The 2026 Earhart Art Prize for Female Artists of Ireland
Date: 21 May 2026
Venue: Studio2, Foyle Business Park, Skeogo, Derry, Derry
Greater Shantallow Community Arts cordially invites you to the prize-giving ceremony for the prestigious Earhart Art Prize for Female Artists in Ireland!
The 2026 Earhart Art Prize for Female Artists of Ireland
On 21 May 2026, the city of Derry once again becomes the centre of artistic celebration and female creative excellence as the fifth annual Earhart Art Prize for Female Artists of Ireland honours the enduring legacy of aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart.
Established by Greater Shantallow Community Arts in partnership with City of Derry Airport, the competition has rapidly evolved into one of the most prestigious and culturally significant arts competitions for female artists across the island of Ireland.
This year’s event commemorates the 94th anniversary of Earhart’s historic solo transatlantic flight in 1932, when she landed unexpectedly in Ballyarnett, just outside Derry, after flying nearly 2,000 miles alone across the Atlantic Ocean in under fifteen hours — a feat that transformed both aviation history and the global perception of women’s achievement.
A Legacy That Continues to Inspire
More than nine decades later, Earhart’s courage, determination, independence and spirit of exploration continue to resonate powerfully with contemporary women artists. The Earhart Art Prize has become far more than a competition; it is now a national platform celebrating female ambition, innovation and creative freedom.
The exceptional calibre of artwork presented in 2026 reflects the profound influence Earhart still exerts on women today. Across painting, mixed media, sculpture, photography and digital art, participating artists explore themes of resilience, identity, aspiration, flight, freedom and transformation — concepts deeply connected to Earhart’s own pioneering journey.
The standard of submissions has grown remarkably since the competition’s launch in 2022. Organisers and judges have consistently noted the extraordinary imagination, technical excellence and emotional depth demonstrated by artists from every corner of Ireland.
Judge Noelle McAlinden described the prize as “a powerful platform for female artists to express bold ideas and push creative boundaries,” highlighting the courage and vision evident throughout the submissions.
Derry and the Earhart Connection
The relationship between Derry and Amelia Earhart remains a unique and cherished chapter in Irish cultural history. Her arrival in Ballyarnett in May 1932 established Derry as the finishing point of one of the greatest achievements in aviation history.
In recent years, the city has increasingly embraced that connection through public art, murals and cultural initiatives celebrating Earhart’s legacy. Large-scale murals across the city, including landmark artworks overlooking the River Foyle, have reinforced Earhart’s symbolism as an icon of courage and female empowerment.
The Rise of a Prestigious National Arts Prize
In only five years, the Earhart Art Prize has established itself as one of Ireland’s most respected showcases for female artistic talent. Its growing reputation mirrors the increasing importance of platforms dedicated to elevating women’s voices within the arts sector.
The competition’s prestige lies not only in the quality of the work exhibited, but also in its symbolic significance. Like Earhart herself, the artists represented are boundary-breakers — women willing to challenge expectations, explore new perspectives and create work that speaks with originality and conviction.
The 2026 exhibition is expected to feature some of Ireland’s most accomplished and exciting female artists, presenting audiences with a remarkable collection of contemporary Irish art distinguished by imagination, technical mastery and emotional power.
Celebrating Courage Through Creativity
At its heart, the Earhart Art Prize is a celebration of fearless creativity. It recognises that the same spirit which carried Amelia Earhart across the Atlantic continues to inspire women today — not only in aviation or exploration, but through artistic expression and cultural leadership.
As the fifth annual Earhart Prize is celebrated in Derry on 21 May 2026, it stands as both a tribute to a historic moment and a powerful statement about the future of women in the arts: ambitious, visionary and unafraid to chart new horizons.