UOB invites all established and aspiring artists to join one of the most prestigious art competitions in Southeast Asia.
Call-for-entries
In each of us, there is a powerful story waiting to be told. For over 40 years, UOB has helped tell these stories through the UOB Painting of the Year (POY), by championing art in Southeast Asia.
Currently held in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, the competition continues to uncover the next generation of great Southeast Asian artists, and contribute to increased awareness and appreciation of art.
How to submit
Click on your respective country below
To edit your submission, click here
Frequently Asked Questions and User Guide
Should you have any questions on UOB Painting of the Year submissions, please click here.
Competition Guidelines
Contact Us
For queries, please contact:
Singapore: paintingoftheyear@uobgroup.com
Malaysia: poy@uob.com.my
Indonesia: uobpoyid@uob.co.id
Thailand: poy@uob.co.th
Vietnam: uobpoyvn@uobgroup.com
In each of us, there is a powerful story waiting to be told. For over 40 years, UOB has helped tell these stories through the UOB Painting of the Year (POY), by championing art in Southeast Asia.
Currently held in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, the competition continues to uncover the next generation of great Southeast Asian artists, and contribute to increased awareness and appreciation of art.
Submit your entry by 31 July 2026 for Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam. Submission for Thailand will close on 3 August 2026.
How to submit
Click on your respective country below
To edit your submission, click here
Frequently Asked Questions and User Guide
Should you have any questions on UOB Painting of the Year submissions, please click here.
Competition Guidelines
- A minimum age of 16 years (as at 31 July 2026) is required for the participation of the Competition
- The Established Artist category is open to professionals who fulfil at least three out of five listed criteria
(Refer to Clause 2 in Rules and Regulations) - Each artist may submit a maximum of one (1) entry
- Artworks that have been awarded and/or acknowledged through a different art competition will not be eligible to participate.
Contact Us
For queries, please contact:
Singapore: paintingoftheyear@uobgroup.com
Malaysia: poy@uob.com.my
Indonesia: uobpoyid@uob.co.id
Thailand: poy@uob.co.th
Vietnam: uobpoyvn@uobgroup.com
About UOB Painting of the Year (POY)
Launched in 1982, the annual art competition is the longest-running in Singapore and one of the most recognised in Southeast Asia.
The 1st UOB POY Singapore competition was jointly organised by UOB and then Ministry of Culture. To date, UOB POY has uncovered more than 1,000 artists across the region, of which, eight alumni have received the Cultural Medallion, Singapore's highest arts accolade conferred by National Arts Council.
The 45th UOB POY (Singapore) country winner will receive S$33,000 in cash prize as well as a chance to compete for the coveted UOB Southeast Asia Painting of the Year regional award (S$13,000 cash prize) and art residency programme. Watch the 2025 UOB Painting of the Year Awards Ceremony Highlight here
The 1st UOB POY Singapore competition was jointly organised by UOB and then Ministry of Culture. To date, UOB POY has uncovered more than 1,000 artists across the region, of which, eight alumni have received the Cultural Medallion, Singapore's highest arts accolade conferred by National Arts Council.
The 45th UOB POY (Singapore) country winner will receive S$33,000 in cash prize as well as a chance to compete for the coveted UOB Southeast Asia Painting of the Year regional award (S$13,000 cash prize) and art residency programme. Watch the 2025 UOB Painting of the Year Awards Ceremony Highlight here
You might ask…
Who can participate?
The competition is open exclusively to citizens and permanent residents of the organising country who are aged 16 years and above.
If a participant is a citizen of a different organising country, he/she should participate in the competition organised in his/her country of residence. For example, a Malaysia citizen who is a Singapore Permanent Resident staying in Singapore should participate in the competition organised in Singapore.
Participation in the competition is free.
If a participant is a citizen of a different organising country, he/she should participate in the competition organised in his/her country of residence. For example, a Malaysia citizen who is a Singapore Permanent Resident staying in Singapore should participate in the competition organised in Singapore.
Participation in the competition is free.
