International Steampunk Art Prize 2026
International • Free Entry • 2,000 AUD Total Prize Money
Artists from around the world are invited to participate in the International Steampunk Art Prize 2026, an international competition celebrating original interpretations of the steampunk theme.
The competition is open to a wide range of artistic disciplines, from painting and sculpture to photography, digital art, mixed media, costume, leatherwork, and mechanical creations.
Theme: Steampunk
Submitted artwork must have a meaningful connection to the steampunk theme.
This connection does not have to be limited to a traditional steampunk visual style. Artists may explore the theme through the subject matter, materials, design, storytelling, imagined technology, technical approach, or overall aesthetic of the work.
Artists are encouraged to use their imagination and develop their own unique interpretation of the steampunk world.
Eligible Art Forms
A wide range of creative disciplines are welcome, including:
- Painting
- Drawing
- Sculpture
- Photography
- Digital Art
- Mixed Media
- Costume
- Leatherwork
- Mechanical Creations and Contraptions
- And other original art forms connected to the steampunk theme
The competition takes a broad approach: if you created the work yourself and it has a meaningful connection to steampunk, you may enter.
Who Can Enter?
The competition is open to artists from around the world.
Participants must:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Submit an original artwork
- Have a meaningful connection between the artwork and the steampunk theme
- Hold the necessary rights to the submitted work
Each artist may enter up to 3 artworks. Each artwork must be submitted separately.
Free Entry
There is no entry fee.
Participation is completely free, with no purchase, donation, membership, or subscription requirement.
Prizes
The competition offers a total of 2,000 AUD in cash prizes.
Judges’ Grand Prize — 1,500 AUD
The winner selected by the judging panel will receive:
- 1,500 AUD cash prize
- The title International Steampunk Artist of the Year 2026
- A permanent artist page on the Steampunk Australia website
- An interview or feature on Steampunk Radio
- Up to 12 months of promotional opportunities
- A digital winner badge
- Inclusion in the online finalist exhibition
- The opportunity for the winning artwork to be used as promotional artwork for the 2027 competition
People’s Choice Prize — 500 AUD
The artist selected through the public vote will receive:
- 500 AUD cash prize
- The title World Steampunk People’s Choice Winner 2026
- A featured artist page
- Up to 3 months of promotion
- A digital winner badge
- Inclusion in the online finalist exhibition
The same artist may win both the Judges’ Grand Prize and the People’s Choice Prize.
Judging Criteria
Entries are judged by an independent human judging panel.
The total score is based on:
- Originality and imagination: 30 points
- Craftsmanship and technical execution: 30 points
- Interpretation of the steampunk theme: 25 points
- Overall artistic impact and presentation: 15 points
This means that simply creating a work that looks steampunk is not enough. The artwork should also demonstrate originality, strong execution, and a meaningful relationship with the theme.
Important: AI Artwork Is Not Allowed
One of the competition’s important rules concerns artificial intelligence.
Artwork created with AI or with AI assistance is not eligible.
Artists must confirm that their submitted work is their own original creation and that no AI generation or AI assistance was used.
The organizers may request evidence of the creative process when necessary.
Artists are therefore encouraged to keep sketches, work-in-progress photographs, or other documentation of the creation process.
Submission Requirements
Applicants will be asked to provide basic personal information as well as details about their artwork, including:
- Artwork title
- Art form / medium
- Year completed
- Dimensions or duration
- Artwork description
- Explanation of the artwork’s connection to steampunk
- Short artist biography
- Images of the artwork
Up to 3 images may be submitted for each artwork. For video or moving-image works, an optional video link may also be provided.
Important Dates
Entries Open: July 16, 2026
Submission Deadline: November 30, 2026
People’s Choice Voting: December 7, 2026 – January 24, 2027
Finalists Announced: February 1, 2027
Winners Announced: February 8, 2027
All dates and times are based on Sydney, Australia local time, as specified in the official competition rules.
Finalists
Up to 20 finalists may be selected.
Finalists may receive opportunities to participate in the online exhibition, receive an artist page, and benefit from promotional opportunities.
Key Information
Deadline: November 30, 2026
Open worldwide
Free entry
Up to 3 artworks
18 years and older
Original steampunk-themed artwork
AI-generated or AI-assisted artwork is not eligible
Official Entry Page
International Steampunk Art Prize 2026 — Official Entry Page
Official Competition Information
International Steampunk Art Prize 2026 — Official Competition Page
Artists should review the complete and current official competition rules before submitting an entry.