Chelsea International Fine Art Competition — CIFAC
40th edition opening reception, Agora Gallery, Chelsea
Jon Wollenhaupt, Bearing Witness, 40th CIFAC selected
39th edition opening reception, Agora Gallery, Chelsea
Awards reception, Agora Gallery, Chelsea
41st Edition · Open now

Your work.
Chelsea, New York.

The Chelsea International Fine Art Competition. Selected artists exhibit at Agora Gallery, 530 West 25th Street.

$55 until Dec 31, 2026
$55 / up to 5 images
$65 from January 1, 2027 · $5 per additional image · Deadline May 4, 2027
41consecutive editions since 1984
60+countries represented
30artists selected per edition
1,000+artists selected to date
$55 until Dec 31 · then $65Dec 31, 2026
DeadlineMay 4, 2027
ResultsJun 8, 2027
ExhibitionAug 2027

Awards, prizes & benefits

All 30 exhibited artists receive the collective exhibition. Prizes below go to selected artists.

  1. 01
    Collective Exhibition 30 artists
    All 30 selected artists exhibit at Agora Gallery in Chelsea, with a press release, opening reception, gallery listing and social media promotion.
  2. 02
    Cash Prizes $1,000 each
    5 selected artists each receive a cash prize of $1,000.
  3. 03
    Zine Award ArtisSpectrum
    5 artists featured in ArtisSpectrum, Agora Gallery's contemporary art publication.
  4. 04
    Newsletter Feature Artist feature
    5 artists receive a dedicated feature in Agora Gallery's collector newsletter.
  5. 05
    ARTmine Promotion 1 year
    5 artists receive one year on ARTmine.com with a professional artist statement.
  6. 06
    Honorable Mention Free entry
    10 artists receive an Honorable Mention and a complimentary entry to the next edition.

How it works

From submission to opening night in four steps.

  1. 01
    Submit your work

    Upload up to 5 images of your artwork, in any medium. $55 entry fee.

  2. 02
    Expert jury review

    An independent panel of curators reviews every entry blind: no names, no nationalities.

  3. 03
    Selection announced

    Results June 8, 2027. Selected artists are notified and ship their work to Chelsea.

  4. 04
    Exhibition in Chelsea

    30 artists exhibit at Agora Gallery, 530 West 25th Street, with an opening reception.

Before you enter

The essentials. Full rules are in the guidelines.

Who can enter

All visual artists worldwide, aged 18 and over. Submitted work must be available for sale.

Accepted media

Painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, digital media, printmaking and mixed media.

Maximum sizes

2D work up to 75 × 85 in. 3D work up to 72 × 72 × 24 in.

Not accepted

Video art, film, performance art, jewelry, crafts and AI-generated art.

Entry fee

$55 for up to 5 images until December 31, 2026, then $65. $5 per additional image.

Key dates

Deadline May 4, 2027. Results June 8, 2027. Exhibition August 2027.

Full guidelines and FAQ →

From the 40th edition

One work per selected artist.

Yu ChengLuna
Zinni VeshiSubway Riders
Susan RostanEarth Feminine
Rowane SylvesterTwo and a Half Kids and a Dog
Whitney PaigePouring Into My Prism
Jon WollenhauptBearing Witness

Jury

Jurors do not see artist names, nationalities or entry history.

Hayley FerberCurator, educator, artist, Brooklyn

Brooklyn-based independent curator, educator and artist, whose professional mission is to support a creative community of multidisciplinary artists.

Read more →
Shlomit DrorCurator, New York and Jerusalem

Independent curator working between New York and Jerusalem, with a practice focused on contemporary art and cultural exchange.

Read more →
Sara ReismanCurator, educator, writer, New York

Focused on socially engaged art, the history of exhibition making, public art, artist books, and the meeting points of art and social change.

Read more →

From past participants

“The exhibition was beautifully curated, the opening reception was fantastic, and the Agora team was responsive, professional, and genuinely kind.”

Paul Kroner40th CIFAC selected artist

“The work shown was diverse yet cohesive and thought-provoking; curated with care and precision by a kind, thoughtful, energetic, and engaging staff.”

Jay Hatfield39th CIFAC selected artist

“From the initial guidance to the opening reception and press release, the team provided thoughtful support every step of the way. Exhibiting in Chelsea is something very special.”

Nobuko Tsuruta39th CIFAC selected artist

Your work belongs in Chelsea.

$55 until December 31, 2026, then $65 · Deadline May 4, 2027

Enter the 41st CIFAC — $55

Our partners

Agora GalleryAGI Fine ArtARTmine
$55 until Dec 31Deadline May 4, 2027
Enter now