The Price of a $20,000 Metropolis Art Prize

Screengrab AFC

Lancome spokeswoman and actress Isabella Rossellini takes up the art gauntlet this year as chair of Art Metropolis, an organization promising to award one lucky artist with $20,000 as well as projecting their work on a Times Square billboard.  To say that the contest seems weird however is to put it lightly. Who asks for video submissions only when soliciting work made in any medium? Who promises great cash rewards, but tells artists not to spend it all at once! Who thinks a flash base masthead glamorizing the bustling streets of Times Square is going to appeal to artists?

If it takes no effort to submit to the contest, it might be worth the time, but we suggest caution. Who knows what kind of pimping the winner’s name will be subjected to and there’s nothing on the site that suggests The Art Metropolis/Isabella Rossellini seal of approval is something worth pursuing. Also, sadly they don’t allow pornographic submissions.