Frequently Asked Questions

Can selected artwork be replaced if sold prior to the exhibition?

Yes, but the artwork replacement is pending approval and is only valid with artwork similar in style and medium to the selected piece.

If I am selected to receive a monetary award, how do I receive the cash prize?

You will have the option to receive the award as a check or wired funds.

Our competition representative will be in contact with you regarding the cash awards.

Are entry fees refundable?

Entry fees are non-refundable, except in cases where there has been a double payment or payment error.

TAKE NOTE: We cannot offer refunds for any other reason, including if you change your mind about entering the competition. Please consult our competition representative first and email us at cifac@nyartcompetitions.com.

Aside from the entry fee for the contest, will there be additional charges?

If an artist is selected for the collective exhibition award, they are responsible for all shipping charges to and from the exhibition space.

Selected artists are responsible for all arrangements and costs connected to shipping to and from the exhibition space and to insure the work while it is in transit.

How much does it cost to enter the competition?

There is a $55 entry fee for up to 5 images ($5 for each additional image).

Note that once you have paid, your entry is considered complete. Hence, no additional changes or additional images can be made.

What methods of payment do you accept?

We accept PayPal and the following credit cards: MasterCard, Visa, Diners, American Express, Discover, JCB, and UnionPay.

Do artists who signed an agreement with AGI Fine Art have to pay the entry fee?

Yes. The competition is not juried by Agora Gallery or AGI Fine Art, and participation in the competition is not included in AGI Fine Art services. All entrants must pay the baseline $55 entry fee for the competition.

Are numbered giclée prints accepted for the exhibition?

Giclée prints will only be accepted for digital and photography work.

Can artwork that is not for sale be considered for the competition?

No. All submitted artwork must be available for sale.

Can I enter if I don’t live in the United States?

Yes, the competition is open to artists anywhere in the world. All artists receive equal consideration.

How will I know if my entry has been successfully submitted?

You will receive an email confirmation of your entry. If you do not receive confirmation within 24 hours, please contact cifac@nyartcompetitions.com.

Is collaborative work accepted?

Collaborative work is accepted as long as collaboration does not exceed two people.

Is kinetic work accepted?

Kinetic work can be accepted. However, MPEG or QuickTime files are not accepted; please send up to 3 JPG files of your work.

Is miniature sculpture accepted?

The miniature sculpture is accepted; however, if the work is chosen, the artist is responsible for the installation, with the work protected in a Plexiglas box during the exhibition.

Is artificial intelligence art (AI-ART) accepted?

No, we do not accept artificial intelligence-generated art (AI-ART) for the competition. Our competition is dedicated to showcasing and celebrating human creativity and artistic expression.

We encourage artists to submit their original, human-created artworks that reflect their individual perspectives and creative journeys, allowing us to appreciate the depth and diversity of human artistic talent.

Is there a time frame in which the work must have been produced?

There is no time frame in which work was created. But if selected, the artwork must be available during the competition exhibition dates and must be available for sale.

Is there an age requirement?

Yes. All entrants must be at least 18 years of age. We do not accept entries from minor artists.

What are the dimensional limitations of the actual artwork?

2-Dimensional Work: Each piece can be no larger than 75 x 85 inches (192 x 218 centimeters). Diptych, Triptych: A work made up of multiple pieces can be up to 168 inches (427 centimeters) wide, as long as each part is no larger than 75 x 85 inches (192 x 218 centimeters).

3-Dimensional Work: The maximum size for a work that is pre-assembled (arrives as one piece) is 72 x 72 x 24 inches (184 x 184 x 61 centimeters). The maximum size for work that is comprised of multiple parts to be assembled in the gallery is 72 x 72 x 36 inches (184 x 184 x 92 centimeters).

Which media are not eligible for the competition?

Video art, film, performance art, jewelry, artificial intelligence-generated art (AI), and crafts are not eligible

I was not selected in the last competition. Does that mean that my chance of being selected is lower than other artists?

No, not necessarily. Our competition features different jurors and artists each year, providing opportunities for a wide range of artworks to be recognized. Even if you were not selected in a previous competition, we encourage you to participate again with the same or different work.

You never know what will catch the eye of the jurors, and we welcome all artists to submit their best work for consideration each year.

Will the judging be based on the actual artwork, or will it be based on the images that are sent?

Judging will be done based only on image files in JPG format.

How can I become a sponsor/partner for the competition?

