2026 Betty Bowen Award

THE SEATTLE ART MUSEUM is now accepting entries for the 49th ANNUAL BETTY BOWEN AWARD.

Administered by the Seattle Art Museum, the annual Betty Bowen Award honors a Northwest artist for their original, exceptional, and compelling work. The winner is awarded an unrestricted cash prize of $20,000 and a solo exhibition at the Seattle Art Museum. In addition, up to two Special Recognition Awards ($4,000 each) and three Special Commendation Awards ($2,500 each) are often granted at the discretion of the Betty Bowen Committee.

Betty Bowen (1918–1977) was a Washington native and enthusiastic supporter of Northwest artists. Her friends established the annual Betty Bowen Award as a celebration of her life and to honor and continue her efforts to provide financial support to the artists of the region. Since 1977, the Seattle Art Museum has hosted the yearly open call process by which the Betty Bowen Committee chooses one visual artist working in the Northwest to receive the unrestricted cash award.