EMERGING ARTIST COMPETITION
Calling all emerging artists!
We’re now accepting submissions for the SAVAGE Emerging Artist Competition, an incredible opportunity to win cash prizes and have your work exhibited at a leading Los Angeles gallery in February 2026.
This is your moment to share your vision on a national stage and be seen by leading art collectors, curators, and industry professionals serving on our distinguished jury panel. Panelists will be announced soon! Don’t miss your chance to be part of this celebration of creativity and rising talent.
Named in honor of Augusta Savage, a groundbreaking sculptor, educator, and champion of Black artists, the competition pays tribute to her enduring legacy. In 1939, Savage opened the Salon of Contemporary Negro Art in Harlem, becoming the first Black American woman to establish and operate an art gallery dedicated to Black artists. Her courage created pathways for generations of creatives who followed.
Just as Savage used her platform to uplift emerging voices, the SAVAGE Competition continues her mission, celebrating bold ideas, cultural expression, and the transformative power of art.
Submission Guidelines:
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Open to emerging artists only
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Submit up to three original works that reflect the theme:
The Future is Ours — a celebration of bold visions, unapologetic expression, and the creative force shaping what’s next -
Accepting submissions in the following mediums: painting, drawing, mixed media, and sculpture
(No digital art, photography, video, or performance art at this time) -
Submission deadline: December 14, 2025 at 11:59 PM PST
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Selected artists will have their work exhibited during the Summit and featured in our official program and digital platforms
Who qualifies as an emerging artist?
We welcome submissions from artists who are in the early phase of their careers—those who have not yet had a major solo exhibition at a museum, are not currently represented by a major gallery, and who are still building national visibility.
If selected, your work will be part of a powerful dialogue centered around art, equity, and the future of Black creativity.
WHAT ARTISTS HAVE TO SAY
Kipkemoi
What stood out was how intentional everything at the Black Art Summit felt. Every panel, every conversation and every person in the room enriched and inspired me as an artist.
Penda Diakité
The Black Art Empowerment Summit was such an inspiring experience! The day was filled with motivating conversations that championed Black empowerment in the art world and brought together an incredible community of artists, collectors, gallerists, and professionals across all areas of the art world. If you love art and want to learn more or connect within the community, I highly recommend attending!
Floyd Strickland
The Art Melanated Black Art Empowerment Summit was a valuable experience and great opportunity to connect with fellow artists, collectors and industry professionals. Each panel offered thoughtful and insightful discussions. I'd highly recommend it to artists at any stage in their careers.
Kevin West
Attending the Art Melanated Art Summit in LA was an unforgettable experience. Traveling all the way from Indianapolis, I was blessed to connect with an inspiring community of artists, gallery owners, collectors and curators. The energy, creativity, and conversations opened up unexpected doors - leading to several art sales and an incredible opportunity to show my work on the West coast. It was truly a moment of growth, connection and purpose.
Rugiyatou Ylva Jallow
Attending the summit was an inspiring and enriching experience. As an artist, I gained valuable insights into often-overlooked aspects of the art world-such as art insurance-that had never been part of my previous conversations. The caliber of the panelists and the depth of the discussions were truly impressive, and I look forward to attending this event again.
Calvin Clausell Jr.
The Black Art Empowerment Summit truly is an empowering experience. Combining knowledge with creativity, I left with a greater understanding of the business of art, as well as the inspiration to head straight to my studio and create.
Terms & Conditions for Artist Submissions
By submitting artwork for consideration, you agree to the following terms:
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Originality of Work
All submitted artwork must be the original creation of the artist. Submissions found to be plagiarized, created by another party, or otherwise misrepresented will result in immediate disqualification. -
Eligibility
This competition is open to emerging artists only. Artists should not have had a major solo museum exhibition or be currently represented by a major commercial gallery. -
Age Requirement
Applicants must be 18 years of age or older at the time of submission to be eligible for consideration. -
Accepted Mediums
Eligible mediums include painting, drawing, mixed media, and sculpture. Digital art, video, and performance art are not accepted at this time. -
Submission Limit
Each artist may submit a maximum of three (3) works for consideration. Additional entries will not be reviewed. -
Theme Compliance
All submitted works must respond meaningfully to the Summit theme:
The Future is Ours, a celebration of bold visions, unapologetic expression, and the creative force shaping what’s next. -
Selection Process
All works will be reviewed by a jury of respected art collectors, curators, and professionals. Selected artists will be notified via email by January 4, 2025, and must confirm participation by the deadline stated in the notification. A public announcement of selected artists will take place the week of January 12, 2026. -
Exhibition & Promotion
Selected works will be exhibited at a leading gallery in Los Angeles in Feb 2026. By submitting, artists grant Art Melanated and its affiliates the right to use images of submitted and accepted works for promotional purposes across web, print, and social media (with credit to the artist). -
Artwork Handling & Liability
If selected, artists will be responsible for delivering and retrieving their artwork by the dates provided. Art Melanated will take reasonable precautions to protect all exhibited works, but is not liable for damage, theft, or loss during transit, installation, or exhibition. Artists are encouraged to insure their own works if desired. -
Sales & Commission
Artworks selected for exhibition must be available for purchase. Art Melanated will coordinate directly with the artist regarding pricing and commission terms, which will be agreed upon prior to the exhibition. -
Finality of Decisions
All jury decisions are final. No feedback will be provided on individual submissions. -
Deadline
Submissions must be received by December 14, 2025 at 11:59 PM PST. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered.