---
title: The 2026 Willet Art Prize - $10,000 Prize Pool
description: National US art prize with $10,000 pool for work on the 'Quest for Gold' theme. Open to painting, sculpture, photography, digital art, glass, and more.
url: https://www.artsume.com/programs/b156720e-852c-4f5f-9645-cccd83de08e8
type: program
status: closed
createdAt: "2026-05-28"
updatedAt: "2026-09-29"
programType: Prize/award
organization: Willet Stained Glass Studios
organizationUrl: https://www.artsume.com/o/willet-stained-glass-studios
deadline: "2026-08-31"
location: Winona, MN, United States
isOnline: false
compensationRange: "$10,000 prize pool: $7,000 first place, $2,000 second place, $1,000 third place"
disciplines:
  - painting
  - sculpture
  - photography
  - digital art
  - mixed media
  - glass
---

# The 2026 Willet Art Prize - $10,000 Prize Pool

**Hosted by:** Willet Stained Glass Studios

**Type:** Prize/award | **Location:** Winona, MN, United States | **Deadline:** August 31, 2026

## About This Program

> "Quest for Gold — athletic excellence and global unity"

National art competition for US artists to create original work inspired by the annual theme 'Quest for Gold' — celebrating athletic excellence and global unity. Open to painters, sculptors, digital artists, photographers, glass artisans, and mixed media artists. $10,000 prize pool: $7,000 first place, $2,000 second place, $1,000 third place. Selection combines a community vote in the initial phase with a final panel of judges including stained glass masters, university professors, museum curators, gallery directors, design experts, and elite athletes/Olympians. Judges are particularly interested in work with strong silhouettes and strategic use of light that could be adapted into architectural art glass.

## Eligibility & Requirements

- **Geographic Eligibility:** National
- **Disciplines:** painting, sculpture, photography, digital art, mixed media, glass
- **Age Requirements:** 18+ years old
- **Note:** Open to US artists aged 18 and older at time of entry. No career stage restriction specified.

### Additional Requirements

Up to 5 entries per artist (1 piece per entry). Maximum file size 50MB per image. Accepted file types: GIF, JPG, MOV, MP3, MP4, PDF, PNG, TIFF. Must include an artist statement articulating your unique interpretation of athletic excellence and global unity. High-resolution documentation that captures movement and emotion is recommended. All applicants must be 18 or older.

## Compensation & Benefits

$10,000 prize pool: $7,000 first place, $2,000 second place, $1,000 third place

**Includes:** Prize

$7,000 for first place, $2,000 for second place, $1,000 for third place. Total prize pool: $10,000.

## Timeline

- **Opens:** May 28, 2026
- **Deadline:** August 31, 2026

## How to Apply