Metropolitan Melodies
Celebrating urban life's rhythm, energy, and personality. Artists of all career stages are invited to share their vision of the city — through painting, photography, sculpture, digital art, or mixed media.
Selected works are exhibited at the AGI Fine Art gallery in Chelsea, featured in a curated digital display, covered in editorial blog posts, and amplified across NYAC and AGI Fine Art's social media platforms.
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Competition Awards
One selected artist will receive 6 feet of linear wall space at a future AGI Fine Art collective exhibition.
Three Chosen Artists will showcase their work on AGI's digital monitor during a collective exhibition.
Three Selected Artists will be highlighted in a feature article on the AGI Fine Art's and NYAC's blog.
Three Selected Artists will receive dedicated posts across AGI Fine Art's and NYAC's social media platforms.
Ten Artists will be selected as honorable mentions and featured in social media stories on AGI Fine Art and NYAC.
Competition Guidelines
Eligibility
All artists aged 18 and above are encouraged to enter, whether you are a seasoned professional or an emerging talent.
AI use is prohibited at any stage of the creative process of the submitted work — including AI-generated imagery, using AI for feedback or critique, asking AI for composition or conceptual advice, and using AI to analyze or view the work. Eligibility is assessed work by work; past use of AI on other projects does not automatically disqualify an artist or a series.
Application
Application in the Metropolitan Melodies competition required a $35 entry fee, which covered up to 3 images.
Entry Material
Required: Each artist must enter up to three (3) artworks on any topic that aligns with the theme of urban and city life. All entries must be in high-quality digital format (JPEG or PNG).
Additional Entry
The maximum number of images is 3 per entry, but you can add more for around $5 per additional image.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many artworks can be submitted per entry?
Each entry allows an artist to submit up to three (3) artworks. If you wish to submit more than three, there is an additional fee of $5 for each extra image.
Can I submit AI-generated artworks?
No, all submissions must be original and created by the submitting artist. AI-generated artworks will be disqualified.
Does the no-AI rule apply only to AI-generated images, or does it include using AI for advice and feedback?
The policy covers any AI use at any stage of the creative process, including feedback, critique, composition advice, or creative ideas — even if no AI-generated imagery appears in the final work. Showing a completed artwork to an AI for comments is also considered AI use.
Can I enter if I've used AI tools on other projects in the past?
Yes. Eligibility is based on the specific work submitted. If that work was created entirely without AI, it is eligible.
If I used AI on an earlier series, does that disqualify my whole body of work?
No. Eligibility is assessed work by work.
What if past AI feedback has indirectly influenced how I work?
Residual influence from past experiences does not make future independently created work ineligible.
Is there an age limit to participate?
Yes, all applicants must be 18 years old and above to participate.
Are there any restrictions on subject matter?
No restrictions, but all submitted artworks must be available for sale and align with the urban and city life theme.
What are the categories for submission?
Nine categories: City Skylines, Street Scenes, Urban Landscapes, Cityscapes, Residential Neighborhoods, Historic Districts, Marketplace, Industrial Areas, and Transit Hubs.
If selected, can I get all the awards or just one?
You are only entitled to one award if selected. For example, if selected for the monitor display, you will not receive the social media exposure or honorable mentions.
What Selected Artists Say
I am so happy and lucky to get the Metropolitan Melodies prize. This prize gave me confidence, a chance to travel to New York, and an opportunity to show my artwork… Seeing visitors' reactions felt like a dream, proving art crosses any language. This experience inspired me to create new artwork based on New York.”Shinichiro WakitaTokyo — 2024 Metropolitan Melodies Selected Artist
I'm really happy to have received a nomination as one of the participants in the Metropolitan Melodies competition. Being chosen from so many international submissions fills me with pride and reassures me that I'm on the right path with my chosen painting style, focusing on highly detailed photorealism.”Ralf KunstmannGermany — 2024 Metropolitan Melodies Selected Artist
It was an honor to be selected as one of the artists for the Metropolitan Melodies exhibition. The competition's theme inspired me to explore and celebrate the beauty of the cities I've visited and lived in. NY Art Competitions provides an excellent platform for artists worldwide.”Rachel Halili AquinoPhilippines — 2024 Metropolitan Melodies Selected Artist
My experience with Agora Gallery and the CIPC has been solid from start to finish. Forthright, proactive, professional, helpful, communication throughout. The exhibition itself was well put together and looked great at every level. Thanks for everything!”Bradly Dever TreadawayUnited States — 2021/2022 Selected Artist
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See the Selected Artists
Explore the works selected across all award tiers from Metropolitan Melodies.
View selected artists →