Cars Reimagined: The International Fine Art Competition is a curated competition and exhibition celebrating the artistic and cultural power of the automobile. It invites artists, designers, and creative thinkers from around the world to explore and reinterpret the concept of the car — its form, its presence, and its role in our lives. Positioned at the intersection of art, design, and automotive culture, the competition welcomes original perspectives on mobility and the many ways it can be expressed visually.

Selected works will be showcased during the New York International Auto Show, hosted at Agora Gallery—just steps from the event and in the heart of Chelsea, New York’s iconic art district.

The competition encourages participants to view the automobile not only as a functional object but as a symbol of culture, identity, innovation, and emotion.

Cars Reimagined: The International Fine Art Competition is a curated competition and exhibition celebrating the artistic and cultural power of the automobile. It invites artists, designers, and creative thinkers from around the world to explore and reinterpret the concept of the car — its form, its presence, and its role in our lives.

Positioned at the intersection of art, design, and automotive culture, the competition welcomes original perspectives on mobility and the many ways it can be expressed visually.

Selected works will be showcased during the New York International Auto Show, hosted at Agora Gallery—just steps from the event and in the heart of Chelsea, New York’s iconic art district.

The competition encourages participants to view the automobile not only as a functional object but as a symbol of culture, identity, innovation, and emotion.

$45 for 5 images

Guidelines

Eligibility

Open to artists, designers, and creative thinkers aged 18 and above, from any country. All mediums are welcome: from painting and sculpture to digital art, concept design, and new media.

Application

$45 USD per entry (up to 5 artworks). Additional images: $5 each.

Entry Material and Theme

The competition welcomes original interpretations of mobility.

Shipment and Customs

Selected artists are responsible for shipping and customs costs. Insurance is advised.

Awards

Only 20 artists will be selected for Cars Reimagined: The International Fine Art Competition. These 20 artists will exhibit their work and also receive additional recognition through the other awards, which are distributed exclusively among them.

Exhibition Participation

All twenty (20) selected artists will exhibit their work at Agora Gallery in Chelsea, New York.

Featured Articles

Five (5) artists from the selected twenty will be chosen for a special editorial feature on the AGI Fine Art and New York Art Competitions blogs.

Social Media Highlights

From the same selected artists, five (5) artists will receive dedicated posts on AGI Fine Art’s and NYAC’s social media channels.

Honorable Mentions

Ten (10) artists from the selected group will be recognized as Honorable Mentions and featured in social media stories on both platforms.

COMPETITION IS OPEN

$45 for 5 images

If you have any questions, email [email protected].

Competition Calendar

COMPETITION OPENS

November 21, 2025

DEADLINE

January 26, 2027

RESULTS

February 16, 2027

EXHIBITION

TBD

Frequently Asked Questions

Entry Fee

Are entry fees refundable?
Entry fees are non-refundable, except in cases where there has been a double payment or payment error.

Aside from the entry fee for the contest, will there be additional expenses?
If an artist is selected for the collective exhibition award, they are responsible for all shipping charges to and from the exhibition space. Selected artists are responsible for all arrangements and costs connected to shipping to and from the exhibition space and to insure the work while it is in transit.

What methods of payment do you accept?

We accept PayPal and the following credit cards: MasterCard, Visa, Diners, American Express, Discover, JCB, and UnionPay.

Required Material

Are numbered giclée prints accepted for the exhibition?

Giclée prints will only be accepted for digital and photography work.

Can artwork that is not for sale be considered for the competition?

No. All submitted artwork must be available for sale.

How will I know if my entry has been successfully submitted?

You will receive an email confirmation of your entry. If you do not receive confirmation within 24 hours, please contact [email protected].

Is collaborative work accepted?

Collaborative work is accepted as long as collaboration does not exceed two people.

Can I submit AI-generated artworks?

No, all artworks must be original and created by the submitting artist. AI-generated artworks will be disqualified.

Is there a time frame in which the work must have been produced?

There is no time frame in which work was created. But if selected, the artwork must be available during the competition exhibition dates and must be available for sale.

What are the dimensional limitations of the actual artwork?

• 2-Dimensional Work: Each piece can be no larger than 75 × 85 inches (192 × 218 centimetres).

• Diptych, Triptych: A work made up of multiple pieces can be up to 168 inches (427 centimetres) wide, as long as each part is no larger than 75 × 85 inches (192 × 218 centimetres).

• 3-Dimensional Work: The maximum size for a work that is pre-assembled (arrives as one piece) is 72 × 72 × 24 inches (184 × 184 × 61 centimetres). The maximum size for work that is comprised of multiple parts to be assembled in the gallery is 72 × 72 × 36 inches (184 × 184 × 92 centimetres).

Which media are not eligible for the competition?

Video art, film, performance art, jewelry, artificial intelligence-generated art (AI), and crafts are not eligible.

Can I send a digital image of my artwork as an entry?

