The 58th World Gallery of Cartoons Skopje 2026 is an international competition organized by OSTEN in North Macedonia, continuing a long-standing tradition that dates back to 1969. As one of the most established global platforms dedicated to cartoon art, the event brings together artists from around the world to present contemporary approaches to satire, humor, and visual storytelling through cartoons.

The competition invites submissions of original cartoons, satirical drawings, and short comic strips, with no imposed theme, allowing participants full creative freedom. Works are evaluated through a multi-stage process, including selection and international jury review, culminating in an official exhibition and awards ceremony held in Skopje at the end of the year. Selected and awarded works are included in the official catalogue and exhibited as part of the event.

Emphasizing artistic authenticity, the competition prioritizes original, hand-created works, while also accepting digital works presented in signed printed form. The event continues to play a key role in promoting the cultural and artistic value of cartooning, offering artists a respected international platform to share their perspectives and engage with a global audience.

Entry fee: Free if works remain in the OSTEN Collection; $20 per participant if requesting return of non-selected works

Eligibility

Open to professional, semi-professional, and amateur cartoonists worldwide submitting original works, with AI-generated content and plagiarized works not accepted.

Prize

The competition offers a Grand Prix for Lifetime Achievement of $1,500 and a sculpture, a First Award of $1,000, a Second Award of $500, five Third Awards and five Special Awards as plaques, and a CICO Award for a Macedonian cartoonist; awarded and selected participants also receive certificates and inclusion in the official exhibition and catalogue.