The Institute of Classical Architecture & Art is pleased to offer the Alma Schapiro Prize, which alternates years with the Rieger Graham Prize. The Alma Schapiro Prize is to advance the career of an artist recipient and to foster the continuity of knowledge of the classical tradition as a vital aspect of contemporary culture around the globe.
The centerpiece of the prize is a three-month affiliated fellowship at the American Academy in Rome, the premier American overseas center for independent study and research in the fine arts and humanities. The total award will include Academy fees, travel allotment and award stipend. The proposed three-month stay must begin between September of the prize year and May of the following year. Following the winner's return, an exhibition of their work will be mounted at the ICAA's Cast Hall Gallery for public viewing.
The prize is open to United States citizens who are at least 21 years of age. A formal Bachelor of Fine Arts or Master of Fine Arts degree is not required, although some rigorous training and above all career accomplishment in painting or sculpture tied in expression and technique to contemporary classicism are essential for competitive applications.View 2025 Submission Criteria
The Alma Schapiro Prize is the result of an endowment grant from the Morris and Alma Schapiro Fund of New York City. The Schapiro family was eager to create this fitting prize in Alma Schapiro’s name. Proceeds from this restricted endowment will allow its award every other year beginning in 2007 and continuing on a permanent basis. Fund trustees Linda Schapiro Collins and painter Jacob Collins were guiding advocates and the Institute acknowledges them gratefully.
Nathan en grisaille
Victor in a striped shirt
Marco
Stan
A Letter Never Sent, Dale Zinkowski, 2020, Oil on Aluminum
Self Portrait, Savannah Tate Cuff
Portrait of Pat, Jon Brogie
Ara Pacis Relief, Anthony Baus
Anna, Will St. John, Oil on Canvas, 11 x 14 inches, 2009
Dying Man, Will St. John, Finished Clay, 32 inches, 2010
Allegory Of Painting, D. Jeffrey Mims
Submissions for the 2027 Alma Schapiro Prize are not yet open.
Applicants must submit the following:
Applications must be submitted through the Alma Schapiro Prize Application Form. Hard copy applications will not be accepted.
In addition to the merits of the applicant’s career accomplishment, whatever its respective length along with persuasive expression of interest in living and working in Rome as an affiliated Academy Fellow, the jury will look for exceptional artistic talent and technical skill as measured by the submitted samples of past work. The jury will judge such talent by both its conception and its manual execution. Evidence of strong theoretical underpinnings as expressed in the accompanying essay will enhance the application.
Winners are expected to join the great legacy of artists finding the classical tradition in Rome. The fellowship provides an opportunity for the winner to advance his or her art by drawing from the unique milieu of the American Academy and its host city as inspiration and interlude.
The ICAA reserves the right to publish, electronically post or display at its national headquarters a representative sampling of the work(s) of art produced at the Academy within one year of the fellowship’s completion. One image may be used in future promotion of the Alma Schapiro Prize for subsequent application rounds. Such work results will remain the property of the artist but permission to so reproduce or display must be granted by the artist recipient prior to departing; decisions about where and how to so show will be made by Institute staff in partnership with the Prize jury. It is the responsibility of the ICAA to cover any and all related display costs such as digital photography or transport as deemed most appropriate.
A formal Bachelor of Fine Arts or Master of Fine Arts degree is not required, although some rigorous training and above all career accomplishment in painting or sculpture tied in expression and technique to contemporary classicism are essential for competitive applications. The prize will be limited to citizens of the United States of America. Candidates must be at least 21 years of age.
The proposed three-month stay must begin between September of the prize year and May of the following year.
Contact Sabrina White ([email protected]) or call 212-730-9646 ext. 111 with questions.