Rising Voices 3: The Bennett Prize for Women Figurative Realist Painters

Rising Voices 3: The Bennett Prize for Women Figurative Realists is a biennial award established by American art collectors Steven Alan Bennett and Dr. Elaine Melotti Schmidt to support women painters working in figurative realism. The prize provides $25,000 annually over two consecutive years to the winning artist ($50,000 total). Ten finalists will be selected to participate in a traveling exhibition organized by the Muskegon Museum of Art, with the winner 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 runs May 18 – September 10, 2023 at the Muskegon Museum of Art before traveling to additional venues.

Eligibility is open to women eighteen years or older residing at least part-time in the United States whose primary practice is creating original paintings in figurative realism, and who identify as a woman (including cis and trans women and nonbinary people). Part-time residence must include an active studio practice in the U.S., with on-site studio visits required. 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 from October 7, 2022 through May 18, 2023. The winner may not be a student through May 2025. Artists who have received a prior award or grant of $25,000 or more, or sold any single work for $25,000 or more, are ineligible. Participation in the finalists exhibition is required, including submission and display of work and attendance at the opening event. Works must be available for exhibition from February 10, 2023 through September 2025.

Submissions require a minimum of three and maximum of five paintings plus one detail image (four to six images total). Only original works completed in the past five years are eligible. Paintings must depict representational images of one or more figures and be traditional paintings (paint on two-dimensional surface, including watercolor, gouache, and pastels). Mixed media pieces are acceptable if paint is the primary material. Paintings rendered over photographic images are not eligible. The entry fee is $40. Deadline for entry is 11:59 PM MST October 7, 2022. Artists will be notified of jury results by email no later than November 29, 2022. The MMA covers packing and shipping costs to and from the artist within the U.S. The MMA will also cover travel and lodging expenses for the ten finalists to attend the opening event May 18-19, 2023.