Rules
1. INTRODUCTION
TARTGET PAINTING PRIZE is a private initiative born to propel contemporary painting through the lens of excellence, authentic visibility, and international resonance. Its inaugural edition gathered nearly two thousand works from 85 nations, confirming the existence of a global sanctuary for art created with rigor, ambition, and truth. TARTGET is more than a mere competition; it is a living cultural platform designed to weave connections between creators, the public, collectors, galleries, and institutions.
The project is built upon three fundamental pillars: interaction, dynamism, and global reach. Beyond the competition itself, the organization develops exhibitions, outreach initiatives, collaborations with art schools, educational programs, and residencies, working actively to foster the momentum and professional projection of participating artists.
The vocation of TARTGET PAINTING PRIZE is to serve as an international window open to every pictorial language, technique, and trajectory. Young talents, emerging voices, professionals, and established masters find here a space of high visibility to unveil their work, undergo rigorous evaluation, and define their position within the art market. The works are analyzed by a world-class international jury—comprised of leading artists, curators, and experts—and enter the radar of prestigious collectors and cultural agents.
The following pages detail the requirements for participating in this second edition of the international contest. Through the official website, artists can easily create their profile and register their works, attaching up to three JPG images per entry. The financial conditions for participation are detailed in the rules, featuring reduced rates for the “Young Artist” category.
The registration period will remain open until the date specified in the official calendar. Once this period concludes, the international jury will select the finalist works. From among these, a curated selection will star in the final exhibition at the Ateneo de Madrid, one of Europe’s most emblematic cultural landmarks. There, a physical jury will bestow the competition’s primary awards during a public gala. Selected works will be exhibited before thousands of visitors and professionals, consolidating an exhibition experience of the highest caliber.
One of TARTGET’s greatest values is the visibility offered by Madrid, one of the art capitals of the world. The final exhibition is located in the heart of the Paisaje de la Luz (Landscape of Light), just steps away from the Prado Museum, in an environment that hosts some of the most important art galleries on the planet. The works will be presented in advance to collectors, sponsors, and cultural agents, with the option for acquisition.
Added to this is an exceptional prize structure, with €90,000 in awards, including main prizes, technical categories, special awards, acquisitions, educational grants, art materials, and promotional actions. This endowment places TARTGET PAINTING PRIZE among the most significant painting competitions on the international stage.
The awards ceremony will be attended by prominent figures from the worlds of art, culture, communication, and institutions, supported by extensive media coverage. It is a unique opportunity to showcase your work, expand your network, and take a decisive step in your career.
The contest begins now.
Welcome to TARTGET PAINTING PRIZE 2026.
2. PARTICIPANTS
ART. 1.- The competition is open to painters from every corner of the globe.
ART. 2.- There is no limit to the number of works an artist may submit. It should be noted that each entry constitutes an independent registration, subject to the corresponding financial obligations.
ART. 3.- Each participant must register via the official website, www.tartgetpaintingprize.com. Once registered, artists may enter each work through an individual form (even at different times) or submit multiple works simultaneously. In either case, the progressive discounts for registering a second, third, or additional works will be duly applied.
ART. 4.- An artist may be granted multiple awards, whether for a single masterpiece or for different works within their submission.
ART. 5.- In the case of artists under the age of 18, a letter of authorization signed by their legal guardians must be submitted to the following email address: info@tartgetpaintingprize.com.
ART. 6.- Participating artists may select the specific acquisition (purchase) prizes for which they wish to compete. By entering the contest, the artist accepts these rules in their entirety. For all major prizes, the winning work shall become the property of the organization or the respective sponsor. In exchange, the winning painter will receive the cash endowment assigned to said prize. Should you wish to compete only for specific major prizes—perhaps because you deem the value of your work to exceed certain award amounts—you may specify your preferences by selecting the desired major prizes at the moment of registration.
ART. 7.- All works shall compete under equal conditions, regardless of style or the category in which they are registered. They will be evaluated by distinct juries composed of experts within each specific field.
3. CATEGORIES FOR PARTICIPATION
ART. 8.- Every participating work must be registered under one of the following categories:
MAIN CATEGORIES:
- Urban and Industrial Landscape
- Natural and outdoor landscape
- Animals and Wildlife
- Still Life and Everyday Objects
- Figure and Portrait
- Fantasy and Imaginative
- Young Artist
TECHNICAL CATEGORIES: 8. Drawing / Illustration 9. Watercolor
FUSION CATEGORIES: 10. Conceptual and Collage 11. Abstraction
ART. 9.- A single work may be registered in multiple categories independently, provided it meets the required characteristics. This allows for greater possibilities of being awarded. For instance, a single piece may compete simultaneously in the “Young Artist” and “Urban Landscape” categories.
