$60,000 USD awarded between two winners, with unrestricted funding.
The Global Arts Prize from the Global Leaders Institute supports arts and humanities initiatives leading innovative work. The prize is open worldwide and recognizes initiatives across disciplines and stages of development.
Each year, the prize awards $60,000 USD between two winners. One initiative receives the BlueSky Award, which includes a $20,000 cash prize and a $10,000 Arts MBA scholarship. A second initiative connected to a GLI graduate receives the Legacy Award, a $30,000 cash prize. The prize page states that funds are unrestricted.
Get the best opportunities each week before deadlines hit. Join the Contemporary Performance newsletter and stay connected to the field.
Opportunity Snapshot
What:
Global Arts Prize / Global Arts Prize for Innovation
Who:
Open to all arts and humanities initiatives leading innovative work, regardless of size, discipline, or stage of development. From emerging startups to established institutions, the Prize recognizes organizations redefining the relevance of the arts in today’s society.
Award / Support:
$60,000 USD awarded between two winners
BlueSky Award: $20,000 cash prize
BlueSky Award: $10,000 Arts MBA scholarship
Legacy Award: $30,000 cash prize
Funds are unrestricted
Deadline:
April 20, 2026
Official Link:
https://www.globalleadersinstitute.org/gap/
About the Opportunity
The Global Arts Prize celebrates artists and creative ventures “spearheading an innovative approach to the relevance of arts in our time.” The prize is open to all arts and humanities initiatives leading innovative work, regardless of size, discipline, or stage of development.
The Global Leaders Institute describes the funding as unrestricted, allowing recipients to use the award in whatever way best supports their vision.
What Is Offered
- $60,000 USD awarded between two winners
- BlueSky Award, $20,000 cash prize
- BlueSky Award, $10,000 Arts MBA scholarship
- Legacy Award, $30,000 cash prize
- Unrestricted funding
Who Should Apply
Open to all arts and humanities initiatives leading innovative work, regardless of size, discipline, or stage of development. From emerging startups to established institutions. For the Legacy Award, the initiative must be connected to a GLI graduate.
Timeline
Deadline:
Apr 20, 2026, nomination ends
May 4, 2026, for shortlist announcement,
May 15, 2026, for public voting end
May 22, 2026, for global jury review
Jun 5, 2026, for the BlueSky Awardee announcement
Dec 1, 2026, for the Legacy Awardee announcement.
Why This Opportunity Matters
This prize offers unrestricted support and international visibility to arts and humanities initiatives working in innovative ways. It is notable for its open global scope and for splitting support across two different award tracks.
Apply
Official link: https://www.globalleadersinstitute.org/gap/
Explore More Opportunities
Visit
https://contemporaryperformance.com/opportunities/
We regularly publish artist opportunities, open calls, residencies, commissions, performance reviews, festival highlights, Reading the Field essays, and artist development resources.
