Presented by Art R us · Naples, Florida
Art R us Artist Discovery Award
A $5,000 monthly juried contemporary art award created to recognize original artistic voices and introduce their work to new audiences.
Your work deserves to be considered on its merits. The Art R us Artist Discovery Award welcomes emerging, mid-career, and established contemporary artists, with selection guided by originality, execution, visual impact, collector relevance, and professional presentation.
Check the official submission page for current entry status, deadlines, and announcement dates.
An opportunity to be discovered
Art R us is a contemporary fine art gallery in Naples, Florida, presenting paintings, sculpture, pop art, street art, mixed media, photography, and other contemporary works by established and emerging artists.
The Artist Discovery Award extends that platform to artists whose work merits a closer look. It creates opportunities for recognition and visibility among collectors, curators, designers, and audiences interested in contemporary art.
Selected artists may be featured through the Art R us website, social media, email communications, finalist announcements, and award-related press materials.
The $5,000 monthly award
The cash prize
Each monthly award round offers a $5,000 cash prize for the selected winner, subject to the Official Rules and eligibility verification.
Selection is based on artistic merit and juried review. Public voting does not determine the cash-award winner.
Artist visibility and opportunities
- Featured artist placement on artrus.com.
- Social media promotion through @art_r_us_florida.
- Collector-facing visibility through Art R us.
- Press announcement support.
- Consideration for future Art R us exhibitions, features, and gallery opportunities.
Award conditions are set out in the Official Rules. Consideration for future opportunities does not guarantee gallery representation, an exhibition, sales, or independent press coverage.
Who can submit?
Emerging, mid-career, and established artists working across contemporary visual art are welcome to apply, subject to the Official Rules.
Eligible disciplines include painting, sculpture, mixed media, pop art, street art, photography, digital art, fine art objects, and experimental contemporary work.
Artists must be at least 18 years old and meet the applicable eligibility requirements. Submissions are accepted from the United States and internationally where permitted.
Submitted artwork must be original, and the submitting artist must hold the rights required to enter the work and authorize its award-related display.
How the award works
- Review the current round. Read the Official Rules and check the submission page for entry availability, deadlines, and required materials.
- Submit your artwork. Complete the official award submission form with your artwork image, artist information, and all requested details. General contact forms and newsletter signups do not count as award entries.
- Curatorial review. Art R us reviews eligible entries against the published judging criteria. Approved submissions may appear on the award’s Submission Wall.
- Finalist recognition. Selected finalists may receive features through the gallery’s website, social media, email communications, and award announcements.
- Monthly winner selection. The cash-award decision is made through juried review, subject to the Official Rules. Winner announcements follow the schedule published for the relevant round.
Art R us may approve, decline, remove, or withhold submissions from public display in accordance with the Official Rules.
What the judges consider
- Originality: an individual artistic voice, distinctive ideas, and a considered approach.
- Technical execution: craftsmanship, command of materials, and the quality of the finished work.
- Visual impact: composition, presence, and the work’s ability to engage the viewer.
- Collector relevance: the work’s context, presentation, and relevance to a contemporary art collection.
- Professional presentation: clear artwork images, accurate information, and thoughtful supporting materials.
Final review is led by Matthew Snider, Founder of Art R us, together with selected curatorial and/or guest reviewers. Art R us makes the final award decision.
Review the Official Rules for the complete judging criteria, weighting, and award conditions.
Artist questions
Is there an entry fee?
No. No purchase, payment, donation, or sale is required to submit or be selected.
Does public voting choose the $5,000 winner?
No. The cash-award winner is selected through juried review. If offered, People’s Choice recognition is separate and may involve public voting.
Do I need an established exhibition history?
The award welcomes emerging, mid-career, and established artists. Entries are reviewed against the published judging criteria and eligibility requirements.
Where can I find this month’s deadline?
Check the official submission page for the current round’s status, deadline, and announcement information.
Prepare your submission
Choose work that represents your artistic voice. Provide clear images, accurate artwork details, and the supporting information requested by the official submission form.
The Art R us Artist Discovery Award is a skill-based, juried contemporary art award. Selection is based on artistic merit and the published criteria, rather than chance.
Presented by Art R us, Naples, Florida. Follow @art_r_us_florida for gallery and award announcements.
