Organizer Information
The Associazione Culturale Tapirulan is an Italian non-profit organization founded in 2002 in Cremona. Its primary mission is to promote contemporary art, particularly illustration, through exhibitions, publications, and international competitions. Over the last two decades, Tapirulan has grown into a prestigious hub for the international illustration community, hosting annual contests that culminate in major exhibitions and the production of a celebrated artist calendar and catalog. The association also manages its own exhibition space, "Spazio Tapirulan," and acts as a publisher for the works of emerging and established illustrators.
Title & Description
21st International Illustrators Contest: "FLOP"
The 2025/2026 edition of this world-renowned contest invites artists to interpret the theme "FLOP." While society is often obsessed with success and perfection, this call asks artists to find the irony, beauty, or creative potential in failure, clumsy attempts, and "flops." Participants are challenged to represent this concept through a single, square-format illustration. The purpose of the competition is not only to award financial prizes but to curate a high-quality international exhibition and a prestigious catalog that showcases diverse global perspectives on the chosen theme.
Categories
- Illustration
- Visual Art (Graphic Design, Digital Art, Painting, etc.)
- Execution techniques are free: Artists may use traditional mediums (acrylic, oil, watercolor, etc.) or digital tools.
Eligibility
- International: Open to illustrators and artists from all over the world.
- No Age Limit: However, candidates under 18 years of age require parental or guardian authorization.
- Entry Requirements: Each candidate is allowed to submit only one brand-new work that has not previously won awards or merits in other competitions.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Jury Prize: €3,000 awarded to the overall winner.
- Popular Prize: €500 awarded to the illustrator most voted by users on the Tapirulan website.
- Exhibition: 52 selected works will be displayed in an international exhibition (historically held at venues like the Museo del Violino in Cremona).
- Publication: The 52 selected works will be published in the official exhibition catalog.
- Calendar: 12 selected authors will have their work featured in the Tapirulan Calendar.
- Solo Exhibition: The Jury Prize winner will be invited for a solo exhibition in the following year's edition and will have a personal catalog published.
Application Fee
€15
Application Requirements
- Artwork Format: The illustration must be square.
- Physical works: Minimum 25x25 cm, maximum 40x40 cm (if framed/mounted, thickness must not exceed 3 mm).
- Digital works: 31x31 cm (300 dpi, JPG format, high quality).
- Submission Form: Completed online form including personal info, artwork title, technique used, and an optional brief description of the interpretation of the theme.
- Proof of Payment: Receipt of the entry fee.
How to Apply?
To participate in the competition, authors can choose three different ways:
- Send the illustration by filling out the appropriate form to the following web address:
illustratorscontest.tapirulan.it/iscriviti - Send the work by post together with the completed and signed registration form, and the receipt of payment of the registration fee, to the address:
- Associazione Culturale Tapirulan
- corso XX Settembre 22, 26100 Cremona
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 25 February 2026
Location
Cremona, Italy
Additional Details
The jury for the 21st edition is composed of industry experts and top illustrators. Participants should note that the winning work becomes the property of Associazione Tapirulan. For all other selected artists, the association retains publication rights for the catalog and calendar, but intellectual property remains with the artist. Artists are encouraged to "be dazzled by a wonderful idea for representing a flop," embracing the humor and humanity of the theme.