State Visual Arts Awards 2026 – Online Applications Now Open
The Department of Cultural Affairs has invited artists to submit applications and creative works for the State Visual Arts Awards 2026.
Applications and artworks must be submitted through the official online portal on or before 30 September 2026.
⚡ Quick Information
🏛️ Institution: Department of Cultural Affairs
🎨 Programme: State Visual Arts Awards 2026
📢 Notice Type: Call for Applications
🖌️ Main Fields: Visual Art and Sculpture
📂 Competition Categories: Painting, Drawing, Traditional Art, Mixed Media, Printmaking, New Media, Installation Art and Sculpture
🌐 Application Method: Online Only
🗣️ Accepted Languages: Sinhala, Tamil or English
💳 Application Fee: Not Mentioned
📅 Published Date: 04 September 2026
🔴 Closing Date: 30 September 2026
Competition Categories
Applications and creative works are accepted under the following categories.
1. Painting
Accepted painting media include:
- Oil painting
- Acrylic painting
- Watercolour
- Gouache
Works may be produced on suitable surfaces including canvas, boards, linen, paper or specialised watercolour paper.
2. Drawing
Artists may use suitable drawing media such as:
- Graphite pencils and graphite powder
- Charcoal
- Soft, hard or oil pastels
- Indian ink and other ink-based tools
- Technical pens, fountain pens, brush pens and dip pens
3. Copying Traditional Paintings and Related Creative Works
This category covers the reproduction and interpretation of traditional paintings connected to religious and cultural traditions.
The creative process and the sources used for the work should be clearly documented.
4. Mixed Media Art
Mixed media creations may combine different materials and techniques, including:
- Painting and collage
- Colour, paper, fabric or metal
- Drawing and photographic prints
- Mixed-media printmaking
5. Printmaking
The printmaking section includes:
- Relief and planographic printing
- Intaglio and screen printing
- Woodcut and wood engraving
- Linocut
- Collagraph
- Lithography
- Monoprint
- Etching
- Drypoint
- Mezzotint
- Aquatint
- Engraving
- Screen printing on paper or textiles
Every submitted print should be an original edition produced by the participating printmaker.
6. New Media Art
The New Media Art section includes contemporary creations produced using modern technology.
Available areas include:
- Video Art
- Digital Art
- AI Generative Art
Digital artwork may be created using computers, graphic tablets, stylus pens or major digital-art software.
7. Installation Art
Installation artworks may combine objects, sound, light and other materials to transform a space and create a physical, emotional or conceptual experience.
Submissions should be presented through a series of photographs. Any special electrical connections or technical arrangements required for the installation must be provided by the applicant.
8. Sculpture
The sculpture section includes:
- Modelling with flexible media
- Sculpture carving
- Metal sculpture
- Mixed-media sculpture
- Ceramic sculpture
Applicants submitting sculptures should include a series of photographs showing the development of the artwork from its initial stage to completion.
Application Instructions
Applicants must use the relevant online form provided for their selected competition category.
The requested information should be completed accurately and clearly in one of the following languages:
- Sinhala
- Tamil
- English
Incorrect or incomplete information may result in disqualification from the competition.
Each competition category has a separate upload form. Applicants should therefore select the correct category before uploading their application and creative work.
How to Apply
Applications and creative works must be submitted online through the official State Visual Arts Festival portal:
https://www.dca.lk/applications/art-sculpture/english
Applications submitted through another method may not be accepted.
Closing Date
The deadline for submitting applications and creative works is:
30 September 2026
Applicants are advised to complete the online submission process well before the deadline.
Official Source
Department of Cultural Affairs announcement:
Applicants should carefully review the instructions and judging criteria applicable to their selected category before submitting an artwork.
Source Note: This information has been prepared using the official announcement and submission portal of the Department of Cultural Affairs. SLInfoMag is an independent information portal and is not affiliated with the department.
Source Note:This information has been prepared with reference to the official advertisement and relevant institutional sources. Applicants are advised to verify all details from the official source before applying.