even if it is already sold or you have already entered it into another Art Prize. The image of the work you enter will be what you are judged on.

If you win: you will be invited to exhibit a work in the Beautiful Bizarre Magazine curated exhibition at Modern Eden Gallery in San Francisco, California USA. You can exhibit your prize winning entry if it was created within 12 months of the entry date and has not hung in any other exhibition or prize previously. Otherwise, you will be invited to create a new work that responds to the ‘Paracosmic Escape’ exhibition theme after you are notified of your win.

Do I have to submit my physical artwork for judging?

No, unlike most other Art Prizes you do not have to physically supply the work you enter for judging. This means you can submit the best / strongest work from your existing portfolio, even if it is already sold or you have already entered it into another Art Prize. The image of the work you enter will be what you are judged on, so please enter a clear large size image of your work.

Can I enter an artwork already entered in another Art Prize?

Yes, unlike most other Art Prizes you do not have to physically supply the work you enter. This means you can submit the best / strongest work from your existing portfolio, even if it is already sold or you have already entered it into another Art Prize. The work you enter will be what you are judged on.

If you win: you will be invited to exhibit a work in the Beautiful Bizarre Magazine curated exhibition at Modern Eden Gallery in San Francisco, California USA. You can exhibit your prize winning entry if it was created within 12 months of the entry date and has not hung in any other exhibition or prize previously. Otherwise, you will be invited to create a new work that responds to the ‘Paracosmic Escape’ exhibition theme after you are notified of your win.

Is AI [Artificial Intelligence] Art accepted?

AI art of any kind will not be accepted. Whether entirely made by AI, or partly made by AI – this work is not eligible to enter. Entries submitted which are not eligible will not be refunded.

Which countries can enter?

The Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize is an international prize; artists from all countries are welcome to enter.

Can Pop Surrealism, Lowbrow, Imaginative Realism and other cutting edge art styles enter?

Yes! Unlike most other Art Prizes, the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize celebrates excellence in the representational visual arts, in all mediums and genres from realism and hyperrealism, to pop surrealism and lowbrow.

Can I enter if I am under 18 years of age?

Yes, but please ensure you seek your parent or guardian’s approval first.

If I am a winner, will the work I enter be exhibited in the Beautiful Bizarre curated exhibition?

You can exhibit your prize winning entry if it was created within 12 months of the entry date, not hung in any other exhibition or prize previously. Work already exhibited, or hung in a Prize, will not be accepted to the exhibition.

If the prize winning work is not eligible to be exhibited, or if you choose to, you may create a new work for the exhibition that responds to the ‘Paracosmic Escape’ exhibition theme after you are notified of your win.

The work chosen must arrive at the gallery by 25 October [note: artwork must arrive ready to hang i.e. framed/stretched etc].

Can I enter in more than one Category?

Yes, if you work in various mediums e.g. Photography and Traditional Art [painting], you can enter under both categories. If you are an Emerging Artist you can also enter the Emerging Artist Award and another Award that is relevant to the medium you use. Please note that you will have to do two separate entries.

I am a Winner/Finalist from a previous year: can I enter again?

Yes, you can enter! However, artwork that has been a previous finalist or winner of any award in the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize is not eligible to be submitted. Previous artwork that was entered but not selected as a finalist, or new work is eligible.

How do I know if I am an Emerging Artist, and can therefore enter the Emerging Artist Award?

If you are an emerging artist that works in a representational style, in any 2 or 3 dimensional traditional medium, digital medium or photographic medium, you are eligible to enter the Emerging Artist Award.

To be classified as an ‘Emerging Artist’ for the purpose of this Award, you must be in the early stages of pursuing a career as a professional artist [within the first 5 years], and have not won any Awards or Prizes previously. You must not be represented by a commercial gallery, nor had any solo exhibitions at a commercial gallery. If you don’t fit within this criteria, please enter one of the other Award categories.

Which artists will participate in the Beautiful Bizarre exhibition?

