News Release
Why Should You Apply? Top 10 Reasons
June 1, 2026
Top 10 Reasons Why YOU Should Apply to The Bennett Prize
10. Take a Chance: What do you have to lose? This is a life changing opportunity that is yours for the taking!
9. We Make it Easy: We know that submitting your application, and let’s face it, pursuing a career as a full time artist, is a lot of work! When you are selected as a finalist, The Bennett Prize and the Muskegon Museum of Art will help you handle the logistics! If selected as a finalist for the Rising Voices exhibition, shipping your paintings to the Muskegon Museum of Art, as well as your travel expenses and hotel accommodations for the opening reception are covered!
8. Invest in Yourself: Much like entering any other call for entries, entering The Bennett Prize is an investment in your career that could pay off big!
7. Solo Exhibition: The opportunity to have your own solo exhibition and display your work at multiple institutions across the country. The world wants to hear your voice and The Bennett Prize is an opportunity to showcase your unique style and vision.
6. National Recognition: All finalists, regardless of winning status, receive equal attention in our advertising. Whether it’s a social media or paid media campaign, we want the world to see your work! Our past winners and finalists have been featured in over 1000 ads and features in national publications and have received over 12 million impressions in social posts!
5. Empowering Women Artists: The Prize aims to elevate women painters who haven't received full professional recognition, promoting equity in a field often dominated by men.
4. The Jury: The Round 5 jury is made up of an impressive group of artists, curators, and collectors who all want to see your work! Outside of The Prize founders, the jury is brand new to The Prize and excited to see the submissions.
3. Prize Money: The grand prize was increased this round to $75,000! The runner-up is granted $10,000. It is the largest prize ever offered to women painters.
2. Be exhibited in a museum: Even if you don’t win, but are a finalist, your work will travel with the Rising Voices exhibition and be displayed in museums and galleries, visited by countless people! A great addition to any artist’s CV.
1. Community: Become a part of a network of women artists who support each other!
“Community is everything! We all need support to keep going and The Bennett Prize expands the network for all women artists!” -Helena Wurzel, Bennett Prize Round 4 Finalist