OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT – ONLINE CONTEST – RULES
The International Watercolor Academy officially presents the INTERNATIONAL WATERCOLOR ACADEMY AWARD, a competition open to all artists who use the watercolor technique and wish to exhibit their works in an international context of excellence.
The winner will receive the prestigious “INTERNATIONAL WATERCOLOR ACADEMY AWARD” and will be invited to participate in the most important international exhibition of the year. The three winners and the 10 runners-up will be invited to collect their prizes and awards this year during the LUMINIS ORAE exhibition.
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN
Registration period: January 1, 2026, to February 28, 2026 (deadline: February 28 at 11:59 p.m. local time-CET).
All artists of any nationality, provided they are of legal age (18+).
The theme is open. Works must be created using the pure watercolor technique. Experimentation and innovation are accepted, provided that the essence of the technique is not altered.
- They must be unpublished: never submitted to other competitions or published in magazines, catalogs, or online platforms.
- Maximum size: half a sheet (approximately 60 × 40 cm) – minimum size (30 x 40 cm)
- Photographs must be faithful, without filters or retouching, and contain only the image of the work, without backgrounds.
- High-resolution files (minimum 2MB, 300 dpi).
- Digital works or works created with artificial intelligence are not allowed.
- Failure to comply with even one of the requirements will result in immediate disqualification.
Registration is exclusively online, via email, upon payment of the participation fee.
Each artist may submit 1 to 3 works.
To register, send an email to: award@accademiainternazionaledellacquarello.com
Registration Email
attaching:
- Completed registration form (Please note: to fill out the registration form, click on the download link at the bottom of the page)
- Image(s) of the works in .jpg format (2MB – 300 dpi), naming the files with: country, author, title, dimensions
- Proof of payment of the registration fee
Registration period: January 1, 2026, to February 28, 2026 (deadline: February 28 at 11:59 p.m. local time-CET).
Payment methods:
- PayPal: paypal.me/accintacquarello
- OR: Bank transfer to:
- 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
- Reason for payment: Registration for the International Watercolor Academy Award
Participation fees (the fee listed below includes the €15 registration fee to become a Friend of the Academy):
- €35 for 1 work
- €50 for 2 works
- €70 for 3 works
After verifying payment, AIDA will send official confirmation of registration via email.
The fee is non-refundable in case of non-selection.
The jury will be composed of internationally renowned master artists:
Chieng Chung Wei – Taiwan
Charles Williams – England
Ricky Huang – China
Erik Roads – USA
David Taylor – Australia
Charles Villeneuve – Spain
Tiziana Tagliabue – Jury President – Italy
The works will be evaluated autonomously and independently according to the criteria of composition, originality, and technical quality.
The jury’s decisions are final and unquestionable.
- March 5, 2026 — First selection: official announcement of selected artists and issuance of certificates.
- March 15, 2026 — Second selection: official announcement of finalists and issuance of certificates.
- April 15, 2026 — Third selection and issuance of certificates.
- April 30, 2026 — Announcement of winners and 10 special mentions.
The awards ceremony will be held during the “LUMINIS ORAE” event (June 5–7) during the closing ceremony on Sunday, June 7, 2026, in Frascati.
Dates are subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control.
The winning and mentioned watercolors will be exhibited at the International Exhibition during the event of the International Watercolor Academy “Luminis Horae” in Frascati for the three days of the event and published in the catalog.
First prize
In addition to the exhibition of the winning watercolor painting during the three days of the 2026 event.
1- Participation in an international exhibition of the International Watercolor Academy 2027 together with the great Masters of Watercolor Painting.
2- A certificate.
3- Watercolor painting materials.
4- Publication of videos and interviews on social media and on the website.
Second Prize
In addition to the exhibition of the winning watercolor during the three days of the 2026 event.
1- Certificate.
2- Watercolor materials.
3- Publication and dissemination of videos on social media.
Third Prize
In addition to the exhibition of the winning watercolor during the three days of the 2026 event.
1- Certificate
2- Watercolor materials
3- Publication and dissemination of video on social media
Honorable Mentions
In addition to the exhibition of the winning watercolor during the three days of the 2026 event.
1- Certificate
2- Publication and dissemination of video on social media
The International Watercolor Academy reserves the right to cancel or postpone the competition in the event of unforeseen circumstances or force majeure. In the event of cancellation, fees will be refunded.
The copyright of the works remains with the artist.
The data collected will be used exclusively for the competition and its promotion.
The Organization reserves the right to use the works for any publications on the internet, in
magazines, newspapers, posters, and for use in film and television.
By registering, competitors authorize the Organization to process their personal data in accordance with Legislative Decree 196/2003 and subsequent amendments and additions, for the purposes set out in this announcement and for sending competitors material relating to future initiatives that are planned. During the Impromptu, during the exhibition of the works and at the award ceremony, filming with video cameras, cameras, and TV cameras is authorized.
Failure to comply with any rule of these regulations is grounds for exclusion from the Competition.
For anything not covered in these rules and for any disputes, all authority will be entrusted to Tiziana Tagliabue, President of the Jury, and her decision will be final.
Here is the list of contest participants who passed the first selection
- Will be announced on the 5th of March
Here is the list of contest participants who passed the second selection
- Will be announced on the 15th of March
Here is the list of contest participants who passed the third selection
- Will be announced on the 15th of April!
The winners will be announced on the 30th of April!
The International Watercolor Academy (AIDA), based in Monza, is one of the most important internationally registered non-profit academic organizations entirely dedicated to the art of watercolor painting.
Born from the meeting of world-renowned masters, the Academy shares the mission of promoting art in all its forms, spreading its culture and practice to educate about quality, beauty, ethics, and well-being.
AIDA is the creator of prestigious events such as Monza in Watercolor, Watercolor on the Roads of the Grand Tour, With Watercolor in Search of Light and Colors in Frascati, Foliage, as well as exhibitions, conferences, symposiums, competitions, workshops, and international masterclasses.
It collaborates with universities, institutions, the Accademia Vivarium Novum, and scholars from many countries around the world.
By registering, you accept the INTERNATIONAL WATERCOLOR ACADEMY AWARD RULES in their entirety.
Please note: to complete the registration form, click on “Download” at the bottom
Registration Form for the International Watercolor Academy and Contest:
