Anthology Cover Art Competition 2026: Global Digital Art and Illustration Entries to 31 October, €500 Prize
Anthology magazine invites visual artists, illustrators, digital creators, photographers, printmakers and mixed-media practitioners worldwide to its 2026 Cover Art Competition. The winning image will appear on the cover of a future Anthology issue, with editorial coverage online and in print, as well as a €500 cash prize. Applications close October 31, 2026. The regular submission fee is €18 per image and is non-refundable.
Who can enter and what may be submitted?
Both established and emerging artists are welcome regardless of nationality or country of residence. There is no fixed competition theme; the magazine seeks art that works in its cover format. Works already displayed in an exhibition or on an artist’s personal site are not automatically excluded, but an image already used on another publication's cover cannot be entered. The terms also prohibit simultaneously entering the same work in another contest.
Artwork formats and important use restrictions
Entries can be JPG, PNG or PDF, up to 4 MB. There are no fixed dimensions, but entrants are told to consider that the published cover may crop their work to approximately 190 × 195 mm. The organizer prefers relatively recent work and prohibits generative-AI-produced entries. One entry consists of one image, with a separate form and €18 fee for every additional work.
Anonymous judging and copyright
Do not place your name on the artwork itself, because judging is anonymous. Participants must be the authors of their submitted work and control any relevant image rights. Artists retain copyright; finalists and the winner give Anthology rights to use the works in promotional print and electronic materials in connection with the awards. Examine these terms carefully if you normally license your imagery to commercial clients.
When is the prize paid?
Unlike a general creative grant, the €500 prize is specifically linked to selection and magazine publication. The rules state that prize money is paid on publication of the winning artwork, so there may be a delay after the competition results are communicated. The prize should not be interpreted as €500 for each finalist or as a payment for every work submitted.
About the organiser
Anthology runs an international lifestyle and creative magazine alongside its annual art, photography and writing awards. Its official cover archive and list of previous competition winners give applicants examples of how artwork is presented in print. This award is separate from the Anthology Photography Competition: the cover contest has a DIFFERENT closing date and different use restrictions.
Official call and application
Anthology magazine: Cover Art Competition 2026 terms: https://anthology-magazine.com/awards/cover-art-competition/
Important: official call controls applications
This edited summary of a third-party call may contain inaccuracies or become outdated. Before applying or paying the non-refundable fee, verify deadline, file dimensions, generative AI restrictions, copyright and usage terms, prize payment and any updated eligibility rules on the official Anthology website. In case of discrepancy, the original conditions take precedence. Information checked October 26, 2026.