Enough of Michael Jackson - I don't want to be guilty of doing the very thing I've been complaining about so I thought it is time to change my journal.

I'm aiming for something a little different this time and found a few contests that I think many of my dA friends would be perfectly suited to enter. The first I found in a UK publication for Mac computers (MAC Format). The contest is entitled GRADUATE SHOWCASE 2009, and is especially for undergraduate or graduate students in their final year of study (anywhere in the world). The contest categories are: Illustration, Graphic Design, 3D Design, Web & Interactive Media, Animation and Video & Broadcast Design. You can enter the contest online at [link]

Now something for all my Digital Photograhy friends. There are apparently cash prizes for a range of new categories (I can't attest to this having only heard of this contest), but it's touted as THE WORLD'S BIGGEST PHOTO COMPETITION. This contest is in association with [link], skyARTS and The Royal Photographic Society. I know all of my digital art friends can easily stand up to the scrutiny of any judges so I hope you all enter and make me proud. You can find out more about this contest at [link]

Another contest that appears to be very prestigious is the Chelsea Fine Art International Contest in New York City. It's judges include several prominent gallery owners as well as important art critics. I think it's the dream of many artists to be recognized by an important gallery in a cultural hub like NYC or LA and here is your chance to get recognized. Learn all about entry fees, how to enter, and view the participants of last year's competition. Do YOU have what it takes? You'll never know unless you try. More info here: [link]

Across the country from NYC there is a prestigious contest for digital artists (of nearly any category, including photography, animation, video, etc.) being held in Los Angeles. It's the LACDA INTERNATIONAL JURIED COMPETITION and you can find out about it here: [link] Better hurry the deadline for submissions is July 20 with the winners being announced the week after.

The remainder of the links I'll provide are comprehensive lists of various art contests being held on a regular basis. It would be a good idea to bookmark these pages as they'll no doubt be updated regularly.

This first link lists contest for various media and interests (watercolors only, costal subjects only, etc.) and provides info on contests from which well known art magazines choose their future featured artists. [link]

This link provides a long list of various contests for nearly all media (including writing) as well as some contest involving very specific categories (like butterfly photo of the year - I know some of you have BEAUTIFUL photos of butterflys). Take a look through these lists, you might just find the one that will put YOUR NAME in lights: [link]

This last list is also fairly comprehensive in it's call for artists of different media. There seems to be something for everyone in every media. Take advantage of the link to get your art out there. I would like nothing more than to see a dA friend make it big (as long as you don't forget me when you're famous). Give it a go here: [link]

If I run into any more contests that fit your particular niche in the artworld, I will post them (and probably note you). I hope this was informative and I hope you all join at least one of these many contests!