---
title: "Bennett Prize Competition for Women Figurative Painters"
organization: "The Bennett Prize"
category: prize
deadline: 2026-09-19
valid_through: 2026-09-19
countries: ["US"]
disciplines: ["painting"]
location: "Muskegon, Michigan, USA"
entry_fee: "$50"
award: "$75,000 top prize, solo exhibition at the Muskegon Museum of Art, 10 finalists participate in a traveling exhibition, $10,000 for one runner-up."
eligibility: "Women and femme-identifying people age 18 and older who maintain a residence in the U.S."
source_url: "https://glasstire.com/2026/04/14/bennett-prize-competition-for-women-figurative-painters-open-call-2027-jurors-announced/"
canonical: "https://opencallradar.com/open-calls/bennett-prize-competition-for-women-figurative-painters-the-bennett-priz-5b1927c5"
status: closed
last_updated: 2026-04-25T22:41:49.013584
---
# Bennett Prize Competition for Women Figurative Painters

> **STATUS: CLOSED** — the application deadline has passed.
> This page is preserved so external citations stay reachable, but
> the listing is no longer accepting applications.


**Organization**: The Bennett Prize
**Category**: prize
**Deadline**: 2026-09-19
**Location**: Muskegon, Michigan, USA
**Country code(s)**: US
**Discipline(s)**: painting
**Entry fee**: $50
**Award**: $75,000 top prize, solo exhibition at the Muskegon Museum of Art, 10 finalists participate in a traveling exhibition, $10,000 for one runner-up.
**Eligibility**: Women and femme-identifying people age 18 and older who maintain a residence in the U.S.

## Description

The Bennett Prize is a biennial competition for women figurative realist painters, established by art collector Steven Alan Bennett and Dr. Elaine Melotti Schmidt. The competition aims to uplift artists who have not yet received full recognition, supporting both new talents and established painters. The top prize winner receives $75,000 and a solo exhibition at the Muskegon Museum of Art. Additionally, 10 finalists will be selected for a traveling exhibition titled 'Rising Voices,' and one runner-up will receive $10,000. Eligible applicants are women and femme-identifying individuals aged 18 and older residing in the U.S. The jury process includes in-person studio visits. The application fee is $50, and the deadline for submission is September 19, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. MST.

## Apply / Verify

- Official source: https://glasstire.com/2026/04/14/bennett-prize-competition-for-women-figurative-painters-open-call-2027-jurors-announced/
- OpenCall Radar listing: https://opencallradar.com/open-calls/bennett-prize-competition-for-women-figurative-painters-the-bennett-priz-5b1927c5