Rules for the 2026 Competition

INTRODUCTION

The Competition is for recent portraits of Canadian subjects by Canadian artists. A portrait will be interpreted to mean a picture of a specific person. Group portraits and self-portraits are eligible. The portrait must be made by painting or drawing, or a combination of these techniques and must be based on a meeting between the subject and artist. There is no limitation on style, and contemporary and experimental portraits are welcome. The Kingston Prize will be awarded to the best portrait, as chosen by the Jury, with particular attention being paid to mastery of the medium and a sensitive reflection of the interaction between subject and artist. In addition, two Honourable Mentions and one People’s Choice Award will be made. The Jury is comprised of three distinguished arts professionals; their decisions are independent of The Kingston Prize Association. Their findings are final.

ELIGIBILITY OF THE ARTIST

1. The competition for the Kingston Prize is open to Canadian artists, 18 years of age and over on the date of the deadline for entries.
2. For the purposes of this competition, “Canadian” shall, in every instance, be interpreted to mean a person having Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status.
3. Members of the Board of The Kingston Prize Association and the Jury are not eligible.

ELIGIBILITY OF THE PORTRAIT

4. Each artist may enter one portrait.
5. For the purposes of the Competition, “portrait” shall be interpreted to mean a painting or drawing of a specific person or persons. Group portraits and self-portraits are acceptable.
6. To be eligible for the Competition, an entry must meet the following conditions:
   a) It must be a portrait of a specific Canadian person or persons based on a meeting between the subject and artist. Photographs of the subject taken by the artist may be used for reference purpose;
   b) It must be executed in traditional painting or drawing media, including oil, tempura, acrylic, watercolour, ink, graphite, charcoal, on canvas, paper or panel. Works that incorporate non-traditional materials as a primary or dominant component shall not be considered.
   c) It must be produced between September 2, 2025 and September 1, 2026.
   d) The dimensions, including frame (if any), must not exceed 150 centimetres height x 150 centimetres width x 10 centimetres depth. Size limitations will be strictly enforced.
   e) It must be available for showing during the Exhibition. It is the artist’s responsibility to ensure that the original work is available, whether or not they are the owner of the work.

PROCEDURES FOR ENTERING THE COMPETITION

7. All entries must be submitted online. Procedures for entering the Competition are on the website at kingstonprize.ca.
8. The following materials are required for each entry:
   a) a completed entry form;
   b) one high-resolution digital image of the portrait, as a .jpg file, between 1 MB and 4 MB (name the file LastNameFirstName.jpg);
   c) a one-page document (PDF) with the artist’s statement about the portrait, biography and CV (name the file LastNameFirstName.pdf);
   d) the non-refundable entry fee of $40.00.
9. Entries must be received no later than midnight on Tuesday, September 1, 2026 (Eastern Daylight Time).

SELECTION OF FINALISTS

10. From the eligible entries received, the Jury will select thirty (30) portraits to be included as finalists in The Kingston Prize exhibition. The list of finalists will be posted on the website by October, 2026. Finalists will receive detailed instructions concerning the exhibition.
11. The portraits selected by the Jury for exhibition must be physcially received at the event venue in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), within the timeline specified to finalists.
12. The Kingston Prize will cover costs relating to the delivery of the portrait from most major Canadian cities as well as designated sites along the Trans-Canada Highway to the exhibition site. Artists are responsible for the transportation of the painting to designated pickup sites. The artwork must be appropriately packed in a sturdy reusable box suitable for transport to the exhibition site and for the return home. If packing is not re-useable for the return shipping, the new packaging will be at the artist’s expense. Portraits must be suitably equipped with D-rings and wire for hanging and must be clearly identified with the artist’s name on the back. A French cleat will not be accepted.
13. Dimension limitations (150 cm x 150 cm), including the frame (if any), will be strictly enforced.
14. The portrait must be completed at the time the image is submitted for adjudication. Entries which have been changed subsequently will not be accepted into the final exhibition.
15. The Jury will choose the winner of The Kingston Prize and will name two Honourable Mentions after viewing the finalist portraits received. The awards will be made at a public reception. The People’s Choice Prize is awarded by votes from the public.
16. The decision of the Jury is final.

INSURANCE

17. The Organizing Committee will take all due care with the portraits received, but will not be responsible for any loss or damage to artworks, however, caused, while in its custody. Each entrant is responsible for maintaining his/her own insurance coverage

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

18. Entrants shall allow The Kingston Prize Association to use all digital images and other materials provided to The Kingston Prize Association in connection with the Competition, to photograph their works while in its custody, and to reproduce their work by print or electronic means for the purposes of documentation and to archive the exhibition, for use on their websites and other media, and for advertising the Competition, including subsequent catalogues, brochures and posters.
19. Any future revisions to these rules will be posted on the website at kingstonprize.ca.

SIGNIFICANT DATES

20. Following are the revised significant dates for The Kingston Prize. The Organizing Committee reserves the right to make small adjustments to these dates.
    • April 15, 2026 Opening date for submission of entries
    • September 1, 2026 Closing date for submission of entries.
    • October 1, 2026 Announcement of finalists selected for exhibition.
    • October 30 – November 8, 2026 Finalist Exhibition at Arta Gallery; open to the public
    • November 6, 2026 Awards Evening (by invitation only)