1. ABOUT HBCU ART HAUS

HBCU Art Haus LLC is a Texas limited liability company. HBCU Art Haus is a curated, nomadic marketplace built by an HBCU artist, for HBCU artists — geographically agnostic by design and dedicated exclusively to connecting HBCU-trained visual artists with collectors worldwide. HBCU Art Haus is the organizer of the First Annual HBCU Art Haus Art Prize.

2. PURPOSE

The HBCU Art Haus Art Prize is an annual competition open to currently enrolled students and recent alumni of accredited Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the United States. The Prize identifies and elevates emerging HBCU-trained visual artists by providing a cash award, a permanent collection acquisition, and a fully funded limited edition print launch. Participation is free of charge and subject to full acceptance of these Official Rules.

3. ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible, each applicant must meet one of the following criteria at the time of submission: currently enrolled as a student at one of the 103 accredited HBCUs in the United States, or a graduate of an accredited HBCU who received their degree between 2021 and 2026. Candidates must be at least 18 years of age and have full legal capacity to enter into a binding agreement. Only individual applications are accepted. Collectives, companies, and other legal entities are not eligible. Candidates must hold full rights to the submitted work.

4. ELIGIBLE MEDIUMS

Submitted works must be original, previously created works in one of the following mediums: Painting, Drawing, Printmaking, Illustration, Collage, Mixed Media on Paper or Canvas, Fine Art Photography. Works produced primarily by artificial intelligence are expressly ineligible. Works that incorporate AI as a minor element must be disclosed in the artist statement. HBCU Art Haus reserves the right to disqualify any submission it determines to have been generated or substantially produced by AI.

5. HOW TO ENTER

To submit a valid application, candidates must complete all of the following: follow @hbcuarthaus on Instagram, repost the official prize announcement to their Instagram story or feed, tag one HBCU artist or alumnus who should submit, and complete the official submission form at hbcuarthaus.com/prize before 11:59 PM CST on June 14, 2026. One submission per artist. Submissions that do not fulfill all entry requirements will not be considered.

6. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The official submission form must include: full name, email address, Instagram handle, HBCU attended, enrollment status, graduation year or expected graduation year, artwork title, medium, dimensions, a high resolution image upload (minimum 300dpi, JPEG or PNG), a link to a full resolution image via Google Drive or Dropbox, and an artist statement (maximum 1,300 characters).

7. SELECTION PROCESS

Following the close of submissions on June 14, 2026, HBCU Art Haus will select semifinalists for judges review. Semifinalists will not be publicly announced. The judges will score submissions independently between June 15 and June 22, 2026. HBCU Art Haus will confirm up to 10 finalists and one winner by June 27, 2026. The winner will be notified privately before public announcement. The winner must maintain confidentiality until the official announcement on July 7, 2026.

8. JUDGING CRITERIA

Artistic Quality and Originality: the technical execution, compositional strength, and originality of the submitted work. Cultural Resonance: the degree to which the work reflects or advances the lived experience and cultural heritage of the HBCU community. Collectibility and Market Potential: the work’s viability as a collectible object and its appeal to an informed collector audience. Authenticity of Hand: evidence that the work was created by the artist. AI-generated imagery is ineligible. Career Trajectory: the potential impact of the HBCU Art Haus platform, print launch, and permanent collection acquisition on the artist’s long-term development. Judges decisions are final.

9. PRIZE

One Prize winner will be selected and will receive a total package valued at $2,000 comprising a $1,000 cash award, which constitutes the acquisition fee for the original submitted work, and up to $1,000 in-kind limited edition print production, fulfillment, shipping, and marketing materials funded and managed entirely by HBCU Art Haus. The Prize is non-transferable. The winner will also receive an official press release distributed by HBCU Art Haus. Selected finalists will be offered consideration for a featured artist profile on hbcuarthaus.com.

10. PRINT LAUNCH TERMS

By accepting the Prize, the winner agrees to the following. The $1,000 cash award constitutes the full acquisition fee for the original submitted work. Ownership of the original transfers permanently to the HBCU Art Haus permanent collection upon payment. The original will not be resold and will remain in the HBCU Art Haus collection in perpetuity. HBCU Art Haus will fund production of a closed limited edition print run at no cost to the artist. The exact edition size will be announced at the time of the winner’s print launch. HBCU Art Haus will manage all shipping, fulfillment, and logistics for the limited edition print collection. The artist bears no fulfillment responsibility. Each print will include a Certificate of Authenticity signed by the artist and numbered by edition. Net print sales revenue will be split 70% to the artist and 30% to HBCU Art Haus. The artist retains full credit and attribution on all reproductions. HBCU Art Haus retains the right to display, reproduce, and market the original work and prints for promotional purposes in perpetuity.

11. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

By submitting, each candidate grants HBCU Art Haus the non-exclusive right to reproduce submitted images for promotional purposes in connection with the Prize, with full artist attribution. Candidates represent and warrant that the submitted work is their own original creation, does not infringe any third party intellectual property rights, was not primarily generated by artificial intelligence, and that they have not entered into any agreement that would prevent participation in the Prize or print launch collaboration.

12. PERSONAL DATA

Personal data collected through the submission form is used solely for the administration of the Prize and to add the candidate to the HBCU Art Haus email list. HBCU Art Haus will not sell or share personal data with third parties for commercial purposes unrelated to the Prize.

13. CONDUCT AND STANDARDS

Submitted works must not contain imagery that is offensive, obscene, violent, discriminatory, or in violation of the rights of any third party. HBCU Art Haus reserves the right to disqualify any submission it determines to be inappropriate or contrary to the spirit of the Prize. Jury members may not be contacted directly by any candidate. Any unauthorized approach to a jury member will result in immediate disqualification.

14. POSTPONEMENT AND CANCELLATION

HBCU Art Haus reserves the right to modify, postpone, or cancel the competition if circumstances require. HBCU Art Haus will not be held liable for any such changes.

15. GOVERNING LAW

These Official Rules are governed by the laws of the State of Texas. Any dispute arising out of or in connection with these Rules that cannot be resolved amicably shall be submitted to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Texas.

16. ACCEPTANCE

Participation in the HBCU Art Haus Art Prize constitutes full and unconditional acceptance of these Official Rules. HBCU Art Haus reserves the right to disqualify any candidate who fails to comply with these Rules at any time without prior notice.

For questions contact info@hbcuarthaus.com

17. KEY DATES

Submissions open: May 20, 2026. Submissions close: June 14, 2026 at 11:59 PM CST. Advisory board review: June 15 to June 22, 2026. Finalists confirmed: June 27, 2026. Winner announced: July 7, 2026. Prize paid: July 9, 2026.