Yes. All entries, without exception, must be in a digital format with the following specifications:

• Each image must be at least 72 dpi and 200 KB. The shortest side of the image must be at least 338 pixels.

• All entries must be in JPG format.

• Each image should not exceed 5 MB and should be smaller than 7500 × 7500 pixels.

How do I get a digital image of my artwork?

You can use professional photographs, or you can take digital photographs yourself. You may also scan work directly or from a photograph using a flatbed scanner.

How important is the quality of the artwork photograph I send?

Image quality is very important. This is the only exposure to your work jurors will have, and a poor representation (such as a blurred image, or one affected by glare, dim lighting, or unnecessary background objects) may reduce your chances of being selected.

Is it acceptable to submit images of several artworks or should I submit multiple views of the same artwork?

You decide what you want to submit, either images of several pieces or multiple views of the same piece, both options are acceptable.

Should a watermark or copyright information be added to the artwork?

No, all images must be clear of any copyright information so the identity of all artists remains anonymous. In the interest of fairness, judges will not see the names of the artists. Any images that do contain artists’ names or any other watermark/copyright information will be disqualified.

Should I include a résumé and a statement with the entry?

No. To give everyone an equal chance, the competition is judged solely on the basis of the work itself. If you are selected, a biography/resume and statement will then be needed for the exhibition to be published on the Agora Gallery website.

Sales / Commissions / Copyrights

Do the sponsors have a right to use my artwork image? Will they be used in any other way?

All participants must understand that any artwork image submitted to the competition will be used by us for promotional purposes only. Due credit will be given to the artists.

If the artwork doesn’t sell, will it be returned to the artist?

Yes. The artwork is the property of the artist and will be returned at the end of the exhibition if not sold. The artist is responsible for paying for the return shipping of each piece.

What is the commission structure on the work sold?

The exhibition space incorporates a 60/40 commission structure: the artist receives 60% of the list/retail price, and the exhibition space receives 40% of the list/retail price.

When can I expect payment for artwork sold during the competition exhibition?

You will be paid within 3 weeks after the organization receives full payment for the sold artwork.

Shipping/Insurance & Framing

Am I responsible for shipping and customs?

All shipping and customs arrangements and costs are the responsibility of the selected artists. In addition, it is highly recommended that all work is insured while it is being shipped.

How many monitors are available to artists who cannot afford to ship the original artwork?

Three monitors will be available to artists who cannot send work to the exhibition space. Each monitor may present up to five images of the artist’s work. Monitors will be provided on a first-come/first-serve basis. Selected artists must inform us as soon as they receive the results.

If I am selected for the exhibition, do I need to frame or stretch my artwork?

If you are selected, your work must be framed or stretched. You are responsible for the cost if work arrives at the exhibition space unframed/unstretched. Framed work must be framed in a similar manner; frames do not have to be identical, but they must be very similar.

Keep in mind that works are usually displayed next to one another, and using different types of frames will distract the viewers. It is your responsibility to make sure that your artwork is adequately wired and ready to hang.

COMPETITION IS OPEN

$45 for 5 images

Testimonials

I am so happy and lucky to get the Metropolitan Melodies prize. This prize gave me confidence, a chance to travel to New York, and an opportunity to show my artwork... Seeing visitors' reactions felt like a dream, proving art crosses any language. This experience inspired me to create new artwork based on New York. Lastly, I really appreciate the Agora staff. Their kind support made this one of the greatest moments of my life!

Shinichiro Wakita​, Tokyo, 2024 Metropolitan Melodies Selected Artist

I'm really happy to have received a nomination as one of the participants in the Metropolitan Melodies competition. Being chosen from so many international submissions fills me with pride and reassures me that I'm on the right path with my chosen painting style, focusing on highly detailed photorealism/hyperrealism. I love what I do, and being among the winners of the competition gives me the motivation to keep working on my painting skills. Plus, it boosts my resume.


Ralf Kunstmann, Germany,
2024 Metropolitan Melodies Selected Artist

It was an honor to be selected as one of the artists for the Metropolitan Melodies exhibition. The competition's theme inspired me to explore and celebrate the beauty of the cities I’ve visited and lived in. NY Art Competitions provides an excellent platform for artists worldwide to share their work with a broader audience. I’m grateful for this opportunity to connect with fellow creatives and art enthusiasts.

Rachel Halili Aquino​, Philippines, 2024 Metropolitan Melodies Selected Artist

My experience with Agora gallery and the CIPC has been solid from start to finish. Forthright, proactive, professional, helpful, communication throughout. The exhibition itself was well put together and looked great at every level. Thanks for everything!

Bradly Dever Treadaway​, United States, 2021/2022 Selected Artist

Jury Panel

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Partners

The New York Art Competitions is grateful to its partners and sponsors for their support and collaboration.

They include AGI Fine Art, which provides exhibition opportunities and career guidance; White Space Chelsea, a versatile and dynamic event venue in the heart of Chelsea; and Agora Gallery, a contemporary art space in Chelsea.

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New York, NY, 10001

[email protected]

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