The Gibbes Museum of Art in Charleston, a cornerstone of Southern arts and culture since 1858, has officially extended the deadline for its prestigious 1858 Prize for Contemporary Southern Art. Artists now have until September 7, 2025, to submit their work for a chance to win $10,000 and a year-long museum exhibition spotlighting their artistry.
Presented by Society 1858, the museum’s young professionals auxiliary group, the 1858 Prize celebrates innovative artists whose work reshapes how we view the South’s creative landscape. Eligible applicants must live in, work in, or be from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, or West Virginia.
The winning artist will not only receive the cash prize but also enjoy a year-long exhibition at the Gibbes Museum. In addition, they’ll be honored in a three-day celebration in Charleston this February, including the Society 1858 Winter Party and the Amy P. Coy Forum, where the artist will speak about their work.
The prize has propelled past winners such as Demond Melancon (2024) and Sherrill Roland (2023) into wider acclaim, with some alumni earning major accolades from the Guggenheim Foundation, United States Artist Fellowship, and Pollock-Krasner Foundation.
“Year after year, the 1858 Prize stands as a beacon for Southern talent,” says Dr. H. Alexander Rich, President and CEO of the Gibbes Museum. “We can’t wait to witness the next wave of bold, thought-provoking artistry that captures the spirit of our region.”
Submissions are accepted exclusively through the museum’s website at gibbesmuseum.org/1858-prize. The winner will be announced in October 2025.
If you’re an artist ready to shape the narrative of Southern art—or know someone who is—this is the moment to step into the spotlight.
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