ART. 10.- Works created by painters under the age of 25 at the close of the registration period (May 31, 2026)—that is, those born on or after May 31, 2001—may enter the “Young Artist” category.
This award is specifically designed to nurture and support emerging talents.
The organization reserves the right to request an official document from artists registered in this category to verify their age and ensure compliance with these requirements. Failure to provide such documentation within a maximum period of fifteen days may result in disqualification.
4. REQUIEREMENTS FOR THE WORKS
ART. 11.- Works must be original creations, produced entirely by the artist, and completed within the last three years. Submitted pieces must not have received awards in any other competitions.
ART. 12.- Both theme and technique are unrestricted, granting the artist full creative freedom.
ART. 13.- TARTGET embraces a vast spectrum of artistic expression. We welcome works aligned with Hyperrealism, Photorealism, Contemporary Realism, Imaginative Realism, Fantastic Realism, Surrealism, Impressionism, Expressionism, Plein Air painting, Abstraction, and any other form of representational or contemporary art. To ensure every discipline receives its due recognition, the organization has established distinct pathways toward the awards, which must be observed during registration:
DISTINCTIONS:
- MAIN CATEGORIES: These encompass six distinct themes, plus the “Young Artist” category. Entries here compete for the GOLD, SILVER, and BRONZE TARTGET, the BEST OF CATEGORY award, any acquisition prizes, and awards involving fine art materials, promotion, or education.
- FUSION CATEGORIES: This group gathers abstract, conceptual, and collage works. Entries here compete for the FUSION TARTGET, the BEST OF CATEGORY award, acquisition prizes, and awards for materials, promotion, or education.
- TECHNICAL CATEGORIES: These feature two exclusive—but not mutually exclusive—awards: the DRAWING TARTGET and the WATERCOLOR TARTGET. For example, while only a watercolor can opt for the Watercolor TARTGET, that same work may also aspire to the GOLD, SILVER, and BRONZE (or FUSION TARTGET, if it is an abstract watercolor).
- Example: You may submit a landscape in watercolor for the WATERCOLOR TARTGET (€50). By also selecting the “Natural and outdoor landscape” tab (additional €35), your work will simultaneously compete for the Watercolor prize and the GOLD, SILVER, and BRONZE TARTGET. In both instances, it remains eligible for acquisition prizes and awards for materials, promotion, or education.
Figurative, realistic, hyperrealistic, surrealistic, impressionistic, or expressionistic works may be registered in categories 1 through 9. Abstract works must only be registered under “Abstraction,” while conceptual works and collages must only be registered under “Conceptual and Collage,” ensuring they are evaluated by a specialized jury expert in those specific languages.
ART. 14.- Painters under the age of 25 opting for the “Young Artist” category may present works of any theme or style listed in Article 8.
ART. 15.- Please register your work in the category you feel is most representative. If in doubt, contact the organization at info@tartgetpaintingprize.com.
ART. 16.- Works created within a classroom, masterclass, or under the direct supervision of an instructor will not be admitted.
ART. 17.- We accept works on surfaces such as canvas, linen, cardboard, paper, copper, wood, or any other medium suitable for exhibition.
ART. 18.- All pictorial techniques are welcome, including oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, graphite, colored pencils, ink, charcoal, gouache, tempera, printmaking, graffiti, other traditional media, mixed media, or collage.
ART. 19.- Photography, digital art, digital painting, prints on canvas manipulated with paint, digitally altered works, giclées, or any other form of reproduction are strictly prohibited. This includes painted-over photos or prints. Any work incurring these irregularities will be disqualified, forfeiting all rights to prizes.
ART. 20.- Minimum dimensions are set at 40×40 cm. Sides shorter than 40 cm are accepted provided the sum of width and height is at least 80 cm. Maximum dimensions are 180×180 cm; larger sides are permitted if the sum of width and height does not exceed 360 cm. Finalists selected for the physical exhibition must present their work unframed or with a simple strip frame. Works protected by glass will not be accepted; methacrylate (acrylic glass) must be used whenever protection is necessary.
ART. 21.- To be eligible for the GOLD, SILVER, and BRONZE TARTGET, the FUSION TARTGET, the WATERCOLOR TARTGET, the DRAWING TARTGET, and any cash acquisition prizes, works must be available for purchase by the organization or the prize sponsor. Availability for acquisition is not required for other awards.
ART. 22.- It is recommended that all finalist works selected for the exhibition in Madrid be available for shipping, although this is not a mandatory condition for receiving awards.
