The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is the leading United Nations entity in the field of human rights, with a unique mandate to promote and protect all human rights for all people.

The United Nations Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) International Art Contest for Minority Artists applications is now open for its second edition in 2023. This contest is a joint event from OHCHR in partnership with Minority Rights Group International and Freemuse. The organizers invite applications from minority artists working on intersectionality themes for the second edition.

This year, minority artists who have exposed, explored, or addressed challenges and issues relevant to intersectionality and intersectional types of discrimination through their artwork can apply for this contest. The artists may submit up to five works relevant to the theme.

OHCHR International Art Contest for Minority Artists aims to raise awareness of individuals and groups’ human rights belonging to minorities and facing compounded forms of discrimination.

The dedicated Judges Panel will assess applications and select three minority artists or art projects to receive non-hierarchical awards and one minority artist or art project to receive the Minority Youth Artist Award. The organizers will announce the winners in November 2023 at a hybrid Ceremony in Geneva. The organizers will launch a visual exhibition and a catalog to feature the awarded artists and their works on this occasion.

Brief Details

Application Deadline: 15 May 2023

Winners Announcement: November 2023

Eligible Countries: All

Location: Geneva

Funding Type: Award

Number of Awards: 4

Contest Theme: Intersectionality

Organized by:  Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights-OHCHR

Partner Organizations: Minority Rights Group International and Freemuse

Awards and Benefits

The Judging Panel of the International Art Contest for Minority Artists will award the winners four prizes of $1,000 each. Among these awards, the panel will reserve one Minority Youth Artist Award for artists aged 18-35.

How to Apply for the International Art Contest for Minority Artists?

The application process is entirely online, and the applicant should complete the entry form and upload files or internet links (URL) of up to 5 artworks of their choice. The uploaded files to the contest website must be images of the artwork and should not contain photographic images of the contestant or other individuals.

Who Can Apply?

The following types of applicants can apply for International Art Contest for Minority Artists:

• Artists belonging to a minority group, such as a national, ethnic, religious, or linguistic minority, per the 1992 UN Minorities Declaration 10, are welcome to apply to contest on Intersectionality Themes.

• Applicants can be of any nationality or stateless.

• All art formats are eligible, with no limitations on style or medium.

• Artworks focusing on intersectional experiences by minorities are eligible.

• Applications include but are not limited to photography, painting, video, installation, drawing, sculpture, etcetera.

• Applicants should submit a virtual presentation of the artwork(s) to OHCHR in a digital format.

• OHCHR will ask for explicit confirmation from the artist that OHCHR can profile the artists and publicly use the virtual presentation of the artwork(s) specifically related to the contest and its promotion. Please be aware that OHCHR will not return copies of any works submitted.

• Entrants should submit a short biography outlining their minority background), their approach to intersectionality with minority matters, and a selection of up to 5 related works.

Selection Criteria

The Judging Panel will review the submissions based on the following non-exhaustive criteria:

• Artistic merit

• Elements in the artist’s work give insights into minority issues, identity, or experience, and intersectionality

• Artist’s views and work relevant to the topic of the contest

• Creativity and innovation

• Impact and influential reach of more established works or potential of increasing visibility of less known ones

• Bravery or originality in addressing complex themes or issues

• Artists’ dedication