Submission Deadline: August 15, 2025
Results Announced: January 2026
The Altrove Association proudly presents the 4th BOit! International Illustration Contest, themed The City and Water (La Città e L’Acqua). This global competition, rooted in Bologna, invites illustrators and visual artists worldwide to showcase their creativity and engage in a meaningful artistic dialogue.
About BOit!
BOit! is a celebrated international illustration contest designed to nurture emerging talent, promote professional development, and foster cross-cultural exchange. Each edition challenges participants to explore a unique theme and shape, inspired by Bologna’s rich heritage, while addressing universal concepts that resonate globally.
Theme: The City and Water
This year’s theme explores the profound connection between water and urban life. Rivers, canals, and waterways have shaped civilizations, influencing history, culture, and cityscapes. From Bologna’s historic waterways to imagined urban landscapes, participants are invited to reflect on water as a source of life, a force of change, and a symbol of connection. Illustrators are encouraged to draw inspiration from their own cities, fictional worlds, or Bologna itself, creating original, unpublished works that speak to both local and global perspectives.
Awards and Opportunities:
The contest will award three winning artworks with cash prizes, a solo exhibition, participation in a collective exhibition, and additional recognition. A jury will select 30 finalist works for display at exhibitions in Bologna by 2026. Finalists will also provide a brief biography to accompany their showcased artwork.
Eligibility:
The contest is open to Italian and international participants aged 18 or older by the submission deadline, residing in Italy or abroad.
Participation Fees:
- Standard registration fee: €15 (to cover administrative costs)
- Reduced fee for students enrolled in art schools or universities: €10
Why Participate?
BOit! offers a platform for young creatives to gain visibility, connect with a global community, and contribute to a vibrant conversation through the universal language of illustration. The contest celebrates originality and inclusivity, encouraging artists to push creative boundaries.
The winners will be revealed at an awards ceremony in Bologna in 2026, coinciding with the opening of the exhibition featuring the selected works.
For more details and submission guidelines, please visit the official competition website:
https://bo-it.org/wpsite/en/