For any additional information or inquiries, please feel free to reach out to us at info@tartgetpaintingprize.com.
5. PRIZES
ART. 23.- The TARTGET PAINTING PRIZE competition offers financial support to artists and a distinguished opportunity to highlight their creative vision. We promote living creators; our objective is to grant visibility to their works, opening doors to new markets, collectors, media outlets, and social networks.
All payments issued by the Organization shall be subject to the fiscal regulations imposed by Spanish Law, applying the corresponding withholdings (prizes include VAT and are subject to a 19% personal income tax [IRPF] withholding) where applicable.
ART. 24.- TARTGET PAINTING PRIZE has established from the outset an extensive catalog of awards, positioning it as one of the preeminent competitions on the global stage. Nevertheless, the organization works tirelessly with new sponsors; thus, it is highly probable that this catalog will expand during the registration period. Should this occur, updates will be shared via our website and social media channels.
It is important to emphasize that a single work may achieve multiple awards, and a single painter may garner different prizes with various submitted works.
ART. 25.- All prizes outlined in these rules are open to any participating work, with specific exceptions: works registered under categories 10 (Conceptual-Collage) and 11 (Abstraction) are not eligible for the three primary awards (Gold TARTGET, Silver TARTGET, and Bronze TARTGET). For these specific styles and techniques, an exclusive accolade has been created: the Fusion TARTGET. Similarly, only artists under the age of 25 may opt for the Young Artist Prize.
Regarding works participating in the technical categories of Watercolor and Drawing/Illustration, they are eligible for the Watercolor TARTGET or Drawing TARTGET respectively; to compete for the Gold, Silver, and Bronze TARTGET, they must additionally include their work in one of the categories (1 to 6) listed in Article 8.
Example: If you wish for your watercolor landscape to compete for the three main prizes, you must select the “Natural and outdoor landscape” box; if you also wish to aspire to the technical award, you must also select the “Watercolor TARTGET” box.
The jury’s decision will be based strictly on the quality, technique, and originality of the work. All winners and honorable mentions will receive a certificate of award suitable for framing.
For the three main prizes, the Fusion TARTGET, the Drawing TARTGET, and the Watercolor TARTGET, the winning piece shall become the property of the organization or the sponsor. In return, the winning painter receives the cash amount assigned to each prize.
Should you wish to compete only for certain main prizes—if you consider the value of your work to exceed the award amount—you may specify this by selecting your preferred main prizes at the time of registration. Please consider that winning one of the main awards will position you within the international scene and offer immense visibility and opportunity; therefore, participation in all available main prizes is highly encouraged.
ART. 26.- All prizes in this catalog include the promotion of the winners on the official social media accounts of each sponsor, as well as those of TARTGET PAINTING PRIZE. Many of our sponsors boast communities of hundreds of thousands of followers; thus, the winning painter will gain, beyond the prize itself, a vast reach and visibility that adds significant value to the achievement.
ART. 27.- Winning, finalist, and accepted works for the collective exhibition will be promoted and showcased on our website. Furthermore, as part of our permanent collection, the winners will remain on display indefinitely on the web.
6. REGISTRATION
ART. 28.- Applications must be submitted no later than MAY 31, 2026, exclusively through the official website: www.tartgetpaintingprize.com. The organization may establish a pre-registration date or “pre-deadline” to encourage participation with specific benefits, which will be publicly communicated.
ART. 29.- It is mandatory to complete the registration form with the requested data on our website.
ART. 30.- IMAGE SPECIFICATIONS: Up to three photographs may be submitted for each entry, but at least one must show the entire work. Images must be in JPG format and sized between 1MB and 5MB. To ensure a fair evaluation by the jury, photographs must be of acceptable quality. For social media promotion purposes, we recommend that one image includes the artist alongside the work.
ART. 31.- During the registration process, participants must indicate if the work is eligible for acquisition prizes and specify which ones. Acquisition prizes of €4,000, €3,000, and €1,000 have been established. During the competition, the organization may introduce new acquisition prizes with endowments between €1,000 and €4,000. Winning works of these prizes shall become the property of the organization or the respective sponsor.
7. REGISTRATION FEES
TARTGET PAINTING PRIZE is one of the most highly valued international competitions—a prestige measured by the substantial amount in cash prizes, materials, training, and promotion. To these quantifiable conditions, we add the professionalism and experience of the organizing team and a globally recognized jury staff. Participation in this contest is undoubtedly a great investment; it is an excellent opportunity to grow, evolve in the field of painting, and gain exposure within the artistic community. The TARTGET Prize environment is composed of collectors, gallery owners, and leading figures in the creative landscape.
