Artist Of The Year Award 2026: Introducing Our Juror, Jennifer Rizzo | Open Call for Artists

Every artist has a story behind the work they create. Sometimes, it begins with a feeling they cannot quite put into words. Other times, it grows from years of experimentation, a question they keep returning to, or a quiet curiosity that leads them somewhere unexpected. Whatever the starting point, every artistic practice carries its own way of seeing and understanding the world, and we believe those stories deserve the opportunity to be seen.

At Arts to Hearts Project, we love creating spaces where artists can share their work, connect with new audiences, and become part of something that lasts beyond a single moment of recognition. Our Artist Of The Year Award is one such opportunity, bringing together 100 selected artists from around the world in a beautifully curated hardcover book that celebrates the many voices shaping contemporary art today.

As submissions open for the 2026 edition, we are delighted to introduce Jennifer Rizzo as our Guest Juror. With her experience as a curator, writer, and partner at Hashimoto Contemporary, Jennifer brings a thoughtful perspective to this year’s selection. Her work championing emerging artists and building connections between creative practices and new audiences makes her a wonderful addition to this year’s project.

The theme for 2026 is OPEN, inviting artists to share work that feels true to their individual practice, without being limited by a particular subject, medium, or style. Whether you are an emerging artist finding your direction or an established creative continuing to explore new possibilities, we would love to see what you have been making.

About The Project

Every artist has a story to tell through their work. Some spend years developing their practice, while others are just beginning to explore their creative voice. Each brings a different perspective, a unique way of seeing the world, and something meaningful to share with others. At Arts to Hearts Project, we believe these stories deserve to be celebrated and given the space to reach new audiences.

Artist Of The Year was created to bring these stories together. An annual publishing initiative by Arts to Hearts Project, Artist Of The Year brings together 100 selected artists from around the world in a beautifully curated hardcover book. Each edition celebrates the diversity of contemporary art, offering artists an opportunity to share their work alongside other creative voices and allowing readers to discover practices they might not have encountered otherwise.

More than a collection of artworks, the project is about creating something lasting. Every edition becomes a little snapshot of the creative world at that moment, bringing together different ideas, experiences, and artistic approaches in one place. As the series grows, so does this collection of artists and the stories their work has to tell.

For the 2026 edition, the theme is Open, welcoming artists to share work that feels true to their practice, without being limited to a particular subject or medium. We are delighted to welcome Jennifer Rizzo as our Guest Juror, whose experience in contemporary art and commitment to championing emerging artists will help shape this year’s selection.

From the 100 artists selected for the book, one will receive the title of Artist Of The Year 2026, along with a $500 cash award, a trophy, and a dedicated four-page feature. Every selected artist will also be celebrated with a two-page spread in the publication.

Ultimately, Artist Of The Year is about more than a single award. It is about bringing artists together, celebrating the work they create, and giving their stories a place to be discovered, appreciated, and remembered.

Meet Our Juror: Jennifer Rizzo

We are so pleased to welcome Jennifer Rizzo, a Brooklyn-based curator, writer, and partner at Hashimoto Contemporary, as the Guest Juror for Artist Of The Year Award 2026.

Since 2011, Jennifer has worked with galleries across New York City, focusing on emerging and contemporary art. Over the years, she has built meaningful, long-term relationships with artists, collectors, and the wider art community. Her curatorial practice is rooted in discovering and championing emerging artists, creating thoughtful programming, and helping connect artists with audiences who may be encountering their work for the very first time.

Her experience extends beyond the gallery, too. Jennifer has curated features for Create! Magazine, including Issues #10 and #43, and has served as a visiting critic for the Wassaic Project. Through interviews, editorial features, and podcast appearances, she has contributed to conversations about contemporary art and the people shaping its future. She also produced World Wide Walls Vol. 1: 10 Years of International Street Art and contributed an interview to Scott Albrecht’s monograph IN TIME.

For Artist Of The Year Award 2026, Jennifer will bring her curatorial experience and perspective to the selection of artists featured in this year’s book. From the submitted works, she will help identify the practices and creative voices that will come together in this year’s collection, celebrating the different ideas, approaches, and perspectives that make contemporary art so exciting.

We are especially happy to welcome a juror whose work reflects the importance of creating opportunities for artists to be discovered and appreciated by new audiences. We look forward to seeing the collection that takes shape under Jennifer’s curatorial guidance and to celebrating the artists whose work will become part of the 2026 edition.

What Selected Artists Will Receive

Being selected for Artist Of The Year 2026 is an opportunity to become part of a publication created to celebrate artists and their work. All 100 selected artists will receive:

• A Dedicated Two-Page Spread: A professionally designed space in the hardcover book featuring their work and artist profile.
• An Official Certificate Of Recognition: Recognition of their selection for the 2026 edition.
• Community And Email Promotion: Opportunities to share their work through Arts to Hearts Project’s promotional platforms and community.
• Book Distribution: The publication will be available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the Arts to Hearts Project Shop.

In addition to the 100 artists featured in the book, three artists will receive special recognition as the Winner, First Runner-Up, and Second Runner-Up. Each will receive a dedicated four-page feature, a trophy, a certificate of recognition, a promotional feature, and an Artsy artist listing through Arts to Hearts Project.

The Artist Of The Year 2026 winner will also receive a $500 cash award.

How To Submit Your Work

If you have been looking for an opportunity to share your work with a wider audience, we warmly invite you to take a look at this year’s open call. Choose an artwork that feels representative of your practice, prepare your artwork images and artist information, and complete the official submission form.

You do not need to create something specifically for the theme or reshape your practice to fit a particular brief. With an open theme this year, we want to see the work that reflects your ideas, your creative journey, and the direction you are excited to explore.

Submission Deadline: November 15, 2026

The Artist Of The Year Award 2026 is open to individual artists aged 18 and above worldwide. Please review the official submission guidelines for the full eligibility requirements and application details.

We cannot wait to discover the artists and artworks that will become part of this year’s collection. Every submission offers a glimpse into a different creative world, and we are excited to see the perspectives, stories, and possibilities artists from around the world will bring to Artist Of The Year 2026.