The Bennett Prize has launched its fifth call for entries, inviting women figurative realist painters to compete for a newly increased grand prize of $75,000. The award, established by collectors Steven Alan Bennett and Dr. Elaine Melotti Schmidt, includes a two-year stipend and a traveling solo exhibition that debuts at the Muskegon Museum of Art. Applications are open through September 19, 2026, with a jury featuring prominent figures like curator Miranda Lash and artist Julie Heffernan.
This initiative addresses the persistent gender disparity in the art world, where women artists remain underrepresented in museum collections and receive lower market prices than their male counterparts. By providing significant financial support and institutional visibility, the prize has become a vital career catalyst; previous finalists have secured hundreds of solo and group exhibitions and widespread gallery representation, reinforcing the prize's role in elevating figurative realism and gender equity in contemporary art.