Rising Voices 4: The Bennett Prize for Women Figurative Realist Painters

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 women painters working in figurative realism. Administered by The Pittsburgh Foundation, the prize is awarded biennially and 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, 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 15 to August 24, 2025 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 the creation of original paintings in figurative realism. Part-time residence must include an active studio practice in the U.S., and 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. To be eligible as a finalist, artists must not be a full- or part-time student between October 4, 2024 and May 15, 2025. The prize winner may not be a full- or part-time student from May 15, 2025 through the opening of her solo exhibition in May 2027. 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 not eligible. Paintings must depict representational images of one or more figures and must be traditional paintings (paint on a two-dimensional surface). Watercolor, gouache, and pastels are considered paint. Mixed media pieces are acceptable if paint is the primary material. Paintings rendered over photographic images are not eligible. Only original works completed in the past five years are eligible.

Submit a minimum of three and no more than five artworks plus one detail image (four to six images total) through the CaFÉ website at www.callforentry.org. Digital image files must include title, media, and dimensions. Professional photography is encouraged but not required. Entry fee is $40. Deadline is October 4, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. MDT. Artists must participate in the exhibition of finalists and have works available for exhibition from February 7, 2025 through September 2, 2027.