Organizer Information
The Galerie municipale Jean-Collet is a contemporary art institution located in Vitry-sur-Seine, near Paris. Known for its strong commitment to supporting emerging artistic practices, the gallery plays a key role in promoting contemporary creation, particularly in the field of painting. It operates under the cultural framework of the city of Vitry-sur-Seine, which has long been recognized for its investment in public art, artist support, and cultural programming.
The gallery organizes the annual Novembre à Vitry Prize, now in its 58th edition, which has established itself as an important platform for identifying and supporting young painters on both the French and international scene.
Title & Description
Novembre à Vitry Prize 2026 (58th Edition)
The Novembre à Vitry Prize 2026 is an annual award dedicated to contemporary painting, aimed at showcasing the diversity and vitality of current pictorial practices. Open to artists working in all approaches to painting—from traditional to experimental and expanded forms—the prize offers selected participants the opportunity to present their work in a curated exhibition.
Approximately twenty artworks will be selected by a professional jury composed of artists. These works will be exhibited at the Galerie municipale Jean-Collet from September 26 to December 13, 2026, alongside a parallel exhibition of the previous year’s winners.
The competition emphasizes pluralism in aesthetic approaches and encourages artists to engage with painting in innovative and critical ways. While rooted in painting, the call also allows for expanded or three-dimensional works, provided they maintain a clear connection to pictorial inquiry.
At the conclusion of the exhibition, two laureates will be selected. Their recognition includes the acquisition of their works by the municipality and a future duo exhibition accompanied by a published catalogue, making this prize not only an exhibition opportunity but also a career-development platform.
Categories
- Painting
- Contemporary Art
- Visual Art
- Mixed Media (if related to painting)
Eligibility
- Open to international and French artists
- Applicants must be under 41 years old (born after September 26, 1985)
- Artists must present a practice engaged with painting
- One artwork per applicant
- Maximum artwork size: 200 cm x 200 cm (including frames or polyptychs)
- 3D works are accepted if dimensions and weight are specified in advance
Program Benefits & Awards
- Exhibition of selected works at Galerie municipale Jean-Collet
- €300 artist fee for selected participants (copyright + exhibition participation)
- Insurance coverage of artworks during the exhibition period
- Two laureates selected:
- Artwork acquisition by the city: €5,500 each
- Future duo exhibition curated by an invited curator
- Publication of an exhibition catalogue
- Visibility within a recognized contemporary art context
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Anonymous portfolio (PDF format):
- Max 15 pages
- Max 15 MB
- A4 format
- Portfolio structure:
- Page 1: Image of the submitted artwork + full caption (anonymous)
- Page 2: Artistic statement (max 1600 characters, anonymous)
- Up to 13 additional pages of previous works
- One JPEG image of the submitted artwork
- No personal identification within the portfolio
- Applications must respect all formatting rules (non-compliant files will be rejected)
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 10 May 2026
- Application Limit: First 300 submissions only
- Selection Announcement: End of May 2026
- Artwork Delivery: Early September 2026 (by appointment)
- Exhibition Dates: September 26 – December 13, 2026
- Winners Announcement: September 26, 2026 (opening event)
Location
Vitry-sur-Seine, France
Additional Details
- Artists are responsible for transporting their artworks at their own expense
- Delivery must be scheduled with the gallery registrar
- The city does not cover damages during shipping
- Selected works must remain available for the entire exhibition period
- A condition report will be conducted upon delivery; non-compliant works may be refused
- The exhibition is insured by the city from September 1 to late December 2026
- For artists affiliated with ADAGP, rights management and payments will be handled accordingly