We are currently curating the ‘Paracosmic Escape’ exhibition at Modern Eden Gallery, in San Francisco, California USA. The complete list of curated participating artists will be available soon via the EXHIBITION page.

Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize Winners will also be invited to participate.

When do entries close?

Entries to the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize close at midnight on 17 July 2024 [Los Angeles, USA time/date].

How will People’s Choice voting work?

We want you to have your say! The public will be able to vote for their favourite work from the 140 Finalists [25 per Award category: Digital Art, Photography, Sculpture; 50 from the Traditional Art Award category; and 15 from the Emerging Art Award category]. People’s Choice Award voting opens: 23 August 2024.

We will keep you informed via the Beautiful Bizarre Magazine Social Media accounts (links in the main menu toolbar above) and email newsletters. Please join the Beautiful Bizarre Magazine email mailing list to ensure you don’t miss any important Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize news. 

How will artists that have entered be notified as to whether or not they were shortlisted as a Finalist?

All entrants are automatically added to the Beautiful Bizarre Magazine email mailing list. Entrants will be notified if they were successful and were shortlisted as Finalists when the Finalists are formally announced via email newsletter, via the Beautiful Bizarre Magazine and Art Prize websites, and the Beautiful Bizarre Magazine social media.

You can keep an eye on the timeline here.

How will Finalists be notified?

The Editor-in-Chief of Beautiful Bizarre Magazine and Juror Danijela Krha Purssey will notify all Finalists via the email provided on your Entry Form. However, keep an eye out on the Beautiful Bizarre Magazine and Art Prize websites, and Beautiful Bizarre Magazine Social Media channels as the Finalists will also be revealed after judging is completed.

You can keep an eye on the timeline here.

How will Winners be notified?

The Editor-in-Chief of Beautiful Bizarre Magazine and Juror Danijela Krha Purssey will notify all Winners via the email provided on your Entry Form. However, keep an eye out on the Beautiful Bizarre Magazine and Art Prize websites, and Beautiful Bizarre Magazine Social Media channels as the Winners will also be revealed after People’s Choice Award voting closes.

You can keep an eye on the timeline

Can I enter my embroidery art?

Yes we welcome all Embroidery Art! Please enter the TRADITIONAL ART category if your work is 2 dimensional, if it is 3 Dimensional please enter the SCULPTURE category.

I am a collage artist, can I enter?

Yes we welcome all Collage! Please enter the TRADITIONAL ART category if your work is 2 dimensional, if it is 3 Dimensional please enter the SCULPTURE category.

I make handmade Art Dolls. Can I enter?

Yes we welcome all Art Doll sculptors! Please enter the SCULPTURE category

Can I enter my tattoo art?

We love tattoo art! The Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize includes all traditional mediums, sadly however, not skin (yet). But as an artist, you can enter your TRADITIONAL drawings or paintings, your DIGITAL artwork or even your own PHOTOGRAPHY that shows your tattoo work as part of a creative and unique shoot.

Can I enter a mixed media art work?

Yes sure! If your artwork mixes traditional techniques please enter the TRADITIONAL ART category. If it includes digital art please enter the DIGITAL ART category

I am a photographer but I work on my photographs digitally in post processing to create the final images – which category should I enter under?

We appreciate that the line between photography and digital art has become more blurred. If your finished artwork has drastic changes made to it digitally from the original photograph taken (for example, you add a new background, do a lot of digital painting over the image, or do major changes digitally) then please enter your work under the DIGITAL ART category, as PHOTOMANIPULATION.

If you only use digital mediums to create minor edits to your image, please enter the PHOTOGRAPHY category.

Where can I see the work of previous Winners?

You can view all previous Winners on the AWARD RECIPIENTS page, and get to know a little about them and their practice.

On the Entry Form, there is a tick box asking if I agree to allow Beautiful Bizarre Magazine to use the uploaded artwork image to promote the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize. How will my work be used?

We will share entries and finalists’ works to promote the artists and Art Prize via the Beautiful Bizarre Magazine social media network, email newsletters, and the Beautiful Bizarre Magazine and Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize websites. We will of course credit each artist and link to them appropriately.