The Sally and Richard Lehmann Emerging Artist Awards (Lehmann Emerging Artist Awards) recognizes and supports Arizona-based emerging artists. Recipients demonstrate artistic achievement and a commitment to their practice. A panel of judges will award up to two (2) awards of $10,000, a lifetime membership to Phoenix Art Museum (PhxArt), and each recipient will be invited to present their work in a two-person exhibition at PhxArt, scheduled to open in July 2027. 

Phoenix Art Museum will be accepting submissions for the 2026 Sally and Richard Lehmann Emerging Artist Awards from March 1, 2026 – April 27, 2026. Applications are only accepted online and are due by 5 pm MST on April 27, 2026. There is no fee to submit to the open call.

All applications will also be eligible for the Sette/Cohn Artist Award, a $5,000 unrestricted prize awarded to an emerging Arizona artist. 

Eligibility Requirements: 

Artists must have been living in Arizona for at least one (1) year at the time of application (ie. March 1, 2025).

Artists must be considered emerging artists to apply

• PhxArt defines emerging as having at least four (4) years of professional experience; currently making and exhibiting new work in Arizona, but not extensively outside of the state; or individuals returning to art after a hiatus.
• Artists working in all media, including painting, sculpture, drawing, installation, new media, performance, photography, and video, may apply.

Submitted artwork must have been produced within the past three (3) years.

Are not enrolled full-time in an academic program or engage in art making as a hobby

Are not staff, board, or volunteers of PhxArt

• Please note that independent contractors are not considered staff and are eligible to apply.

Are not previous winners of the Lehmann Emerging Artist Award

Artists must be registered as an Artlink Articipant. Register as an Articipant* with Artlink here. 

Submission Requirements:

Applications must be submitted through Submittable and include:

Artist name, mailing address, email address, and telephone number

Website

Artist CV

Artist statement (300 words or less)

One short-form response (300 words or less):

• How will being a Lehmann Emerging Artist Award recipient help you achieve your artistic goals?

Six (6) images of the artwork you wish to be reviewed by jurors:

• Artwork must be produced in the last three (3) years.
• Video work samples will be accepted; they are not to exceed three minutes each.

Descriptions of each submitted artwork:

• Please include title, date completed, medium, and dimensions
• Short description of the work is optional (100 words or less)

Jury Process and Criteria:

The selection process for the Lehmann Emerging Artist Awards includes two rounds. Applications that advance to Round II will have been seen by at least one arts professional, providing exposure to new audiences and potential connections even outside of the application process.

A panel of qualified judges will select the winner. The 2026 Lehmann Emerging Artist Award panel will comprise four individuals, including a Phoenix Art Museum curator, two qualified arts professionals (one based in Arizona and one national), and a past winner of the Scult Family Award. The jury is asked to consider the following criteria as the sole basis for their review and evaluation.

Artistic Strength: Based on the submitted work samples, does the applicant demonstrate vision, originality, and a commitment to their practice?

Artistic Skill: Does the artist demonstrate an excellence of technique?

Impact: Does the artist clearly explain how receiving the award would help them achieve their artistic goals?

The following scoring guide is provided to the jury: 

5 – Exceptional: Highest possible score.    Application completely fulfills the selection criteria. The artist’s work is compelling. They have clearly explained how receiving the award would impact their career, and you feel strongly they should move to the next round of review.

4 – Excellent: A compelling application that strongly fulfills most of the criteria, and you think they should move on to the next round of review. 

3 – Good: A good application that fulfills most of the criteria.

2 – Fair: Application is strong in some areas and weak in others. You do not feel strongly about this project advancing to the next round.

1 – Poor: Lowest possible score. You do not feel this application fulfills any of the selection criteria, and you are not recommending this project advance to the next round of review.

Submissions deadline: All materials must be submitted by 5:00 pm MST on April 27, 2025.

Questions about Submittable? Please email: submissions@artlinkphx.org

Questions about the application? Please email: curatorial@phxart.org

*Note: While being an Artlink Articipant does not require payment, there are additional benefits to paid levels. Visit artlinkphx.org for details.