Every artist eventually runs into them.
The flashy IG ad.
The “global exposure.”
The celebrity endorsements.
The promise that this competition could be the breakthrough.
And usually? There’s an entry fee attached.
As artists, most of us have paid to enter competitions at some point. I have. Many galleries host juried exhibitions that require submission fees. Artists donate work to charity auctions. Organizations raise money through artist prizes and salon shows. None of this is new in the art world.
But lately I’ve been thinking more carefully about which competitions actually serve artists — and which ones mostly serve themselves.
A newer example that caught my attention is The People's Artist, a competition currently advertising heavily with Johnny Depp featured prominently on the IG pages.
At first glance, it looks exciting. Big visibility. Celebrity involvement. Big cash prize.
But the deeper I looked, the more skeptical I became.
The competition appears to rely heavily on a pay-to-vote structure, where artists advance based on public paid for voting. And whenever money can influence voting, things get murky fast. An artist with deeper pockets — or wealthier supporters — can effectively purchase visibility and momentum and I suspect that's what will happen here.
Is that illegal? No.
Does it feel wrong or unfair? To many artists, yes.
It starts to shift the focus away from artistic merit and toward marketing budgets, social reach, and financial leverage.
And honestly, it reminds me a little of modern culture in general: attention goes to whoever can amplify themselves the loudest. It becomes less about the quality of the painting (or the candidate) and more about the artist's marketing ability.
What also gave me pause is that, at least currently, the competition site seems vague in areas that matter to artists today. I couldn’t find clear language regarding AI-generated artwork, plagiarism protections, or ethical submission standards. In 2026, those are no longer optional details. They matter.
To be fair, the organization is registered as a 501(c)(3), which means there is at least some level of nonprofit structure and accountability behind it. And since it’s new, perhaps those policies are still evolving.
But artists should still ask questions before paying entry fees anywhere:
- Who benefits financially?
- How are winners actually selected?
- What protections exist for artists?
- What happens to submitted images and rights?
- Is this building community, or just monetizing hope?
Because not all pay-to-enter opportunities are created equal.
There are organizations that many artists genuinely value because they provide more than a single contest. Groups like the Art Renewal Center (ARC), International Guild of Realism (IGOR), Portrait Society of America, or American Women Artists (AWA) often function as ongoing artist communities.
Yes, they charge fees.
But many artists join because they gain:
- networking opportunities
- educational resources
- exhibitions
- mentorship
- long-term professional relationships
- credibility within a specific genre or movement
That feels very different from a one-time viral-style competition built primarily around public voting.
And to be honest, most competitions are a little “rigged” in one way or another anyway.
Jurors have preferences.
Organizations have agendas.
Popularity matters.
Connections matter.
Timing matters.
That doesn’t mean artists should never apply.
It just means we should be realistic about what these systems are.
Sometimes entering is worth it for motivation, exposure, community, or simply the excitement of participating. Sometimes it supports causes we care about. I personally love supporting charitable artist prizes and organizations that genuinely uplift artists.
But artists should never confuse rejection with artistic value.
Your art does not become meaningful because a panel selected it.
And your work does not become less powerful because they didn’t.
The truth is: many extraordinary artists never win major competitions. Many award-winning artists disappear entirely a few years later. Recognition and quality are not always the same thing.
So if you want to enter — enter. If you enjoy the experience — enjoy it. If you believe in the organization — support it.
Just go in with open eyes.
And remember: your art is still amazing, whether you’re chosen or not.
