The MUSE Illustration Awards 2027 is an international illustration competition organised by the International Awards Associate (IAA). Now accepting entries for its inaugural edition, the competition recognises illustrators working across commercial, editorial, publishing and independent creative projects. It welcomes traditional and digital illustration, from commissioned artwork to personal and experimental work.
The awards cover 17 illustration disciplines, including advertising, editorial, children's illustration, book covers, animation and motion illustration, character design, science and technology illustration, posters, and surface pattern design. Entrants can submit published or unpublished work, including client commissions, independent projects and cohesive illustration series. Both established professionals and emerging illustrators are recognised through separate competition divisions.
Submissions are made online and may consist of a single illustration or a related series of works. Each entry requires one primary image, with up to seven supporting images and a written description of no more than 350 words. Motion-based projects may include a video link, while non-English written materials should be accompanied by an English translation where needed. An international jury evaluates entries on creativity, visual storytelling, artistic execution, communication and relevance. Winners will be announced on 16 April 2027.
Entry fee: Entry fees per category submission (Professional / Emerging): US$35 / US$25 until 19 November 2026; US$45 / US$30 from 20 November to 17 December 2026; US$55 / US$35 from 18 December 2026 to 14 January 2027; and US$65 / US$40 from 15 January to 25 February 2027. A single illustration or cohesive series can be entered for the same fee. Multiple-category submissions require separate fees. Optional bundles of 5 or 10 entry credits cost US$150 / US$275 for Professional entrants and US$100 / US$175 for Emerging entrants.
Eligibility
Open to professional and emerging illustrators, artists, students, freelancers, studios, agencies, publishers and creative teams worldwide, submitting original or authorised work created, published, commissioned or substantially developed on or after 1 January 2023; AI-assisted work is permitted with appropriate disclosure and meaningful human artistic contribution, but primarily prompt-generated images without substantial artistic development are ineligible.
Prize
The MUSE Illustration Awards 2027 offers a total of US$4,700 in cash prizes. The MUSE Illustrator of the Year (Professional) receives US$2,000, while the MUSE Emerging Illustrator of the Year receives US$1,000. Both winners also receive a complimentary MUSE statuette. A further US$1,700 is awarded to 17 Category Winners of the Year, with US$100 for the winning work in each main illustration discipline. Additional distinctions include Platinum, Gold and Silver awards. Winner benefits include digital certificates, official winner badges and recognition through the MUSE online winners' gallery. Selected winners may also receive promotional support, social media recognition and opportunities for editorial coverage, depending on the award level.