International Steampunk Art Prize 2026: Free Worldwide Art Call, AUD $2,000 in Prizes

Steampunk Australia is accepting entries for the International Steampunk Art Prize 2026, an open call for original artwork with a meaningful connection to steampunk culture or aesthetics. The competition welcomes digital art, illustration, photography, painting, sculpture, wearable creations, costume, mixed media and imaginative objects. This makes it relevant to digital artists as well as practitioners working in physical media.

Who can enter and eligible media

Artists aged 18 and over may enter from anywhere in the world. There is no application fee, and each person may submit up to three artworks, each through a separate entry. Applicants need to own their work and be prepared to demonstrate its authenticity. Both fully AI-generated art and art made with AI assistance are explicitly prohibited.

Entries and deadline

Entries close November 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. in Sydney, Australia. The official online form asks for identifying and contact details, an artist biography, an artwork title, medium, completion year, description, visual files and an explanation of the work's steampunk connection. Progress images may help establish authorship during verification.

Awards and public voting

The judges' grand prize is AUD $1,500, while the public-vote People's Choice award is AUD $500. One artist can win both, making the advertised total AUD $2,000. The public voting period is scheduled from December 7, 2026 to January 24, 2027, and winners are expected to be announced on February 8, 2027. Finalists may also receive online exhibition exposure.

Copyright and AI restrictions

Entrants retain copyright, although exhibition and publicity permissions are governed by the organiser's terms. Carefully review the rules on original authorship, AI assistance, file requirements and the Sydney-time deadline before submitting. No entry fee or purchase is required.

Official announcement / 主催者公式要項 / 官方公告: https://steampunk.au/competition/