IMPORTANT: READ BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR ENTRY

 

ALL ARTISTS MUST UPLOAD THEIR IMAGE FILES AND NAME THEM CORRECTLY. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS WILL REQUIRE RESUBMISSION OR MAY RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION.

 

1. DOUBLE-CLICK YOUR IMAGE SELECTION. On the entry form, select the number of artworks you wish to submit and DOUBLE-CLICK YOUR SELECTION to display the corresponding image upload fields.

 

2. UPLOAD EACH IMAGE FILE. You must attach a JPEG image of EVERY artwork entered. Typing the title, dimensions, medium, price, or other information into the artwork description fields DOES NOT upload your images. Each image must be attached separately using the upload fields.

 

3. NAME YOUR IMAGE FILES CORRECTLY BEFORE UPLOADING. Every filename MUST include the artist's first and last name, artwork title, dimensions, medium, and price (or NFS).

 

Example: John_Doe_Annunciation_16x20_oil_canvas_$2000.jpg

 

4. VERIFY YOUR UPLOADS BEFORE SUBMITTING. Confirm that every image has been successfully attached to the form and that the filenames contain all required information.

 

THE JURORS WILL ONLY REVIEW ARTWORK THAT HAS BEEN PROPERLY SUBMITTED WITH ITS IMAGE FILES. Providing a website address, portfolio link, or written description is not a substitute for uploading your artwork. With hundreds of submissions to review, jurors cannot visit individual artists' websites to locate missing images.

 

Artists who fail to upload their images or follow the naming requirements will be required to correct and resubmit their applications by the entry deadline or risk disqualification.

 

Preparing, organizing, jurying, and publishing the international online exhibition requires considerable administrative work. Properly uploaded and labeled images are essential to identifying each artist's work, ensuring accurate jury review, and preparing the exhibition gallery. Your careful attention to these requirements is mandatory and greatly appreciated.

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About the Sacred Art Prize

Recognizing excellence in contemporary sacred art, the Sacred Art Prize is an international juried competition presented by the Catholic Art Institute, featuring an online exhibition in November 2026 and a live exhibition at The Sacred Art Gallery in Mesa, Arizona, February 27–March 27, 2027.

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The Sacred Art Prize reaches a worldwide audience and has become a valuable resource for architects, liturgical arts firms, clergy, patrons, and collectors seeking exceptional sacred art and artists for commissions and acquisitions.

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Works by Sacred Art Prize and Bernini Awards winners have attracted the attention of collectors and patrons, leading to sales and new professional opportunities.

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The competition offers artists an opportunity to gain international recognition, exhibit and sell their work, and connect with those actively supporting the renewal of sacred art.

 

Submission and Jurying Criteria

The Sacred Art Prize seeks works of exceptional artistic merit that demonstrate fidelity to the theological, devotional, and artistic traditions of the Catholic Church.

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Submissions will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

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1. Mastery of the Artistic Medium

Demonstrated technical excellence and mature competency in the fundamental principles of the artist's chosen medium, including, where applicable, sound drawing, composition, anatomy, proportion, craftsmanship, and the convincing representation of the human figure.

 

2. Biblical and Ecclesiastical Content

Subjects drawn from Sacred Scripture, the lives of the saints, Catholic doctrine, liturgy, and devotional tradition. Works should demonstrate an understanding of Catholic theology and continuity with the historical artistic traditions of the Church.

 

3. Effectiveness in Sacramental Revelation

Sacred art should transcend mere naturalistic representation to communicate spiritual and theological truth, directing the viewer toward contemplation of the divine.

 

Preference will be given to works that successfully unite artistic excellence with theological depth and devotional purpose, rather than those concerned primarily with photographic imitation, political commentary, personal expression, or technical novelty.

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Subjects Sought

Appropriate subjects include, but are not limited to:

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• The Life, Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ

• The Blessed Virgin Mary and the mysteries of her life

• Biblical events, narratives, and figures from the Old and New Testaments

• The lives, martyrdoms, and miracles of the saints

• The seven sacraments and the sacred liturgy

• The corporal and spiritual works of mercy

• The theological and cardinal virtues, and allegorical representations of virtues and vices

• Traditional iconography and devotional imagery

• Other subjects consistent with Catholic doctrine and suitable for liturgical or devotional use

 

Recommended Resources

 

Artists are strongly encouraged to consider the theological purpose of sacred art when preparing their submissions.

 

The Human Figure and Contemporary Sacred Art, by sculptor Cody Swanson, published in Sacred Architecture Journal:

https://www.sacredarchitecture.org/articles/the_human_figure_and_contemporary_sacred_art

 

We also recommend this presentation addressing theological approaches to sacred art:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3c1OrRusGk&t=129s

 

Accepted Media and Subject Restrictions

Accepted media include:

 

Representational painting, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, illumination, traditional iconography, liturgical textiles, stained glass, mosaic, altar furnishings, and devotional objects, including medals, monstrances, and vestments.

All works must be recognizable in subject and appropriate for liturgical use or public or private devotion.

The following will NOT be accepted:

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• Photography, photographic hyperrealism, or computer-generated artwork

• AI-generated final artwork

• Copies of existing works, except traditional icons or works that substantially reinterpret an existing composition through original artistic contributions

• Depictions of non-canonized individuals presented as canonized saints

• Works whose religious significance is apparent only through their titles, without recognizable sacred content

• Architectural views of church interiors or exteriors unless depicting a significant religious or historical event, liturgical celebration, or administration of the sacraments

• Mass-produced statues that have merely been painted or decorated

• Restoration projects involving existing statues or other artworks

 

Use of Artificial Intelligence: AI may be used for preliminary research or conceptual exploration, but the final submitted artwork must be an original work executed by the artist, demonstrating the artist's own imagination, artistic judgment, composition, and craftsmanship. AI-generated final images or works substantially produced through generative AI will be disqualified.

 

Eligibility

The competition is open to professional and amateur artists 18 years of age or older, regardless of religious affiliation or nationality.

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• All submitted works must be original creations of the submitting artist.

• Works must have been completed within the past ten years.

• Artists may submit a maximum of five works.

• A triptych conceived and executed as a unified work may be entered as one submission.

• Works do not need to be available for sale to qualify for the competition or online exhibition.

• Only works available for sale are eligible for the live exhibition at The Sacred Art Gallery.

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Online and Live Exhibition Eligibility

All submitted works, regardless of size or whether they are available for sale, are eligible for consideration for the juried online exhibition, which will be published in November 2026 on the Catholic Art Institute website.

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Original works selected for the live exhibition at The Sacred Art Gallery in Mesa, Arizona, February 27–March 27, 2027, must be available for sale.

Works designated NFS (Not for Sale) may also be considered for the live exhibition. The Sacred Art Gallery may wish to produce fine art reproductions of selected winning works for exhibition and potential sale. In such cases, the gallery will contact the artist directly to obtain permission and establish a mutually agreed-upon reproduction, sales, and commission arrangement before proceeding.

 

Participation in the live exhibition through reproduction is entirely optional and subject to the artist's approval. Artists retain copyright to their original work.

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Sales and Gallery Commission

For original artworks sold through the live exhibition, proceeds will be distributed as follows:

• 70% to the artist

• 30% to The Sacred Art Gallery

 

Any reproduction and sales arrangements involving NFS works will be negotiated separately with the artist and require their prior consent.

 

The Sacred Art Gallery will donate a portion of its sales proceeds to the Catholic Art Institute in support of its mission.

 

Works exceeding these dimensions remain eligible for the online exhibition but may not be selected for the live gallery exhibition.

 

Submission Process

Please complete the official entry form at the bottom of this page.

 

STEP 1 — Select Your Number of Entries

Select the number of artworks you wish to submit according to your entry category.

YOU MUST DOUBLE-CLICK THE NUMBER OF IMAGES YOU WISH TO SUBMIT TO DISPLAY THE IMAGE UPLOAD FIELDS.

 

STEP 2 — Prepare and Name Your Image Files

Before uploading, rename EVERY image file using the following format:

FirstName_LastName_Title_Dimensions_Medium_Price.jpg

 

Examples:

John_Doe_Annunciation_16x20_oil_canvas_$2000.jpg

John_Doe_Nativity_18x24_oil_canvas_$2500.jpg

John_Doe_St_Joseph_18x24_oil_canvas_NFS.jpg

 

Your name and all artwork details MUST be included in the actual filename, not merely in the description field.

 

STEP 3 — Upload Your Artwork Images

Attach each JPEG image to its corresponding upload field.

 

IMPORTANT: Completing the artwork description fields does NOT upload your images. You must actually select and attach each image file.

Do not substitute links to personal websites, online portfolios, or social media accounts. Jurors will not visit outside websites to locate artwork that has not been uploaded.

 

STEP 4 — Enter Artwork Information

After uploading your images, provide a numbered list of the artworks submitted, including the artist's full name, title, dimensions, medium, and price or NFS designation.

 

Example:

1. John Doe, Annunciation, 16 × 20 inches, oil on canvas, $2,000

2. John Doe, Nativity, 18 × 24 inches, oil on canvas, $2,500

3. John Doe, St. Joseph, 18 × 24 inches, oil on canvas, NFS

 

STEP 5 — Verify and Submit

Before submitting your entry and proceeding to payment, confirm that:

• Every artwork has a corresponding uploaded JPEG file.

• Every filename includes your name, title, dimensions, medium, and price/NFS.

• All artwork information matches the uploaded image files.

• Your entry form is complete and accurate.

 

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS, MISSING IMAGE FILES, OR INCORRECTLY NAMED IMAGES WILL REQUIRE RESUBMISSION AND MAY RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION.

