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Event History
For 15 years, the PleinAir Salon Art Competition has awarded over $50,000 annually in cash prizes while promoting artists worldwide. Inspired by the historic French Salon, this competition features 11 monthly cycles culminating in annual winners. It fosters artistic growth through rigorous competition, with the Grand Prize winner’s painting featured on the cover of PleinAir Magazine. Winners in each monthly competition may receive recognition and exposure through PleinAir magazine’s print magazine, e-newsletters, and social media. Winners of each competition will also be entered into the annual competition that is awarded each spring.
What Makes this event different?
We are a completely online competition so there is no mailing your artwork for an exhibition. You are also able to submit paintings whether they have won another competition or not. Each Grand Prize winner receives a check for $15,000 and their artwork will be featured on the cover of PleinAir Magazine, which is the #1 representational art magazine at Barnes & Noble. The winners of each monthly competition are automatically entered into the running for the Annual Competition and that $15,000 check!
Copyright Policy
By entering the PleinAir Salon Online Art Competition, you agree that you are submitting images of your own original artwork and not that of other artists or material in which you do not hold the copyright. The original work does not have to currently be in your possession.
Image Usage Rights
You are also agreeing, in advance, to have your submitted artwork and your image published to any print or digital/electronic property of Streamline Publishing, Inc. This includes, but is not limited to, print and digital magazines, newsletters, websites, e-mails, social media pages, and promotional materials in perpetuity.
Call for Entries - Art Contest for Plein Air Painters
The PleinAir Salon Art Competition is a prestigious monthly online contest that awards over $50,000 in cash prizes annually. Comprised of 11 monthly competitions, the PleinAir Salon culminates in an Annual Competition where the Grand Prize winner receives $15,000 and the honor of having their painting featured on the cover of PleinAir Magazine. This competition not only celebrates exceptional plein air artists but also fosters artistic excellence and growth within the community.
We award $2,250 in each monthly cycle to the 22 winners who will be automatically entered into the Annual Competition, where we will award $26,050. The annual awards will be presented live at the Plein Air Convention & Expo in May 2026.
For more information about this art contest, please visit the Event Website
