The Next Generation Bamboo Art Prizes 2026

The organizers of The Next Generation Bamboo Art Prizes, Robert Coffland and Margo Thoma, want to ensure a bright future for Japanese Bamboo Art. By organizing a competition, we hope to increase awareness of the art form, gather together those who are passionate about bamboo art, and provide monetary support for young and mid-career artists in the form of a prize.

·         The winner of the Coffland Grand Prize will receive $25,000 USD.

·         The winner of the Excellence in Tradition Prize will receive $5,000 USD.

·         The winner of the Excellence in Sculpture Prize will receive $5,000 USD.

All participants must

·         be under the age of 55 years old (as of March 1, 2026)

·         have an artistic career of no longer than 25 years

·         be a citizen of Japan

·         be the primary creator of all work submitted

·         be able to travel to Oita for the final judging if selected as a finalist

To apply, participants must fill out an application and submit photos of three artworks. 

The works submitted

·         must be an original artwork

·         must be made within the past two years (as of March 1, 2026)

·         must be less than 2.75m in length + circumference when packed for international transport

·         may incorporate other materials, but the primary medium should be bamboo

·         may have been previously exhibited, published, or submitted to other competitions

·         must be available to be judged in person and potentially exhibited outside of Japan following the announcement of the prizewinners

Deadline for submissions is March 1, 2026.

A panel of judges will select a slate of finalists based on a blind judging of photos. The judges will be experts in Japanese bamboo art.

The finalists will be announced by April 1, 2026. Finalists must send the three works they submitted to the Beppu City Traditional Bamboo Crafts Center in Oita Prefecture for in-person judging. The organizers will pay to return the works after the exhibition.

Artists chosen as finalists who live outside of Oita Prefecture will be provided with a stipend for travel up to ¥50,000.

Winners will be announced at an event on May 16, 2026. All finalists are expected to be present for this announcement.

The artwork of the winners of the Coffland Grand Prize, Excellence in Tradition Prize, and Excellence in Sculpture Prize must be available for display at a later event at an American museum.  The winner of the Coffland Prize must be available to travel to this event. Travel expenses would be paid for by the organizers.  

Interested bamboo artists may apply by:

1.  completing the online form below 

2.  downloading and submitting the PDF application linked below to bambooartprize@gmail.com

3.  requesting an application by emailing bambooartprize@gmail.com