Organizer: OSTEN Skopje (North Macedonia)

Location: Skopje, North Macedonia, global online submission

Deadline: 31 May 2026 (online application deadline)

Competition Category:
- Art on paper (drawing, print, and mixed media)
- 2D and 3D art (painting, objects, installations, textile art)
- Photography, video art, multimedia art

Eligibility:
- Open to artists aged 18+ worldwide
- Can participate individually or in a group of up to 7 artists
- Group participation options: Joint Concept (separate works united around a concept) or Joint Work (one work created by all group members)
- Works must be created between 2024-2026

Entry Fee:
- Individual participation: €65
- Group participation: €130

Prizes/Awards:
- Awards decided by the Ambassadors of OSTEN: Grand Prix for Life Achievement, World Cultural Heritage Award, Special Grand Prix
- Awards decided by the International Jury: 3 First Awards (with a money prize of $1000 each), 3 Special Awards, 3 Special Recognitions
- Awards decided by the OSTEN Board: 5 Golden OSTEN Awards, 5 OSTEN Awards
- OSTEN's Special Awards and Recognition: Awards in collaboration with WAVA (World Association of Visual Arts), Award for object in collaboration with CCA Prilep
- Award-winning artists receive a free copy of the catalogue by postal mail, and their works will be exhibited in the official exhibition and included in the biennial catalog

Core Introduction: The OSTEN BIENNIAL of CONTEMPORARY VISUAL ARTS Skopje 2026 is an inclusive art event that gives priority to works that break old and worn-out art matrices, works with a specific artist's mark or attempts to step outside established academic rules. The biennial challenges artists to push conventional boundaries in terms of techniques, tools, media, and creative freedom of expression. The competition is open to artists aged 18+ worldwide, who can participate individually or in groups. Works must be created between 2024-2026, and various forms of art are welcome, including art on paper, 2D and 3D art, photography, video art, and multimedia art.