AXA Art Prize US announces 2025 exhibition shortlist

40 works chosen from over 600 student submissions nationwide
Exhibition to go on view in New York this fall
First and second prize to be awarded in November

NEW YORK, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- AXA XL has unveiled the 40 student artists selected for the eighth edition of the AXA Art Prize US 2025 Exhibition. After receiving over 600 submissions from 158 different schools across the country, the shortlisted works will be showcased in an in-person exhibition at the New York Academy of Art this November.

The 2025 Finalists

Submissions were first reviewed by regional jurors from the Prize's Strategic Advisory Board of 30 major art schools and programs in the U.S., including the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), Savannah College of Art and Design, Pratt Institute, and California College of the Arts.

The final 40 works in the exhibition, which include paintings, drawings, and prints, were chosen by an Exhibition Jury comprised of Alex Gartenfeld of the Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami, independent curator Claudia Gould, Jonathan Rider of the FLAG Art Foundation, and independent curator John Yau.

The shortlisted artists are enrolled at 20 different schools and hail from 17 different states. Seven schools have multiple shortlisted artists: the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, School of Visual Arts, and Washington University in St. Louis all have two finalists. The New York Academy of Art generated three finalists, the Fashion Institute of Technology generated four finalists, the Maryland Institute College of Art generated six finalists, and Savannah College of Art and Design generated eight finalists. Three artists who made previous shortlists were accepted once again in 2025. See full list at www.axaxl.com/axa-art-prize/finalists

The Prize

Launched in 2018, the AXA Art Prize US has established itself as one of the premier student art competitions in the United States. The competition is open to figurative paintings, drawings, and prints made by undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in art programs in the U.S. The first prize is $10,000 and the second prize is $5,000; winners will be chosen by renowned artists Ali Banisadr, David Antonio Cruz, and Deborah Kass alongside Jennifer Schipf, Global Chief Underwriting Officer, Fine Art & Specie at AXA XL.

Commenting, Jennifer Schipf said: "At AXA XL, we are committed to fostering a vibrant and diverse artistic community. The Prize is not just about recognizing talent; it's about creating opportunities for emerging artists. We are excited to showcase this year's finalists, whose creativity and unique perspectives remind us of the power of art to inspire and connect us all."

Previous juries included distinguished artists Nicole Eisenman, Eric Fischl, and Amy Sherald (2018); Sanford Biggers, Will Cotton, John Currin, and Tschabalala Self (2019); Julia Chiang, Erik Parker, Laurie Simmons, and Salman Toor (2020); Rachel Feinstein, Elizabeth Peyton, Calida Garcia Rawles, and Peter Saul (2021); Arcmanoro Niles, Nicolas Party, and Robin F. Williams (2022); and Jules de Balincourt, Damian Loeb, and Mickalene Thomas (2023) ) ; and Huma Bhabha, Jenna Gribbon, and Rob Pruitt (2024).

AXA XL, a division of AXA, is one of the largest fine art insurers in the world. Our fine arts professionals have built a solid foundation based on years of industry experience in understanding the value, both financial and sentimental, when it comes to safeguarding works of art, jewelry, and specie. With AXA XL's global footprint that includes over 1,200 highly experienced, locally empowered claims professionals managing covered claims in more than 200 countries and territories.

For complete details on the competition, visit www.axaxl.com/axa-art-prize

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ABOUT AXA XL¹
AXA XL¹, the property & casualty and specialty risk division of AXA, provides insurance and risk management products and services for mid-sized companies through to large multinationals, and reinsurance solutions to insurance companies globally. We partner with those who move the world forward. To learn more, visit www.axaxl.com

ABOUT AXA XL¹ INSURANCE
AXA XL¹ Insurance offers property, casualty, professional, financial lines and specialty insurance solutions to mid-sized companies through to large multinationals globally. We partner with those who move the world forward. To learn more, visit www.axaxl.com

ABOUT NEW YORK ACADEMY OF ART
Founded in 1982 by artists, scholars and patrons of the arts, including Andy Warhol, the New York Academy of Art is a not-for-profit educational and cultural institution which combines intensive technical training in drawing, painting and sculpture with active critical discourse. Academy students are taught traditional methods and techniques and encouraged to use these skills to make vital contemporary art. Through major exhibitions, a lively speaker series, and an ambitious educational program, the Academy serves as a creative and intellectual center for all artists dedicated to highly skilled, conceptually aware figurative and representational art.

¹AXA XL is a division of AXA Group providing products and services through three business groups: AXA XL Insurance, AXA XL Reinsurance and AXA XL Risk Consulting.

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