The Bennett Prize
The Bennett Prize supports under-recognized women figurative realist painters with $75,000 to create a solo exhibition of new work that tours nationally.
Funder: Pittsburgh Foundation
Due Dates: September 19, 2026 (Call for Entries closes)
Funding Amounts: $75,000 to the winner for a solo exhibition; additional $10,000 runner-up prize; award period spans two years.
Summary: Major award supporting a woman figurative realist painter to create a solo exhibition, advancing under-recognized talent in this genre.
Key Information: Open to women (including trans and nonbinary people who identify as women) figurative realist painters residing at least part-time in the U.S.; prior major art sales/prizes over $35,000 disqualify.
Description
The Bennett Prize is a biennial award established to propel the careers of women figurative realist painters who have not yet achieved full professional recognition. The winner receives $75,000, distributed over two years, to create a solo exhibition of new figurative realist paintings, which then tours nationally. The Prize aims to both elevate the visibility of women in this genre and introduce the public to their work. In addition to the main award, a $10,000 runner-up prize (the Dr. Elaine Melotti Schmidt Prize) is also given.
The competition seeks to support both emerging and long-practicing women artists who have not previously sold a single work or received an art award/prize exceeding $35,000. The Prize is open to a broad definition of “woman,” including trans women and nonbinary individuals who identify as women.
