Returning for another edition, the Art Renewal Center (ARC) of New York has announced its 17th International ARC Salon Competition, inviting artists—both local and international—to enter the largest competition dedicated to 21st-century realism. The ARC, a non-profit educational foundation established in 1999, has spearheaded the revitalization of realism across the visual arts through its museum as well as educational resources, including providing a highly vetted and researched network of art schools that offer traditional skills-based training.

Jim McVicker, Begonias and Sunlight (2021). First Place Plein Air Category, 16th ARC Salon Competition.

The ARC Salon Competition, which debuted in 2004, is an invaluable opportunity for artists, with a chance to gain international exposure and recognition as well as win cash prizes. The previous iteration of the event saw more than 5,400 artists hailing from 75 countries submit their work, with selected work going on view at Sotheby’s New York. The forthcoming edition promises over $130,000 in total cash prizes, with the ability to have your work showcased—whether an emerging or established artist—to an audience of major publications, galleries, collectors, and more.

Further, roughly 100 selected works from both the 17th and 18th editions of the ARC Salon Competitions will be included in the much-anticipated exhibition planned once again with Sotheby’s, however this time at the auction house’s new flagship location on Madison Avenue. The show is slated for the summer of 2026, coinciding with the official award ceremony, and will see artists and art enthusiasts from around the world visit and explore the breadth of contemporary realism.

César Orrico, Bifronte (2021). First Place Sculpture Category, 16th ARC Salon Competition. Courtesy of the Art Renewal Center, New York.

The deadline for artist submissions is June 13, 2024, and is open to a diverse array of categories, including figurative, portraiture, imaginative realism, landscape, still life, and life model, as well as a special category for teen artists. It is also open to artists across mediums, including painting, drawing, and sculpture. More than 50 jurors with a diverse range of expertise will participate in the award selection process.

Courtesy of the Art Renewal Center, New York.

Winners, honorable mentions, finalists, and semi-finalists together will have the benefit of being published on the ARC website—that accrues approximately two million visitors every year—as well as be exposed to opportunities through the organization’s partners, including more than a dozen publications such as Fine Art Connoisseur, Southwest Art magazine, American Art Collector, and more. Collectively, the ARC Salon Competition is an unparalleled and not-to-be-missed opportunity for artists.

The deadline for submissions to the 17th International ARC Salon is June 13, 2024.