The Accademia Internazionale dell’Acquarello (AIDA) proudly presents the first edition of the INTERNATIONAL WATERCOLOR ACADEMY AWARD 2025, a competition open to all artists working with watercolor techniques who wish to showcase their work in a high-quality international setting.
AWARDS
A Prestigious Recognition for Watercolor Art
The Accademia Internazionale dell’Acquarello is the highest accolade in the global watercolor community. The artworks of the top three winners will be honored with this prestigious title and exhibited during the Third Edition of the International Watercolor Festival in Frascati at the renowned Aldobrandini Museum. This unique opportunity places the winning works alongside those of great masters of watercolor painting, celebrating artistic talent in an outstanding context.
In addition to the top three prizes, the competition will grant 10 Honorable Mentions, recognizing the excellence and creativity of other selected works. All participants who pass the selection process will receive an official certificate, acknowledging their contribution to this prestigious event.
This is a must-attend event for enthusiasts and an extraordinary milestone for participating artists.
The awards for the top 3 winners and the 10 Honorable Mentions will be presented during the final day of the International Watercolor Festival, on Sunday, June 15, 2025.
HOW TO REGISTER
Registration for the competition is exclusively online (via email) and requires payment of the participation fee.
Artists may submit a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 3 works.
The data collected (including photos) will be used exclusively for the contest and its promotion.
To register, participants must:
1. Send an email to award@accademiainternazionaledellacquarello.com, attaching:
- Completed registration form.
- Images of the artwork(s) in .jpg format (2 MB, 300 DPI), including title, dimensions (maximum size: 56 x 38 cm, 22″x15″), artist’s name, and country of origin.
2. Make payment via:
- PayPal: paypal.me/accintacquarello PayPal is now working again
- Bank transfer to:
- Bank: Banca di Credito Cooperativo (BCC) di Carate Brianza, Monza Branch
- IBAN: IT54 S084 4020 4000 0000 0282 162
- BIC: CRCBIT22XXX
- Account holder: Accademia Internazionale dell’Acquarello
- Purpose: Registration for International Watercolor Academy Award 2025
Participation Fees:
The participation fee includes a € 20 membership fee to become a “Friend of the Academy.” This membership is valid for one calendar year and offers several benefits (detailed below).
- €40 for 1 artwork
- €55 for 2 artworks
- €70 for 3 artworks
Benefits of Membership in the Accademia Internazionale dell’Acquarello
By becoming a Friend of the Academy, you will
- Support our association.
- Enroll in courses (in-person or online).
- Participate in workshops with renowned international artists.
- Access laboratories and plein air workshops.
- Attend free events organized throughout the year.
- Participate in interviews.
- Receive information about upcoming events and plein air outings.
- Join meetings organized by the Academy.
- Obtain personal and third-party insurance coverage during participation in in-person activities
We are also negotiating with partners to offer discounts for online purchases to our members.
The annual membership fee of €20 is valid for the entire year 2025 and is included in the contest participation fee.
Upon confirmation of payment, the Accademia Internazionale dell’Acquarello will send an email confirming your registration for the INTERNATIONAL WATERCOLOR ACADEMY AWARD 2025.
THEME AND TECHNIQUE
The competition has an open theme. Artworks must be created using pure watercolor techniques. Experimentation and innovation are permitted, provided the fundamental nature of watercolor is preserved.
ARTWORK REQUIREMENTS
To be eligible for the contest, artworks must meet the following criteria:
- 1. Originality: Artworks must be unpublished, never submitted to other contests, and not published in magazines, catalogs, or online stores.
- 2. Size: Maximum size is 56 x 38 cm, 22″x15″.
- 3. Photo Submission: Photos must faithfully represent the artwork, without filters, edits, or external backgrounds.
- 4. High Resolution: Photos must be in 2 MB (minimum 300 DPI) to ensure proper evaluation by the jury.
- 5. Open Theme.
- 6. No Digital or AI Artworks: Only traditional watercolor paintings are accepted.
Failure to meet any of these requirements will result in immediate disqualification.
Submission implies unconditional acceptance of all regulations. A receipt of payment will be issued by the organizer, the Accademia Internazionale dell’Acquarello.
The submission deadline is March 25, 2025 (11:59 PM local time).
JUDGING CRITERIA AND JURY
Evaluation Criteria:
The jury will assess artworks based on composition, originality, and technique.
The jury’s decisions are final.
Jury Members:
- Alvaro Castagnet
- Lyu Hi
- Paul Ching Bor
- Yuko Nagayama
- Nick Alm
- Andy Evansen
- Tiziana Tagliabue (Jury Coordinator)
SELECTION PROCESS
FIRST SELECTION:
On April 25, 2025, the Accademia Internazionale dell’Acquarello will announce and publish on social media the names of selected participants, who will receive a certificate.
In case of unforeseen events, the organization reserves the right to postpone this announcement.
SECOND SELECTION:
On April 30, 2025, the names of the 3 winners and the recipients of the 10 Honorable Mentions will be announced.
Failure to advance to the next selection round does not entitle participants to a refund of their entry fee.
CONTEST TIMELINE AND AWARDS
- March 25, 2025: Submission deadline.
- April 25, 2025: Announcement of the first selection results on the Academy’s website, Instagram, and Facebook.
- April 30, 2025: Announcement of the winners and Honorable Mentions.
The organization reserves the right to change the calendar dates in case of unforeseen events.
The awards ceremony will take place in person during the festival’s final day on June 15, 2025, in Frascati.
RIGHT TO CANCEL – The Accademia Internazionale dell’Acquarello reserves the right to cancel or postpone the competition due to force majeure. In case of cancellation, participation fees will be refunded.
The decisions of the Jury are final. All artworks remain the property of the artists, who retain their copyright.
Data collected during registration will be used exclusively for the contest and its promotion.
Registration Form for the International Watercolor Academy and Contest.
Please note: to complete the registration form, click on "Download" at the bottom
