Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition 2013

The Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery is accepting entries for its third “Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition”, open to all artists, 18 years of age and older (as of January 1, 2011), who are legal residents of the United States or its territories with an address in the United States at the time of the competition.

Entries will be accepted in all visual arts media, including, but not restricted to: painting, drawing and watercolor, sculpture, weaving, ceramics, photography, prints, video, film, and other digital or time-based media. Works must have been completed after January 1, 2010 and not previously submitted for this competition.

The work entered should be understood as a portrait in the broadest sense, either a traditional, representational work or a more experimental portrait (for example, an entry might not include a face). However it must be based on the artist’s direct contact with any living individual (s). Self-portraits will be accepted.

Each artist may participate with only one entry, which must be submited online until November 30, 2011 (midnight MT(Mountain Time). There's a $35 fee, payable by credit card. All fees are nonrefundable.

The grand prize is $25,000. The winner will also have an opportunity for a commission to create a portrait of a remarkable living American for the National Portrait Gallery’s permanent collection. The artist and the National Portrait Gallery will work together to select the subject of the portrait and the fee for the commission.

The second prize will be $7,500. The third prize will be $5,000. The judges may commend up to four additional works with prizes of $1,000 each. The People’s Choice Award winner will receive $500.

Winners of cash prizes are responsible for all taxes due on such awards.

The Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition 2013 is currently scheduled to be on view at the National Portrait Gallery from March 22, 2013 until January 26, 2014, and may travel at the conclusion of the exhibition.

Before submiting their entries, participants should carefully read the rules and pay attention to the calendar.

First-prize winners in a previous Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition, are not elligible for participation.