---
title: The Bennett Prize 5
description: >-
  Biennial $75,000 prize for women figurative realist painters in the U.S., with
  a traveling exhibition of ten finalists at the Muskegon Museum of Art.
url: 'https://www.artsume.com/programs/52c5f3f6-bba1-4dec-88b3-172a871673a7'
type: program
status: closed
createdAt: '2026-09-04'
updatedAt: '2026-09-20'
programType: Prize/award
organization: Muskegon Museum of Art
organizationUrl: 'https://www.artsume.com/o/muskegon-museum-of-art'
deadline: '2026-09-19'
entryFee: 50 USD
location: 'Muskegon Museum of Art, Muskegon, MI, United States'
isOnline: false
compensationRange: >-
  First place prize of $75,000 over two consecutive years ($37,500 annually);
  runner up award of $10,000
disciplines:
  - painting
  - figurative realism
  - watercolor
  - gouache
  - pastel
  - mixed media
---

# The Bennett Prize 5

**Hosted by:** Muskegon Museum of Art

**Type:** Prize/award | **Location:** Muskegon Museum of Art, Muskegon, MI, United States | **Deadline:** September 19, 2026 | **Entry fee:** $50

## About This Program

> "Figurative realism painting by women artists"

The Bennett Prize is a stipend/grant-in-aid program established by American art collectors Steven Alan Bennett and Dr. Elaine Melotti Schmidt to support the fine art practice of a woman painter working in figurative realism. The Bennett Prize is awarded biennially with a first place prize of $75,000 over two consecutive years ($37,5000 annually). Ten (10) finalists will be selected to participate in a traveling exhibition organized by the Muskegon Museum of Art (MMA) and the winner will be showcased in a solo exhibition at the close of her grant.

A runner up award of $10,000 will be given to one additional finalist. The opening exhibition will be held from May 20 to August 22, 2027 at the Muskegon Museum of Art before traveling to additional venues. Eligible Entries: Paintings must depict representational images of one or more figures of any gender. Figures may be clothed or nude and do not need to be photorealistic.

All entries must be traditional paintings, which is defined as paint upon a two-dimensional surface. For this purpose, watercolor, gouache, and pastels are considered "paint." Mixed media pieces will be considered as long as paint is the primary material. Paintings rendered over the top of photographic images are NOT eligible. Only original works completed in the past five (5) years are eligible for consideration.

## Eligibility & Requirements

- **Geographic Eligibility:** National
- **Disciplines:** painting, figurative realism, watercolor, gouache, pastel, mixed media
- **Age Requirements:** 18+ years old
- **Note:** The Bennett Prize is open only to women eighteen (18) years or older residing at least part time in the United States (50 States and Washington, D.C.) whose primary practice is the creation of original paintings in the genre of figurative realism. Part-time residence must include an active studio practice in the U.S. (On-site studio visits are a required component of The Prize.) U.S. Citizenship is not required.

Artists must be currently pursuing, or hope to pursue, a career as a full-time painter. To be eligible as a Finalist artists must not be a full- or part-time student between the close of the call for entry on September 19th, 2026 through the announcement of the Prize winner on May 20, 2027. The winner of The Prize may not be a full- or part-time student at any time from May 20, 2027 through the opening of her solo Prize exhibition in May 2029.

Employment during the period of the grant DOES NOT affect eligibility. Artists who have received a prior award or grant of $35,000 or more, or sold any single work of art for $35,000 or more, are NOT eligible. To be considered for The Bennett Prize artists are required to participate in the exhibition of finalists, both by the submission and display of their work and attendance at the opening event.

Artists must have works available for exhibition from February 12, 2027 through Sept. 2029. Only original works completed in the past five (5) years are eligible. The Prize is not open to hobbyists or students. Submission limit: 1.

### Additional Requirements

Entry is digital through the CaFÉ (www.callforentry.org) website; search keyword "Bennett." Free CaFÉ registration is required. Submit a minimum of three (3) and no more than five (5) artworks plus one (1) detail image demonstrating craft and technique, for a total of four (4) to six (6) images. Entries that do not include a minimum of three (3) pieces and one (1) detail will not be considered.

Digital image files must conform to the requirements listed on the CaFÉ site; supply the title, media, and dimensions of your entries. Incomplete entries will not be juried. Professional photography of artworks is encouraged but not required.

## Compensation & Benefits

First place prize of $75,000 over two consecutive years ($37,500 annually); runner up award of $10,000

**Includes:** Prize, Stipend

First place prize of $75,000 over two consecutive years ($37,5000 annually). A runner up award of $10,000 will be given to one additional finalist. Ten (10) finalists participate in a traveling exhibition organized by the Muskegon Museum of Art, and the winner is showcased in a solo exhibition at the close of her grant.

## Timeline

- **Opens:** April 13, 2026
- **Deadline:** September 19, 2026
- **Program Start:** May 20, 2027
- **Program End:** August 22, 2027

## Contact

**Email:** aanderso@muskegonartmuseum.org

**Phone:** 231-720-2583

## How to Apply

Apply at: https://www.thebennettprize.org/about