MUSE Illustration Awards 2027: Categories, Fees & Deadline

The MUSE Illustration Awards are an international illustration competition presented by the International Awards Associate (IAA), the organiser of the MUSE Creative and MUSE Design Awards. The 2027 edition has 17 categories, from advertising and editorial to children's books, packaging and character design, and a total of $4,700 in cash prizes. It is open to professional and emerging illustrators worldwide. Entry fees rise at each deadline, and the final deadline is 25 February 2027.

Winners are announced on 16 April 2027.

Key Dates and Fees

| Period | Professional | Emerging | |---|---|---| | Early bird: until 19 November 2026 | $35 | $25 | | Regular: 20 November – 17 December 2026 | $45 | $30 | | Final: 18 December 2026 – 14 January 2027 | $55 | $35 | | Final extension: 15 January – 25 February 2027 | $65 | $40 |

Bundles of five or ten entry credits lower the cost per entry, down to $27.50 for professionals and $17.50 for emerging illustrators. Each category entry uses one credit.

Prizes

MUSE Illustrator of the Year (Professional): $2,000
MUSE Emerging Illustrator: $1,000
Category Winners of the Year: $100 in each of the 17 categories
Platinum, Gold and Silver distinctions for other strong entries

Who Can Enter the MUSE Illustration Awards?

Professional illustrators, emerging illustrators building their portfolios, independent artists, studios, agencies and publishers worldwide. Students can enter the Student Illustration category.

Entry Formats

You can enter a standalone illustration, with supporting images where needed, or a cohesive project or series created as one campaign, publication or collection. The same work can be entered in several relevant categories, each as a separate submission.

Is It Worth Entering?

MUSE is a commercial awards programme with many distinctions, and the fees add up across categories. The cash prizes are modest outside the top two awards. It can be useful for visibility, but compare it with selective annuals such as American Illustration and the Society of Illustrators. If you enter, do so early, as fees rise at each deadline.

Tips for Entering

Choose the category that matches the main purpose of the work. Present series as a clear, unified set, and write short descriptions explaining the brief and your approach.

Choosing Your Category

Each category has a clear purpose, so read the descriptions before you enter. Editorial work interprets news, ideas and culture; publishing covers books, comics and graphic novels; children's illustration is for young audiences across books and education. Commercial work fits advertising, packaging or entertainment. Personal and self-initiated work has its own home in the experimental and personal category. If a piece clearly fits two categories, you can enter both, but each entry is paid separately.

Emerging or Professional?

Choose the emerging rate only if you are at the start of your career and still building your portfolio and professional presence. The official eligibility rules define each level.

Before You Upload

Check the technical requirements carefully: file format, size, colour space and how files should be named or numbered. Keep the original high-resolution files ready, as organisers often ask for them if your work is selected. Submit a few days before the deadline to avoid last-minute problems with uploads or payment.

Things to Consider

Fees rise at every deadline.
Modest cash prizes outside the top awards.
17 categories, including students.
Final deadline: 25 February 2027.

Enter the Awards

Want your illustration judged internationally?

Enter the MUSE Illustration Awards

Categories, fees and the entry form are on the MUSE Illustration Awards website.

Looking for more open calls? Browse all competitions and opportunities on Good Stuff Weekly.

Last verified: November 4, 2026

MUSE Illustration Awards 2027