The Capital Prize

Application Deadline: The Capital Prize deadline has been extended to October 17 at 5 p.m.

Artwork Drop Off for Installation: Friday, January 9 through Monday, January 12, 2026

Opening Reception: Thursday, February 5, 2026

Exhibition Closing Date: Friday, August 14, 2026

Pick-up of artwork: Monday, August 17 through Wednesday, August 19, 2026.

• Entries are accepted from VCUarts Painting + Printmaking alumni.
• Entries must be less than three years old.
• Each artist may submit up to five entries for consideration.
• All media are accepted but must be able to hang on a wall.

Jury-awarded prizes in the amount of $5,000 per exhibition round

• $3,000 for First Place
• $1,500 for Second Place
• $500 for Third Place

The juror, Leila Grothe, Associate Curator of Contemporary Art at the Baltimore Museum of Art, in consultation with VCUarts and Capital Square, will determine the number of artists and artworks included in this exhibition depending on the size of the works submitted in relation to the gallery space available.

• All hanging works must be wall-hung ready with wire.
• Limited funds are available to assist with framing costs.
• Hanging and display will be completed at the discretion of the exhibition coordinator and host.

• If a patron inquires about purchasing work, exhibition hosts will put them in direct contact with the artist to complete the sale. No sales will be transacted by VCUarts or Capital Square.
• Artists are required to attach a label to the back of their work that includes artist name, title, medium, date of productions, and retail value.

• Although every effort will be made in the safe handling of artwork, VCUarts nor Capital Square will be held liable for any theft or damage of artwork during the exhibition period. The artist is responsible for packing, insurance, and other handling expenses and the risk of loss or damage incurred in the delivery of the artworks.
• Neither VCUarts nor Capital Square may accept shipped artwork or ship outbound artwork. Works need to be hand delivered to and physically picked up at the close of the exhibition in between the specified dates.
• VCUarts nor Capital Square will be held liable for any loss or damage of artworks that occurs after their delivery to the exhibition space and until they are picked up by the artist.
• No funds are available for shipping or transporting artwork to or from the exhibition space.
• Exhibition hosts will manage installation and deinstallation of artwork at Chasen.
• Capital Square commits to providing basic liability insurance for the space for VCUarts faculty and staff, students, and alumni working on this project or visiting the exhibition.
• All artwork must be delivered to the exhibition space by the artist or a designee between Friday, January 9 and Monday, January 12, 2026 during designated hours (TBA). No deliveries from Fed-EX, UPS, or other delivery service will be accepted.
• The exhibition space cannot store boxes or packing material for works in this exhibition.
• All work must be removed between Monday, August 17 through Wednesday, August 19, 2026 during designated hours (TBA).

• VCUarts and Capital Square will host an opening reception for the exhibition.
• Images of selected works in this exhibition will be used on the VCUarts and Capital Square websites and in promotional materials.
• Submitting to the entry form includes the implied consent of the artist to also allow VCUarts and Capital Square to incorporate images of artwork in educational materials, press releases, and other related publicity.