If you are interested in sponsoring the competition or being a partner, please contact us at cifac@nyartcompetitions.com.

Which art organizations are sponsoring the art competition?

For a complete list of our sponsors/partners, please visit our Partners page.

Can I send a digital image of my artwork as an entry?

Yes. All entries, without exception, must be in a digital format with the following specifications:

• Each image must be at least 72 dpi and 200 KB. The shortest side of the image must be at least 338 pixels.
• All entries must be in JPG format.
• Each image should not exceed 5MB and should be smaller than 7500 x 7500 pixels.

Do artists who signed an agreement with AGI Fine Art have to pay the entry fee?

Yes. The competition is not juried by Agora Gallery or AGI Fine Art, and participation in the competition is not included in AGI Fine Art services. All entrants must pay the entry fee.

How do I get a digital image of my artwork?

You can use professional photographs, or you can take digital photographs yourself. You may also scan work directly or from a photograph using a flatbed scanner.​

We also suggest that you check out this blog post on how to take a better image of your artwork: How to Take Great Photos of your Artwork?

How important is the quality of the artwork photograph I send?

Image quality is very important. This is the only exposure to your work jurors will have, and a poor representation (such as a blurred image, or one affected by glare, dim lighting, or unnecessary background objects) may reduce your chances of being selected.

Is it acceptable to submit images of several artworks or should I submit multiple views of the same artwork?

You decide what you want to submit, either images of several pieces or multiple views of the same piece, both options are acceptable.

Should a watermark or copyright information be added to the artwork?

No, all images must be clear of any copyright information so the identity of all artists remains anonymous. In the interest of fairness, judges will not see the names of the artists. Any images that do contain artists’ names or any other watermark/copyright information will be disqualified.

Should I include a résumé and a statement with the entry?

No. To give everyone an equal chance, the competition is judged solely on the basis of the work itself. If you are selected, a biography/resume and statement will then be needed for the exhibition to be published on the Agora Gallery website. ​

How do I find out the results of the competition?

Results will be emailed to all participating artists and published on our website on June 11th, 2024.​

Where can I see the results of previous years’ competitions?

You can see the results of previous years’ competitions here.

Do the sponsors have a right to use my artwork image? Will they be used in any other way?

All participants must understand that any artwork image submitted to The Chelsea International Fine Art Competition will be used by us for promotional purposes only. Due credit will be given to the artists.

If the artwork doesn’t sell, will it be returned to the artist?

Yes. The artwork is the property of the artist and will be returned at the end of the exhibition if not sold. The artist is responsible for paying for the return shipping of each piece.

What is the commission structure on the work sold?

The exhibition space incorporates a 20/80 commission structure: the artist receives 80% of the list/retail price, and the exhibition space receives 20% of the list/retail price.

What should I do if someone submitted my images to you without my permission?

If you believe your work has been copied and posted on our website in a way that constitutes copyright infringement, please provide us with the following information:

• An electronic or physical signature of the person authorized to act on behalf of the owner of the copyright interest.
• A description of the copyrighted work that you claim has been infringed.
• A description of where the allegedly infringed material is located on our website.
• Your address, telephone number, and email address.
• A written statement by you that you have a good faith belief that the disputed use is not authorized by the copyright owner or its agent.
• A written and signed statement by you, made under penalty of perjury, that the information in your notice to us is truthful and accurate and that you are the copyright owner or are authorized to act on behalf of the copyright owner.

When can I expect payment for artwork sold during the competition exhibition?

You will be paid within 3 weeks after the organization receives full payment for the sold artwork.

Am I responsible for shipping and customs?

All shipping and customs arrangements and costs are the responsibility of the selected artists. In addition, it is highly recommended that all work is insured while being shipped.

How many monitors are available to artists who can not afford to ship the original artwork?

Three monitors will be available to artists who cannot send work to the exhibition space. Each monitor may present up to five images of the artist’s work. Monitors will be provided on a first come/first serve basis. Selected artists must inform us as soon as they receive the results.​

If I am selected for the exhibition, do I need to frame or stretch my artwork?

If you are selected, your work must be framed or stretched. You are responsible for the cost if work arrives at the exhibition space unframed/unstretched. Framed work must be framed in a similar manner; frames do not have to be identical, but they must be very similar.

Keep in mind that works are usually displayed next to one another, and using different types of frames will distract the viewers. It is your responsibility to make sure that your artwork is adequately wired and ready to hang.