Organizer Information
The Catholic Art Institute (CAI) is a U.S.-based, USCCB-endorsed 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring a culture of truth, beauty, and goodness through the arts. Its programs include exhibitions, workshops, retreats, educational events, conferences, and the Sacred Art Prize. The organization supports artists working within the Catholic artistic tradition and provides opportunities for artists to exhibit, promote, and sell their work.
Title & Description
Sacred Art Prize 2026 — Catholic Art Institute
The Sacred Art Prize 2026 is an international juried competition and exhibition seeking contemporary sacred art rooted in Biblical and ecclesiastical subjects and informed by the historical artistic tradition of the Catholic Church. Selected works will be presented in an online exhibition, with finalists also having the opportunity to participate in a live exhibition at The Sacred Art Gallery in Mesa, Arizona, in 2027. The competition emphasizes strong artistic craftsmanship, representational skill, and artwork appropriate for liturgical or devotional use.
Categories
Eligible disciplines include representational painting, illumination, sculpture, printmaking, drawing, liturgical textiles, stained glass, mosaic, altar furnishings, and devotional objects such as medals, monstrances, and vestments. Photography, hyper-realism, computer-generated art, and AI-generated submissions are not accepted.
Eligibility
The competition is open to artists aged 18 and over, including both professional and amateur artists, and artists of any religious background. There is no stated nationality restriction, making the opportunity international in scope. Submitted works must be original, created by the applicant, and produced within the past ten years. Artists may submit a maximum of five works.
Works should address Biblical or ecclesiastical subjects such as the life, Passion, death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ; Biblical stories and figures; saints; the seven sacraments; virtues and vices; corporal and spiritual works of mercy; and icons. Works must be recognizable and suitable for public or private devotion or liturgical use.
Program Benefits & Awards
The Sr. Mary Paula Beierschmitt I.H.M. Grand Prize is $2,500, while the Second Prize is $750 and Third Place is $250. Finalists and selected artists gain international online exposure and the opportunity to showcase and potentially sell their work.
For works selected for the live exhibition, paintings must not exceed 42 inches in height or width, while sculptures must not exceed 100 lbs or 20 inches in height or width.
Application Fee
- CAI members: $35 for 1–3 entries + $10 for each additional entry, up to five.
- Non-members: $50 for 1–3 entries + $15 for each additional entry, up to five.
- Payment is accepted by credit card or PayPal. International applicants experiencing payment difficulties are instructed to contact CAI.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 20 October 2026
- Winners Announced: 20 November 2026
- Sacred Art Gallery Exhibition: February 2027
Location
Online + Mesa, Arizona, United States
Additional Details
Artists may enter works marked NFS (Not for Sale) for the online exhibition, but only works offered for sale are eligible for the live gallery exhibition. For gallery sales, CAI's current prospectus states that artists receive 70% of proceeds, with the gallery retaining a 30% commission. Artists are responsible for shipping, delivery, pickup, and return shipping of physical works, and should insure shipped artwork.
Applicants should also note that the competition specifically excludes works that are merely religious because of their title, mass-produced painted statues, restoration projects, and certain depictions outside the stated theological and artistic criteria.