The Bennett Prize Announces Fifth Edition with Increased $75,000 Award for Women Figurative Realist Painters
The Bennett Prize is currently open for submissions from women figurative realist painters, with the deadline set for September 19, 2026. This esteemed award provides a total of $75,000, split into $37,500 for each of the two years, aimed at financing a solo exhibition, making it the largest prize of its kind. Additionally, a single finalist will receive $10,000. Established by Steven Alan Bennett and Dr. Elaine Melotti Schmidt at Michigan's Muskegon Museum of Art, the prize aims to assist women artists facing challenges. Amy Werntz was announced as the winner for 2025. A panel will select ten finalists, and since the prize began, there have been 312 group exhibitions and 138 solo shows featuring participants.
Key facts
- The Bennett Prize's fifth call for entries closes on September 19, 2026.
- The grand prize is $75,000, paid over two years to fund a solo exhibition.
- An additional $10,000 award will be given to one finalist.
- The prize is exclusively for women figurative realist painters.
- The 2025 winner is Amy Werntz from Dallas, Texas.
- The Muskegon Museum of Art in Muskegon, Michigan, hosts the touring solo exhibition.
- Co-founders Steven Alan Bennett and Dr. Elaine Melotti Schmidt endowed the prize.
- The jury includes Julie Heffernan, Miranda Lash, Dr. Tiffany E. Barber, and the co-founders.
Entities
Artists
- Chloe Chiasson
- Amy Werntz
- Shiqing Deng
- Ayana Ross
- Aneka Ingold
- Tanmaya Bingham
- Stefanie Jackson
- Mary Henderson
- Julie Heffernan
- Steven Alan Bennett
- Dr. Elaine Melotti Schmidt
- Miranda Lash
- Dr. Tiffany E. Barber
- Carlyla Woofter
Institutions
- The Bennett Prize
- Muskegon Museum of Art
- Montclair State University
- Museum of Contemporary Art Denver
- UCLA
- Lyons Wier Gallery
- The Bennett Collection of Women Realists
- Prospect 6
- University of California at Los Angeles
- Glasstire
Locations
- Dallas
- Texas
- United States
- Muskegon
- Michigan
- New York City
- New York
- Denver
- Colorado
- San Antonio
- Brooklyn
- New Orleans
- Los Angeles
- California