Embracing Our Differences 2027 is an international juried competition inviting artists and writers to contribute to a large-scale outdoor exhibition in Southwest Florida. Organized by Embracing Our Differences, the initiative uses art as a catalyst for dialogue around inclusion, kindness, and respect, encouraging participants to explore and express the complexity of human diversity through visual storytelling.

Selected works are reproduced as billboard-sized installations and displayed in public parks from mid-January through April, reaching a broad and diverse audience. Each year, 50 artworks paired with original quotations are chosen, creating a powerful open-air exhibition that engages millions of visitors and students while fostering meaningful conversations about social issues and shared humanity.

The competition welcomes interpretations of the theme “embracing our differences,” with an emphasis on originality and clarity of message. Artists are challenged to create works that translate effectively to monumental scale and resonate with viewers in public space, offering a unique opportunity for global exposure in a socially engaged artistic context.

Entry fee: Free entry

Eligibility

Open to artists, photographers, students, amateurs, and professionals worldwide aged 13 and above (under 13 with parental consent), submitting original non-AI-generated work.

Prize

A total of $6,000 in cash awards is presented, divided equally among three categories: Best-in-Show Adult, Best-in-Show Student, and People’s Choice, with the latter selected by exhibition visitors.