ART. 32.- Each artist may submit as many works as they wish. Furthermore, the same work may be entered into different categories, provided it meets the required characteristics (for example, a landscape that includes people could be entered in the “Figure and Portrait” category or the “Natural Landscape” category).
The registration fees are as follows: a) Cost for the first work: €50 b) Cost for the second work: €35 c) Entry of the same work in one or more categories: €35 per additional category. d) In the Young Artist category, the cost for the first work is €35, and €20 for subsequent works within the same category.
ART. 33.- Upon submitting the registration form, images, and payment via PayPal or Stripe, you will receive a confirmation email. Please ensure your details are correct. If you do not receive it, contact info@tartgetpaintingprize.com. Note: The confirmation email may arrive in your junk or spam folder. Please check this before contacting us.
ART. 34.- Should there be an error in your data after submitting the form, we will proceed to correct it if you send us an email specifying the errors to be rectified.
ART. 35.- Registration fees are non-refundable. No refunds will be issued after registration or for works not accepted for the competition or disqualified. The registration fee is used to cover administrative costs, exhibition expenses, promotion on social media and other platforms, and the setup and distribution of prizes.
8. JURY AND SELECTION PROCEDURE
ART. 36.- To select the finalist works in each category, the organization has assembled a staff of prestigious international painters, renowned curators, and experts in the art world and collecting. This professional staff will form the Virtual Jury. Their task is to evaluate the submitted works through the provided photographs to select 500 finalist paintings, a significant portion of which will be chosen for the physical exhibition in Madrid. In the event that a category does not receive enough entries or they lack sufficient quality, the jury may select more works from categories with higher participation to reach the 500 finalists. The composition of the Virtual Jury is available in the “Juries” section of our website. We emphasize the obligation to send high-quality photographs that are faithful to the work to ensure participation under equal conditions.
ART. 37.- Another staff of prestigious jurors and members of the organization will form the Physical Jury. This jury will be divided into two groups: one to evaluate and grant the 3 absolute prizes and the 2 technical category prizes (Watercolor and Drawing), and another group to grant the Fusion TARTGET prize. Each group will consist of at least 5 people of recognized prestige. They will evaluate the works selected for the final exhibition and determine the winners of the various cash prizes, “Best in Category” awards, the Young Artist award, and Honorable Mentions. Finalist works chosen for the exhibition whose authors decline to send them to Madrid for the physical show will forfeit their eligibility for the three main prizes and the acquisition prizes.
ART. 38.- For the selection of winners in the training, art materials, and artistic promotion groups, a specific jury will be formed for each prize, composed of a member of the organization, a member of the physical jury, and a representative from the sponsoring company.
ART. 39.- Participants who win any of the top three prizes or the Fusion TARTGET will not be eligible for the €500 “Best in Category” prizes or the acquisition prizes, but they will remain eligible for art materials, residencies, and promotion awards.
ART. 40.- Winners of each category may also opt for the rest of the prizes regarding art materials, residencies, and promotion.
ART. 41.- Following the submission deadline, the Virtual Jury will meet to select the Finalist works. Their decision is final and binding.
ART. 42.- Between June 20 and June 25, 2026, you will receive an email with the Virtual Jury’s results. This email will indicate if your work has been selected as a finalist and if it has also been chosen for the final exhibition in Madrid. In such a case, instructions for the physical shipment, packaging types, and final awarding process conditions will be provided.
ART. 43.- Only artists selected for the physical exhibition shall proceed with the physical shipment of the work.
9. SHIPPING OF SELECTED ARTWORKS
ART. 44.- The period for shipping the works shall be between June 25 and July 25, 2026, inclusive. Works being sent from outside the European Union will be granted an extension until August 10. This deadline is final. The shipping address will be announced in due course.
ART. 45.- All costs derived from the shipment and transport of the work, as well as its subsequent return, shall be borne solely by the artist. The organization will not contribute to any of these expenses.
ART. 46.- The procurement of transport insurance is voluntary for each artist and entirely at their own expense. Under no circumstances shall the organization be held responsible for loss, breakage, damage, or theft of the submitted work. This rule admits no exceptions.
ART. 47.- Shipping unstretched and rolled canvases is permitted, provided the disassembled stretcher bars are included in the tube or package. a) Artists wishing to send their work unstretched must notify the organization via email. b) The artist must sign an authorization allowing the organization to mount and stretch the work upon receipt and unstretch it at the end of the exhibition. This document will be provided by the organization. c) Although these tasks will be performed by professionals, the organization declines all responsibility for any damage that may occur during the stretching or unstretching process. d) It is mandatory for the artist to provide the work’s stretcher bars.
