e.sun art awards 2026
Inspired by a deep affection for this beautiful homeland and a longstanding commitment to the humanities and the arts, E.SUN Bank has announced a call for entries for the 2026 “E.SUN Art Awards 2026”. This year’s competition features three categories—Foreigner, General Public, and Student—with a top prize of up to NT$1,000,000, and the Bank warmly invites painters and emerging artists from Taiwan and around the world to take part. Through the creative perspectives and expressive brushwork of participating artists, the Bank hopes to evoke the natural grandeur of Yushan and its rich cultural heritage as well as the power of music, while supporting the continued development of artistic talent.
The “E.SUN Art Awards 2026” center on the ecological landscapes and distinctive cultural character of Yushan National Park, with music introduced as a new thematic focus. Eligible media include oil, acrylic, and gouache paint. Through an expanded range of rich artistic expression, the competition seeks to foster thoughtful engagement with environmental sustainability and the enduring value of arts and culture. The call for entries is open from now until Friday, July 17, 2026 (Taipei time), with online registration available. Submissions may be entered in one of three categories: General Public, Student, and Foreigner. Participants holding Republic of China (Taiwan) citizenship are eligible for the General Public or Student categories, while overseas artists and foreign nationals residing in Taiwan may enter the Foreigner category. E.SUN Bank seeks to unite emerging artistic talents from around the world to reimagine Yushan through innovative and multifaceted perspectives, weaving together themes of natural sustainability and music to highlight the mountain’s vibrant beauty.
In each category, the competition will award one First Prize, one to three Special Selections, and one to five Outstanding works. Winners will receive prize money, certificates, and inclusion in a published catalog of winning works. Total prize pools are NT$3.5 million for the General Public category, NT$1.4 million for the Student category, and US$130,000 for the Foreigner category.
Since its inception in 2012, the “E.SUN Art Awards” have been held successfully three times, drawing enthusiastic participation from art lovers and the broader community, with over 5,000 submissions to date. In 2022, a Foreigner category was introduced for the first time, attracting artists from 72 countries worldwide. Through the artists’ brushstrokes, the diverse landscapes and expressive spirit of Yushan are brought to life, contributing to the enrichment of artistic and cultural heritage. The award-winning works will also be exhibited on a national tour across Northern, Central, and Southern Taiwan, offering the public the opportunity to experience the beauty of the paintings and to engage with the truth, goodness, and beauty inherent in art.