Carroll Harris Simms National Black Art Competition and Exhibition

The Carroll Harris Simms National Black Art Competition and Exhibition awards $1,000 to one artist in each of the following categories: painting, sculpture, mixed media, drawing, printmaking, and photography. One work is chosen from the category winners as the Best in Show artist, who also wins the opportunity to have a solo exhibition in the two years following the competition. The Best in Show artist agrees to donate a piece of their work from the show to the museum's permanent collection.

Initiated in 1976 as the African American Museum's first annual competition for southwest Black artists, the competition was created to build a distinguished art collection and provide Black artists a venue to display their work. After several years of annuals, the competition became a biennial. In 1999, the African American Museum's Board of Trustees named the competition the Carroll Harris Simms National Black Art Competition and Exhibition in honor of Professor Simms' outstanding contribution to art and art education.

Eligibility is open to all artists of African descent over the age of eighteen. Entry fee is $5.00 plus a $5.00 media fee. Submissions must include 1-4 images in JPEG format at 300 dpi, artist's name, title of work, completion date, medium, size, entry number for each work, an artist's statement, and current biographical information. For sculpture entries, submit 3-4 images reflecting different perspectives. Entries must be received by November 14, 2022. Accepted work must be received by December 1, 2022. Upon receipt of artwork, withdrawal from the exhibition will not be allowed. The exhibition runs from December 17, 2022 to March 17, 2023.