for people who make.

Opportunities

Illustration Competitions

Open illustration competitions and awards, from picture books, comics and manga to editorial illustration, posters and watercolour, with deadlines, entry fees and prizes checked against each official site. Free and paid, sorted by deadline so the ones closing soonest come first.

23 open now · next deadline 31 Oct 2026

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Questions

Which illustration competitions are free to enter?
Several are free, including picture book awards, manga competitions and poster contests. Use the Entry fee filter to see only free illustration competitions, and read each listing for the rights you give the organiser.
How do illustration competitions help my career?
Winning or being selected puts your work in front of art directors, editors and publishers, who use annuals and award shows to find illustrators. Picture book and comics competitions can lead directly to publication.
Can I enter digital illustrations?
Most competitions accept both digital and traditional work. Some, such as watercolour competitions, are limited to a medium, and some ask for original artwork if you are selected. Check the requirements on each listing.
Can I enter work that was already published?
It depends on the competition. Professional annuals usually ask for published or commissioned work, while many open contests ask for new, unpublished illustrations made for the brief. The listing and the official rules say which.
How often is this list updated?
New illustration competitions are added every week, and every listing shows the date its details were last checked against the official site. Closed competitions move to the bottom of the page.

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