METROPOLITAN MELODIES

Experience the vibrant city life through art

The Metropolitan Melodies competition is all about capturing the rhythm, energy, and personality of city life.

The theme invites creative takes on city life using any medium—painting, photography, mixed media, sculpture, digital art, and more.

Artists at any career stage are welcome to share their perspectives on urban landscapes, street scenes, and cityscapes. For just $35 for three images, you can showcase your talent and potentially earn career-boosting awards.

Selected works will be featured in the AGI Fine Art exhibition, digital exhibition, blog feature, social media exposure, and more.

Showcase your vision of city life!

Competition Awards

One Selected Artist
will receive 6 feet of linear wall space at the AGI Fine Art exhibition.

Three Chosen Artists

will showcase their work on AGI’s digital monitor during the exhibition.

Three Selected Artists

will be highlighted in a feature article on the AGI Fine Art blog.

Three Selected Artists
will receive dedicated posts across AGI Fine Art’s social media platforms.

Ten Artists

will be selected as honorable mentions and featured in social media stories.

METROPOLITAN MELODIES

Competition Dates

COMPETITION OPEN

May 16, 2025

DEADLINE

August 5, 2025

RESULTS

August 26, 2025

Competition Guidelines

Eligibility

All artists aged 18 and above are encouraged to enter, whether you are a seasoned professional or an emerging talent.

Application

Application in the “Metropolitan Melodies” competition requires a $35 fee, which covers for up to 3 images.

Entry Material

Required: Each artist must enter up to three (3) artworks on any topic that aligns with the theme of urban and city life. All entries must be in high quality digital format (JPEG or PNG).

Additional Entry

The maximum number of images is 3 per entry, but you can add more for around $5 per additional image.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many artworks can be submitted per entry?

Each entry allows an artist to submit up to three (3) artworks. If you wish to submit more than three, there is an additional fee of $5 for each extra image.

Can I submit AI-generated artworks?

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

Is there an age limit to participate in the competition?

Yes, all applicants must be 18 years old and above to participate.

Are there any restrictions on the subject matter of the submissions?

No, there are no restrictions on the subject matter. Artists are encouraged to explore diverse urban themes that align with the competition's theme of "Metropolitan Melodies." However, all submitted artworks must be available for sale.

What are the categories for submission in this competition?

There are nine categories for submission: City Skylines, Street Scenes, Urban Landscapes, Cityscapes, Residential Neighborhoods, Historic Districts, Marketplace, Industrial Areas, and Transit Hubs. Artists can choose to submit their work in any of these categories as long as it aligns with the theme of "Metropolitan Melodies."

If selected, can I get all the awards or just one?

You are only entitled to one award in the competition if selected. For example, if you are selected for the monitor display, you will not receive the social media exposure or honorable mentions.

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

Show the world how you see the city!

Application fee: $35 for 3 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

Our Partners

The Chelsea International Photography Competition is grateful to its partners and sponsors for their support and collaboration.

They include AGI Fine Art, which provides exhibition opportunities and career guidance, ARTmine, an online fine art gallery, and Agora Gallery, a contemporary art space in Chelsea.