What is the most important art competition?
 

What would you say is the most important open art show in the US today? The jury seems to be out.

I suspect that would depend on what you paint. Portrait artists will argue that the ASOPA and PSA shows are important, western artists would argue for shows like the Prix de West, others for certain OPA shows and the like.

Have you seen artdeadline.com? They have a good list of shows around the country along with entry requirements and dates.

Thanks for that link, Michael.

What's OPA? (Typing opa.org got me the Oregon Psychological Association. Are you trying to hint that we all need some sort of help?!)

OPA is the Oil Painters of America:

http://www.oilpaintersofamerica.com/

Well
 

There are so many, many with large purses. That's why I ask. It's sort of a judgement call.

What is the most important in your eyes? The National Academy of Design, The Autry Museum Show? If you condsider only shows with more than $10,000 in prize money the list is huge. There are several old shows in NY, NY that don't even get the results listed in the art magazines. Also it seems the West and the East are like two different countries.

Tim:

I suspect that you know much more than I about these shows. I have not even entered an ASOPA show yet. If you find any good shows, let me know, yes?

Old days
 

In 1890, there were clearly a few 'best" shows out there. Every country had a few top notch shows. Sargent sent work to 3 or 4 shows a year in London. The Salon was the show in Paris. Even in the US there was the "Expositions" which were not places where you rent booths and sell prints. I just can't find THE BEST stand out open competition. There are portrait shows, animal art shows, western art shows, figure shows, plein air shows, women artists shows, BUT is there any longer one open important show? The National Academy of Design doesn't seem to know if they even have a show any longer (which is pretty weird). Sargent once showed there. Things change, but I must be missing some important shows.

ASOPA
 

ASOPA says no national show this year. Makes my question even more interesting. The PSA show is at a bad time for me. Once there were clear best shows. The lines have been blurred nowadays.

Tim, did ASOPA give a reason why they won't have a national show this year?

The tee word
 

They mentioned the tee word. When societies stop holding events terrorists win.