About the AXA Art Prize

The AXA Art Prize, formerly the XL Catlin Art Prize, shines a spotlight on the re-emergence of figurative art in the contemporary art world.

Now in its second year in North America, the prize is founded on a 10-year legacy of a previous prize which was established in the UK and recognised young artists through a prestigious London exhibition and catalogue publication. Over a decade the prize established a strong reputation as an insightful overview of emerging talent and has continued to build on that position of credibility in North America.

The AXA Art Prize is comprised of three exhibitions, taking place in San Francisco, Chicago and New York, and a printed catalogue, all designed to showcase the finalists’ work. The contest provides a unique platform for new artistic talent and gives the next generation of figurative artists the perfect forum in which to launch their careers.

AXA XL

The AXA Art Prize is brought to you by AXA XL, a division of AXA Group. AXA XL provides insurance and reinsurance solutions to clients in more than 200 countries. We insure some of the world’s most acclaimed galleries, art collections and dealers. AXA XL is an established patron of the arts and continues to champion initiatives designed to support and celebrate emerging talent in the United Kingdom and the United States. To learn more, visit www.axaxl.com.

Eligibility

Applicants must be currently enrolled in a degree-granting program, either as an undergraduate or graduate student majoring in studio art at a U.S. school. 2018 XL Catlin Art Prize exhibition participants are eligible to participate in the 2019 AXA Art Prize competition, but they must use a different piece from the one previously exhibited.

Prizes

1st Place : $10,000 cash prize
2nd Place: $5,000 cash prize

Strategic Advisory Board

A group of leading art institutions throughout the US was assembled to form a Strategic Advisory Board. Each institution has appointed a Regional Juror to participate in the AXA Art Prize jury process and has supported the AXA Art Prize within their communities.

Jury process

The competition is structured around three rounds of jurrying:

1. Regional Jury
The US has been divided into five regions for the prize: Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, South, Midwest, and West. Regional Jurors will rate all submissions from their region. Upon completion, regional submissions will be presented to the Exhibition Jury.

2. Exhibition Jury
A four-person Exhibition Jury consisting of prominent curators from the art world will review and rate the top 50% of all submissions and select 40 works to comprise the exhibition. Finalists for the exhibition will be notified and posted online.

3. Prize Jury
Three prominent artists will review the final 40 submissions and determine the 1st and 2nd prize winners.

About AXA XL

AXA XL*, the property & casualty and specialty risk division of AXA, provides insurance and risk management products and services for mid-sized companies through to large multinationals, and reinsurance solutions to insurance companies globally. We partner with those who move the world forward. To learn more, visit www.axaxl.com

*AXA XL is a division of AXA Group providing products and services through four business groups: AXA XL Insurance, AXA XL Reinsurance, AXA XL Art & Lifestyle and AXA XL Risk Consulting.