Society of Illustrators 69th Annual Competition 2026

The Society of Illustrators 69th Annual Competition 2026 is an international juried competition for illustrators and animators, with categories spanning advertising, books, editorial, institutional work, surface design, product design, animation and uncommissioned projects. Now in its 69th year, the competition is open to artists worldwide, and the entire submission and judging process is conducted remotely.

Selected works are exhibited at the Museum of Illustration in New York across two exhibitions, with more than 400 works typically selected from thousands of submissions. Accepted entries are also reproduced in full color in the Illustrators Annual Book. Gold and Silver Medals are awarded to the top works in each category.

The competition is open to artists worldwide. Eligible illustrations and animations must have been created or published between October 2025 and October 2026, and works that were entered or accepted into the previous Annual cannot be submitted again. The competition does not accept illustrations that utilize AI at any capacity.

The competition includes both commissioned and self-driven work. Advertising, Book, Institutional and Editorial entries must be commissioned or published work, while Surface Design, Product Design, Animation and Uncommissioned categories can include work that was not commissioned or paid for by a company or agency.

Who Can Enter the Society of Illustrators Competition?

The competition is open to artists worldwide, and both the submission and judging process are conducted remotely. It is primarily aimed at professional illustrators, while the Uncommissioned category also accommodates newcomers and students.

The competition is particularly relevant to:

• Professional illustrators
• Animators
• Editorial illustrators
• Book illustrators
• Advertising illustrators
• Illustration students and newcomers
• Artists with self-initiated or unpublished work

For commissioned categories such as Advertising, Book, Institutional and Editorial, entrants must provide information about the art director and client. The Uncommissioned category is intended for self-generated work, school assignments and other currently unpublished projects.

What Can You Enter?

The 69th Annual includes eight categories covering commissioned illustration, self-driven work and animation.

Advertising

Illustration created to sell or promote a product or service. Examples include magazine and newspaper advertising, television and web advertising, billboards, album covers, posters and point-of-purchase materials.

Book

Illustrations commissioned for use inside or on the covers of hardcover and paperback books, including fiction, nonfiction, children's books, young adult literature and comic books. Self-published books should be entered in the Uncommissioned category.

Institutional

Illustration commissioned by or for an institution, government service or corporation, rather than advertising a specific product. Examples include annual reports, newsletters, transportation materials, stamps, collectibles and work promoting galleries or public organizations.

Editorial

Illustration commissioned by newspapers, magazines, medical or scientific journals and online publications.

Surface Design

Illustration appearing in three-dimensional applications such as carpets, pillows, rugs, wrapping paper, wallpaper, stationery and licensed greeting cards. Murals should also be entered in this category.

Product Design

Illustration appearing on three-dimensional merchandise and products, including clothing, candles, food and beverage labels and other products sold commercially.

Animation

Short films, commercials, documentaries, websites, games, apps, music videos and other animated work. Both commissioned and uncommissioned projects are eligible, and animations must be no longer than 10 minutes. A static thumbnail and a public link, such as Vimeo or YouTube, are required.

Uncommissioned

Self-generated and currently unpublished work, including portfolio samples, school assignments and personal projects. Commissioned but unpublished work created for self-promotion should generally be entered in the category corresponding to the original commission.

Entry Fees

Entry fees depend on the submission format and membership status.

Single Image: $40
Series of five images: $80
Additional images in a series: $5 each
10-image series: $105

For Society of Illustrators members:

Single Image: $20
Series of five images: $50

A Series counts as one entry. The competition also has a SI Giveback Fund, which can cover the cost of one entry per person for artists who need financial assistance. Funding is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis while funds last.

Selected entries are subject to an additional $95 Hanging/Publishing Fee per accepted entry. Society members pay $80. This fee covers exhibition display, reproduction in the book and inclusion in the online gallery. The entrant is also responsible for framing and shipping costs.

What Do Selected Entrants Receive?

The Society of Illustrators awards Gold and Silver Medals to works judged to be the best in each category. Accepted works are also reproduced in full color in the Illustrators Annual Book and exhibited at the Museum of Illustration.

Selected entrants receive:

• Gold Medal
• Silver Medal
• Exhibition at the Museum of Illustration
• Publication in the Illustrators Annual Book
• Full-color reproduction of accepted work
• Inclusion in the Society's online presentation of the competition
• Award and exhibition recognition

The Society states that more than 400 works are selected from thousands of submissions for the two-part exhibition.

Submission Requirements

Entries must be submitted through the Society of Illustrators' online competition system. The competition does not accept PDFs for the 69th Annual.

Entrants should prepare:

• Artwork title
• Illustrator's name
• Medium
• Artwork description
• Art director and client information when applicable
• Contact information
• Digital submission files

File Specifications

Images

• JPEG or GIF
• Between 1 MB and 10 MB
• PDFs are not accepted

Animation

• Static thumbnail image
• Public Vimeo or YouTube link
• Maximum running time: 10 minutes

For a standalone piece, entrants should select Single Image. For multiple images representing one project or cohesive body of work, entrants can select Series.

Important Rules

AI-generated work: Illustrations utilizing AI at any capacity are not eligible for this competition.

Creation date: Illustrations and animations must have been created or published between October 2025 and October 2026.

Previous submissions: Works entered or accepted into the previous Annual cannot be entered again.

Commissioned work: Advertising, Book, Institutional and Editorial entries must be published or commissioned projects and require art director and client information.

Uncommissioned work: Self-generated projects, school assignments and other currently unpublished work belong in the Uncommissioned category.

Multiple categories: Work can be submitted under different categories when applicable, but a separate entry is required for each category.

Accepted work: Accepted entries require a $95 Hanging/Publishing Fee ($80 for members), plus any applicable framing and shipping costs.

When Will Entrants Be Notified?

Accepted works are expected to appear in the competition's In-Show section in early December 2026, and accepted entrants will also receive an email confirmation. Works that are not selected remain in the Completed section, with rejection notifications also sent by email.

The Reception and Award Ceremony is scheduled for Spring 2027.

Things to Consider

Best for: Professional illustrators, editorial artists, book illustrators, advertising illustrators, animators and students or newcomers with eligible uncommissioned work.

The competition covers a broad range of professional illustration practices, from advertising and publishing to editorial, surface design, product design and animation. Its Uncommissioned category also provides a route for self-generated projects, school assignments and currently unpublished portfolio work.

A significant consideration is the cost structure. The initial entry starts at $40 for a single image, while accepted work incurs an additional Hanging/Publishing Fee. Entrants should also account for framing and shipping expenses if their work is accepted for exhibition.

The competition also has a Giveback Fund that can cover one entry for eligible artists who need financial assistance, subject to available funding.

Another important requirement is the AI policy: the Society states that illustrations using AI at any capacity are not eligible.

Before entering, check that your work falls within the October 2025–October 2026 creation/publication period, matches the appropriate category and meets the file requirements.

Enter the Competition

Interested in submitting your work?

Enter the Society of Illustrators 69th Annual Competition

For the complete rules, current fees and submission process, visit the official Society of Illustrators competition page.

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

Last verified: September 23, 2026