Hitay Foundation 2026 Art Competition Call: Deadline June 30

The Hitay Foundation (Hitay Vakfı), founded by prominent entrepreneur and art collector Emin Hitay, has once again released its annual competition call to support young artists. According to reports published in media outlets such as the "Ereğli Önder" newspaper, eligible students and artists have until the end of June to submit their works for this competition [2].

Competition Details and Foundation Goals The Hitay Foundation organizes an annual competition at various levels with the aim of promoting contemporary art and supporting talented students. This competition, which has now become a fixed event in Turkey's art calendar, focuses on creativity and innovation in visual arts. According to the foundation's official statement, the primary goal of this competition is to create a bridge between academic education and the professional art world [1].

2026 Call Participation Requirements This competition is specifically designed for undergraduate and graduate students of Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University (MSGSÜ). Participants can compete in various fields including painting, sculpture, photography, and digital arts. Applicants must upload their documents and images of their works through the foundation's online portal by June 30, 2026 [3].

Special Prizes and Privileges for Winners One of the most attractive parts of the Hitay Foundation competition is its non-cash and experiential prizes. In previous editions, winners have had the opportunity to travel to major events such as the "Venice Biennale" or "Art Basel" in Paris. For 2026, it is anticipated that in addition to cash prizes, study tours to European art centers will be provided for the top winners to become closely acquainted with global art trends [1][2].

Importance of Supporting Young Artists in Turkey Emin Hitay, the founder of the foundation, believes that supporting artists in the early years of their professional careers is the key to their international success. This competition holds a special place not only financially but also in terms of artistic prestige, and selected works are usually displayed in reputable exhibitions. As the June 30 deadline approaches, all eligible students are invited to use this opportunity to have their works seen by prominent judges and major collectors [2].