What are the competition categories?
The competition is divided into two categories:
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Emerging Artist Category
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The Emerging Artist category is open to aspiring artists who are (i) pursuing an art education; (ii) are taking their first steps toward a career in art; or (iii) simply painting for pleasure.
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Established Artist Category
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The Established Artist category is open to experienced professionals who fulfil at least three out of five of the following criteria:
1. Artists who are currently represented or have been previously represented by a commercial art gallery and/or collaborated with art gallery.
2. Artists who have sold their artworks through individual effort or gallery-assisted.
3. Participated at least one (1) time in a group or solo exhibition
4. Received a grant or commissioned to create artworks for commercial entities, institutions or any organisation
5. Is a recipient of art-related awards locally or outside of Singapore
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What are the prizes?
Established Artist Category
Singapore
Indonesia
Malaysia
Thailand
Vietnam
UOB Painting of the Year
SGD
33,000
33,000
IDR 250 million
MYR 100,000
THB 750,000
VND 500 million
Gold Award
SGD
15,000
15,000
IDR 100 million
MYR 45,000
THB 300,000
VND 220 million
Silver Award
SGD
10,000
10,000
IDR 80 million
MYR 35,000
THB 240,000
VND 180 million
Bronze Award
SGD
6,500
6,500
IDR 50 million
MYR 22,000
THB 150,000
VND 140 million
UOB Southeast Asian Painting of the Year
SGD 13,000
This regional prize is awarded to the most outstanding of the
five UOB Painting of the Year Award country winners from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore,
Thailand and Vietnam.
Residency Programme
Sponsored by UOB
One of the five UOB Painting of the Year Award country winners
will be selected for a residency programme. The recipient will be selected through an
interview process conducted by the judges of the Competition.
Emerging Artist Category
Singapore
Indonesia
Malaysia
Thailand
Vietnam
Most Promising Artist of the Year
SGD
5,000
5,000
IDR 55 million
MYR 16,000
THB 125,000
VND 85 million
Gold Award
SGD
3,500
3,500
IDR 40 million
MYR 11,000
THB 90,000
VND 60 million
Silver Award
SGD
2,500
2,500
IDR 25 million
MYR 8,000
THB 60,000
VND 40 million
Bronze Award
SGD
1,800
1,800
IDR 20 million
MYR 6,000
THB 45,000
VND 30 million
How many paintings can I submit?
Each participant to submit one (1) painting.
What happens to my painting if I am a winner?
All award-winning paintings, including the documents and materials submitted to UOB, shall
become the property of UOB. Participants are advised to photograph their submissions for their own
records prior to participation.
Are there restrictions on the size or type of medium I can use?
Paintings in acrylic, batik, Chinese brush, collage, crayon, ink, mixed media, oil, watercolouror any other media are accepted.
Paintings are to be within 180 centimetresin height and width (excluding frames). In the event where the artwork consists of multiple paintings, the combined artwork should not exceed 180 centimetresin height and width (excluding frames).
Digital artworks, installations and sculptures will not be accepted.
Paintings are to be within 180 centimetresin height and width (excluding frames). In the event where the artwork consists of multiple paintings, the combined artwork should not exceed 180 centimetresin height and width (excluding frames).
Digital artworks, installations and sculptures will not be accepted.
How is my painting judged?
Artworks will be judged based on these criteria: message, creativity, composition and
technique.
Entries will be judged by a panel of local and/or overseas artists, art connoisseurs, art critics, curators or other creative professionals appointed by UOB.
Entries will be judged by a panel of local and/or overseas artists, art connoisseurs, art critics, curators or other creative professionals appointed by UOB.
When can I submit?
All entry are to be submitted electronically via www.UOBandArt.com by
11.59pm on 31 July 2026.
Why did UOB reduce the maximum number of artwork submissions from three to one?
We have reduced the maximum number of artwork submissions to allow participants to focus on submitting their best artwork. This change will allow artists to focus on producing their best work and we aim to encourage a wider number of artists to participate.