The CREA OPEN International Art Prize is a major artistic initiative curated by CREA Cantieri del Contemporaneo, a vibrant cultural hub located on the island of Giudecca in Venice.
This competition was created to discover, promote, and connect both emerging and established talents from the global visual arts scene.
One of the most important art contest in Italy with more than 8000 subscribers during the first two editions.
The exhibition space is located inside a fascinating former artisan shipyard from the late 1800s, blending Venetian industrial archaeology with the most radical trends in contemporary art.
Success of the recent editions
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2025 Edition ("2570 Revolutions Around the Earth"): This edition achieved extraordinary global success, receiving submissions from 4,013 artists across 105 countries. The final group exhibition, held in April at CREA's striking Spazio Legno & Legno, showcased the works of the 39 selected finalist artists.
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2026 Edition ("Connecting Tissue"): receiving submissions from 4,024 artists across 108 countries. The exhibition featuring the 24 finalists of this edition took place in April 2026. It offered a multidisciplinary narrative focused on the connections and languages of contemporary art.
Rules and opportunities for artists
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Completely free: Unlike many other international competitions, submitting artwork and participating in the open call is completely free of charge.
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Accepted mediums: The prize welcomes artworks created through multiple mediums, including painting, sculpture, photography, video art, performance, installations, textile art, and new media.
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The grand prize: In addition to the international visibility gained from the group exhibition in Venice, the overall winner receives the opportunity to host a solo exhibition the following year at the CREA spaces.
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The jury: Submissions are evaluated by an international jury of experts, curators, and art critics (which historically include figures like Pier Paolo Scelsi and Hans Joachim Petersen).