 

Image Requirements

All submitted images must meet the following requirements:

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• File format: JPEG (.jpg or .jpeg)

• Recommended file size: 1–4 MB per image

• Maximum total upload size: 25 MB per entry form

• Images must be clear, properly oriented, and of sufficient resolution to permit detailed jury review.

• Photographs should accurately represent the artwork's colors, composition, and craftsmanship.

• Image files must be named according to the required naming convention.

 

Files exceeding the form's upload limits may fail to attach successfully.

 

The Catholic Art Institute cannot prepare, resize, rename, or upload image files on behalf of applicants.

 

If you have questions about submission requirements, please contact contact@catholicartinstitute.org before submitting your application.

 

Submission Fees

Entry fees are determined by membership category and number of works submitted.

Please refer to the current entry form for the applicable fees for students, Catholic Art Institute members, and non-members.

A maximum of five artworks may be submitted per artist.

 

Payment Instructions

Payment may be made by credit card or PayPal through the online submission form.

 

Please disable pop-up blockers or other software that may prevent the payment page from loading.

 

The payment page may take several seconds to appear. Please be patient and do not repeatedly submit the form.

 

If the payment page fails to load, please contact contact@catholicartinstitute.org.

 

International applicants experiencing difficulty with credit card or PayPal payments should contact us for assistance.

 

Sales and Gallery Commission

Works selected for the live exhibition must be available for sale.

Artists should establish realistic prices that reflect the work's artistic merit, medium, size, and market value, taking into consideration the gallery's sales commission.

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Sales proceeds will be distributed as follows:

• 70% to the artist

• 30% to The Sacred Art Gallery

 

The Sacred Art Gallery will donate a portion of its sales proceeds to the Catholic Art Institute in support of its mission.

Works designated NFS remain eligible for the juried competition and online exhibition but will not be included in the live gallery exhibition.

 

Shipping and Delivery of Artwork

Artists selected for the live exhibition will receive detailed instructions regarding shipping, delivery, exhibition preparation, and return arrangements.

Artists are responsible for all costs associated with delivering and retrieving their artwork, including return shipping for unsold works.

 

Shipping Requirements:

• Artwork must be securely packed in professional-quality protective packaging.

• We strongly recommend reinforced shipping containers, such as Airfloat Strongboxes or Masterpak Titan Strongboxes.

• All shipped artwork must include a prepaid return shipping label.

• Do not use packing peanuts. Artwork shipped with packing peanuts may be refused.

• Artists are strongly encouraged to insure their work for its full value during transit.

 

The Catholic Art Institute is not responsible for loss or damage occurring during shipping or transit.

Artists who elect to hand-deliver their work must also arrange for pickup of unsold artwork at the conclusion of the exhibition.

 

Winners, Finalists, and Awards

The Sacred Art Prize recognizes outstanding achievements in contemporary sacred art across multiple artistic disciplines.

Jurors may recognize excellence in painting, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, and other eligible media, depending on the nature and quality of the submissions received.

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Awards may include:

• First Prize

• Second Prize

• Third Prize

• Honorable Mentions

• Additional distinctions recognizing excellence in individual artistic media

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Three cash prizes will be awarded among the overall winners. Additional category recognitions and honorable mentions may be conferred at the discretion of the jurors.

 

The jury reserves the right to determine the number and distribution of awards, including withholding awards or honorable mentions if the submissions do not meet the competition's standards of excellence.

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Winning and selected works will be featured in the Catholic Art Institute's online exhibition, with opportunities for additional promotion and visibility among collectors, patrons, clergy, architects, and organizations commissioning sacred art.

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Artists selected for the live exhibition will be notified and provided with exhibition details and deadlines.

 

Image Reproduction and Promotion

By submitting an entry, artists grant the Catholic Art Institute permission to reproduce images of their submitted work, if selected, for purposes directly related to the Sacred Art Prize, including the online exhibition, website, social media, announcements, and promotional materials.

Artists retain ownership and copyright of their original artwork.

 

FINAL REMINDER — PLEASE VERIFY YOUR ENTRY

BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION:

✓ DOUBLE-CLICK the number of images you wish to submit to reveal the upload fields.

✓ UPLOAD an actual JPEG image file for EVERY artwork entered.

✓ NAME each image file with your first and last name, artwork title, dimensions, medium, and price/NFS.

✓ VERIFY that all image files have been successfully attached.

✓ DO NOT substitute artwork descriptions, website links, or portfolio links for uploaded images.

 

Missing images and incorrectly named files create substantial additional administrative work and prevent the efficient organization, jurying, and publication of the exhibition. Applications that do not comply with these requirements must be corrected and resubmitted by the deadline or may be disqualified.

 

EXTENDED ENTRY DEADLINE: OCTOBER 27, 2026

For questions, please contact:

contact@catholicartinstitute.org

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The Catholic Art Institute gratefully acknowledges the generous support of Canning Liturgical Arts and Willet Studios, sponsors of the 2026 Sacred Art Prize.