The Bennett Prize

Rising Voices 3: The Bennett Prize for Women Figurative Realists

Exhibition Dates: May 18 – Sept. 10, 2023 (with additional travel)

Call for Entries: Apr. 18 through Oct. 7, 2022

About The Prize: 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, 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.

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 cis and trans 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. Employment during the period of the grant DOES NOT affect eligibility. Artists who have received a prior award or grant of $25,000 or more, or sold any single work of art for $25,000 or more, are NOT eligible. To be considered for The Bennett Prize artists are required to participate in the exhibition of finalists, both by the submission and display of their work and attendance at the opening event. Artists must have works available for exhibition from Feb. 10, 2023 through Sept. 2025. For additional information see the F.A.Q. at www.thebennettprize.org.