Annual Betty Bowen Award

The Seattle Art Museum is accepting entries for the 46th Annual Betty Bowen Award. Betty Bowen (1918–1977) was a Washington native and enthusiastic supporter of Northwest artists. Her friends established the annual Betty Bowen Award as a celebration of her life and to honor and continue her efforts to provide financial support to the artists of the region. Since 1977, the Seattle Art Museum has hosted the yearly open call process by which the Betty Bowen Committee chooses one visual artist working in the Northwest to receive the unrestricted cash award.

The award is open to visual artists in all media working in Washington, Oregon, or Idaho. Artists of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Entry fee is $10.00. Applicants must submit a resume, artist statement, and six images. When uploading images, include the title, date, medium, and dimensions of each work. Artists working in time-based media (including but not limited to performance, film or video) are encouraged to submit up to 3 video files alongside the required six images. Other video materials, including artist interviews, press segments, or installation documentation of non-time-based media works, will not be considered.

The winner is selected in a two-part jury process. In the first round, applicants are reviewed anonymously and 5-6 finalists are selected from the pool of applicants. Finalists are invited to present their work to the committee in the second round and will receive an honorarium of $500 for related expenses. The committee then selects one award winner in addition to any special recognition award winners they wish to honor. Selection is based on the compelling nature of the artist's ideas and contribution to the field, the quality and creativity of the work submitted, the artist's commitment to developing their work, and the impact the award will have on the artist and their career. If application costs pose a barrier to entry, contact [email protected].