Entry Requirements
Professional or Emerging
Choose the most relevant category
Up to 350 words
1 primary image + up to 7 supporting
Provide accurate credits
Optional link for additional context
The MUSE Illustration Awards welcomes eligible work created for commercial, editorial, publishing, cultural, entertainment, educational, scientific, personal, experimental, and other relevant creative contexts.
Eligible work may include:
Work may be created independently or as part of a collaborative project, provided the entrant has the necessary rights, authorization, or permission to submit it.
EXPLORE CATEGORIESFor the 2027 competition year, submitted work must have been created, published, released, commissioned, or substantially developed on or after:
Entrants are responsible for ensuring that submitted work meets the official eligibility requirements.
A single illustration may be entered as one submission.
Supporting images may be included where useful to show details, applications, publication context, installation, process, or presentation.
A related body of illustrations may be submitted as one entry where the works share a clear creative relationship.
This may include work created for one:
The same applicable entry fee applies whether an eligible submission presents a standalone illustration or a cohesive project or related series.
Each entry should include a concise written brief of up to 350 words. The brief should help the jury understand:
Keep the brief focused. It should support the visual work rather than repeat what is already visible.
Entries submitted with non-English written materials should include an English translation or adaptation where necessary for evaluation.
Supporting images may show related illustrations from a cohesive series, detail views, publication or packaging applications, installations, character development, process, or project presentation. Each supporting image should add useful context rather than repeat the same view.
Submitted images should be clear, legible, and suitable for online jury evaluation.
Entries involving animation, motion illustration, title sequences, animated campaigns, moving image, or other time-based work may include a supporting video URL where relevant.
Accepted public or accessible platforms may include:
The submitted link should remain accessible throughout the judging period.
Password-protected links may be accepted where the required access information is provided correctly.
The video should focus on the submitted work and provide sufficient context for evaluation.
EXPLORE ANIMATION & MOTION ILLUSTRATIONEntrants should select the category and subcategory that most accurately reflect the work’s purpose, application, audience, or creative context.
A single work or cohesive project may be entered into multiple relevant categories where appropriate.
Each category submission is treated as a separate entry and requires:
Where an Other subcategory is available, entrants must specify the relevant type of illustration through the required custom field.
The MUSE Illustration Awards may review category placement where necessary to support appropriate evaluation.
EXPLORE ALL CATEGORIESThe Professional division is intended for established illustrators, artists, studios, agencies, creative professionals, and teams with professional experience in illustration or related creative fields.
Eligible entrants may include:
Professional illustrators
Freelance illustrators
Design studios
Creative agencies
Other established practitioners or organizations
The Emerging division recognizes illustrators at an early stage of their creative or professional journey who are building their portfolio, recognition, and professional presence.
Eligible entrants may include:
Current students
Recent graduates
Early-career illustrators
Developing independent practitioners
Other qualifying emerging creatives
The Emerging division is not limited to students.
Entrants are responsible for selecting the appropriate division according to the official eligibility criteria.
Entrants should provide accurate credits where applicable.
Credits may include:
Entrants are responsible for ensuring that submitted credits are accurate and that appropriate permissions have been obtained where required.
Entrants must have the necessary rights, authorization, or permission to submit the work.
Submission of an entry does not transfer ownership of the underlying work to the MUSE Illustration Awards.
Entrants retain ownership of their work, subject to the rights and permissions granted under the official competition terms for administration, judging, promotion, publication, exhibition, archival, and related award purposes.
The entrant is responsible for resolving any copyright, licensing, authorship, client approval, confidentiality, or third-party rights matters associated with the submission.
View Official Competition Rules & TermsPlease ensure that:
Can I enter unpublished work?
Yes. Eligible unpublished, personal, self-initiated, experimental, and other qualifying work may be submitted.
Can I enter commissioned work?
Yes. Eligible commissioned and client work may be entered where the entrant has the necessary rights, authorization, or permission.
Can I submit a series?
Yes. A cohesive project or related series may be submitted as one entry where the works demonstrate a clear creative relationship.
Can I combine unrelated illustrations into one entry?
No. Unrelated works should be submitted separately.
How many images can I upload?
Each entry may include one primary image and up to seven supporting images, for a maximum of eight images.
Can the same work enter multiple categories?
Yes. A work or cohesive project may be entered into multiple relevant categories. Each category submission requires the applicable entry fee or one eligible entry credit.
Do I need to submit physical artwork?
No. Entries are submitted digitally through the official online entry system unless otherwise stated.
Do I need to transfer copyright ownership?
No. Submission does not transfer ownership of the underlying work to the MUSE Illustration Awards. Applicable promotional and administrative rights are governed by the official competition terms.
2027 CALL FOR ENTRIES
Prepare your entry, choose the most relevant category, and share the ideas, craft, and visual storytelling behind your illustration.
Your Vision. Your Voice. Your MUSE.