ART. 48.- If shipping from outside the European Customs Union, please ensure you are informed of the customs procedures required by your country of origin. For your convenience, consider the value attributed to your work for customs tax purposes. Your package must be sent under the DDP (Delivery Duty Paid) regime. The Organization will not be responsible for any customs payments.
ART. 49.- The organizing entity and the “Ateneo de Madrid” will ensure the care of the received works but decline all responsibility for loss, damage, or theft, as well as any incident occurring during transport, reception, mounting, dismantling, custody, return, or exhibition. Any necessary repairs shall be the artist’s responsibility. The Ateneo de Madrid is protected by a security alarm system.
ART. 50.- Painters wishing to secure insurance must do so on their own account.
10. RESULTS
ART. 51.- Once received, works will undergo several verification phases to ensure compliance with all requirements established in these rules.
ART. 52.- The Physical Jury will meet in Madrid (or a location designated by the organization) between September 1 and September 8, 2026, to deliberate and decide the awards.
ART. 53.- The Physical Jury’s decision will be announced before September 12, 2026, and shall be final and binding.
11. EXHIBITION AND AWARD CEREMONY
ART. 54.- The physical exhibition will open on September 18, 2026, and will remain open until September 25, 2026, at which point works will be packed for return at the artist’s expense.
ART. 55.- The exhibition will be held at the prestigious Ateneo de Madrid, the most significant private cultural, scientific, and artistic institution in contemporary Spanish history.
ART. 56.- The organization is responsible for mounting the physical exhibition at no additional cost to the artist, except for shipping and insurance. The organization will also cover all costs for promotion, management, and the hosting of the opening ceremony and awards event.
ART. 57.- Works may be collected until October 30, 2026. Any works not collected within the agreed period will become part of the TARTGET PAINTING PRIZE collection, implying the author waives all rights to the work in favor of the organization, which may dispose of them freely.
12. LEGAL NATURE OF THE INIATIVE
ART. 58.- Participation in this project does not establish any contractual, labor, or civil service relationship between the artists and the promoting institution.
ART. 59.- Participation implies full acceptance of these regulations and the criteria of the organizers. The organization reserves the right to take initiatives not reflected in these rules, provided they benefit the competition.
ART. 60.- The organization may cancel the competition if there is an insufficient number of registrations, in which case fees will be refunded. The organization reserves the right to introduce new articles to these rules during the contest to regulate unforeseen aspects.
ART. 61.- The artist retains copyright over the images of the participating works. However, entry into this competition implies the granting of image rights and authorization for TARTGET PAINTING PRIZE to use these images for advertising, social media promotion, art magazines, or any other media, including future event promotions.
ART. 62.- By entering, the artist agrees to subscribe to the monthly newsletter used for updates on this and future events. Personal information will not be shared with third parties.
ART. 63.- Rules and prizes may vary from their publication until the awards ceremony due to new sponsorships or registration volume. Prizes may be added or increased, but never removed.
ART. 64.- Registration and payment of the non-refundable fee constitute an agreement to all established conditions.
ART. 65.- By registering your work, you certify that it is an original artwork created exclusively by you, that you have read and accepted these terms, and that you are over 18 years of age (or have explicit parental/guardian permission). By registering, each participant certifies that they have read, understood, and accepted all the clauses and rules of the competition.
13. DATA PROTECTION
ART. 66.- Applicants are hereby informed that the personal data collected will be incorporated into the databases of TARTGET PAINTING PRIZE, the entity responsible for its processing and storage. This data will be handled for the purpose of managing the participation request, as well as providing information regarding the progress of the competition in this and future editions, in accordance with the provisions established in these rules.
ART. 67.- The completion of all requested data is mandatory; failure to do so will result in the inability to process the application for participation.
ART. 68.- In relation to the personal data accessed under these rules, TARTGET PAINTING PRIZE undertakes to comply with the provisions of European Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) and the Spanish Organic Law 3/2018, of December 5, on the Protection of Personal Data and Guarantee of Digital Rights, as well as any other current applicable regulations.
ART. 69.- Participants may, at any time, exercise their rights of access, rectification, erasure, restriction, objection, and portability by contacting the email address info@tartgetpaintingprize.com, specifying their request. The participant guarantees the authenticity of all data provided and commits to keeping it updated throughout the duration of this call for entries, remaining responsible for any damages or losses caused by providing incomplete, inaccurate, or false information.
ART. 70.- By participating, the artist accepts that their data may be shared with the collaborating entities and sponsors mentioned in these rules for the sole purpose of assigning and managing the various competition prizes.