Annual Awards
The Salon Art Prize Annual Awards (formerly the PleinAir Salon) are presented each year at the Plein Air Convention & Expo. The winners are brought up on stage to receive their awards. In 2026 we will now have TWO Grand Prize winners presented with a check for $15,000! In addition to cash prizes, winners are promoted throughout our various magazines, newsletters and social media platforms.
Over $41,000 in Annual Cash Prizes
PleinAir
Grand Prize
$15,000 Cash Prize
Your painting featured on the cover of PleinAir magazine!
A feature article in PleinAir magazine
Fine Art Connoisseur
Grand Prize
$15,000 Cash Prize
Your painting featured on the cover of Fine Art Connoisseur magazine!
A feature article in Fine Art Connoisseur magazine
2nd place
Overall
$4,000 Cash Prize
A feature article in the digital edition of PleinAir magazine
3rd place
Overall
$2,000 Cash Prize
Three Honorable Mentions
$750 Cash Prize each
Best Medium
Awards
$500 Cash Prize each
Acrylic, Drawing, Gouache, Oil, Pastel, Watercolor
Plus, ALL Winners Receive:
A showcase in PleinAir Magazine (Over 32,000 readers) and Fine Art Connoisseur
Three issues of the PleinAir Magazine and Fine Art Connoisseur showcasing the awards
Promotion on PleinAir Magazine, Fine Art Connoisseur, and Salon Art Prize’s social media platforms.
Inclusion in the permanent winner archives on SalonArtPrize.com
A framed award featuring your win
Monthly Awards
The Salon Art Prize (formerly the PleinAr Salon), consists of 11 monthly cycles with 22 winners, and awards $2,250 each month.
$24,750 in Monthly Cash Prizes
1st Place Overall
$600 Cash Prize
A feature on the Fine Art Connoisseur website, and in Fine Art Today and Plein Air Today
2nd Place Overall
$400 Cash Prize
3rd Place Overall
$300 Cash Prize
Category Awards
Each category award winner receives a $50 cash prize.
Plus, All Monthly Winners Receive:
A showcase in PleinAir Magazine and Fine Art Connoisseur
Two issues of the PleinAir Magazine showcasing your win
A printable certificate
Promotion on all of Salon Art Prize’s social platforms
A graphic featuring your artwork and award to share on social media
A press release to share with your email lists and local news outlets
Inclusion in the permanent Winners Archives on SalonArtPrize.com
All winners are eligible for editorial coverage at the discretion of the editors.
Honorable Mentions (19)
An honorable mention award will be chosen for each of the 19 categories and they will receive,
Inclusion in the winner’s showcase in the digital edition of PleinAir Magazine, and Fine Art Connoisseur
Access to the digital issue of the magazines showcasing your award.
A graphic to share on social media.
Promotion on Salon Art Prize’s social platforms.
Inclusion in the permanent winners archives on SalonArtPrize.com
Finalists
Each month a judge reviews and scores each painting that is entered. The paintings with the highest scores are juried in as finalists, and each will receive a graphic to share on social media.
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