Contest and platform rules
Which art contests allow AI, and what do they ask you to show?
Last updated: October 16, 2026
Most big illustration contests in 2026 say no to AI work, a few allow it if you say so, and almost none say how they check. So keep your layered file, your work-in-progress saves and a process record, because some contests say they may ask for proof of your process.
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Rules change fast. We read each organiser’s own page and wrote down what it says. We did not guess. Each row has a link and the date we checked it. Always read the current rules before you enter. This is not legal advice.
The table
How to read it. “Banned” means the page says AI work is not allowed. “Allowed with disclosure” means you may use it if you say so. Date checked for every row: 2026-10-16.
| Name | Type | AI rule | What they ask you to show | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Society of Illustrators, Illustrators 69 | Illustration contest | Banned. Page says "Illustrations utilizing A.I. at any capacity are not eligible for this competition!" | None stated | 2026-10-16 | |
| Communication Arts, 2026 Illustration Annual | Illustration contest | Banned for text-to-image. Page says "we will not be accepting AI text-to-image generated submissions" | None stated. Page says high-res files are requested if work is accepted | 2026-10-16 | |
| American Illustration 45 (AI-AP) | Illustration contest | Banned in effect. Page says "If the work wasn't done by the eye, hand, heart, mind and soul of a human creator, we can't accept it." | Entrant attests to authorship and copyright. No process files stated | 2026-10-16 | |
| V&A Illustration Awards 2026 | Museum award | Banned. Terms say entries made with generative AI, mostly AI, or text-to-image tools "are not eligible" | None stated. Terms say entries are moderated for eligibility | 2026-10-16 | |
| Bologna Children's Book Fair, Illustrators Exhibition (2027 rules) | Children's book open call | Banned. Page says "The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in the creation of the works is not permitted." | Chosen artists send originals, or high-quality prints for digital work, that match the entry. No retouching before shipping | 2026-10-16 | |
| SCBWI Australia East, Picture Book Illustrator Awards 2026 | Children's book award | Banned in effect. Page says SCBWI "is opposed to any use of text-prompted generative AI" and only projects that follow its AI policy are eligible | None stated. Entrants confirm in the application | 2026-10-16 | |
| The Rookies, Rookie Awards 2026 | Student and early-career art contest | Allowed with disclosure for ideas only. AI may help with inspiration. Uploading AI work where AI had a big role in the final result is not permitted. Page also says entries are made "without the use of" AI or ML | Entrants disclose how much AI was used. Organisers "reserve the right to request" more information, which "may include proof of the creative process" | 2026-10-16 | |
| Ohio State Fair, Poster Contest | State fair art contest | 2026: allowed if explained in the application. 2027: the fair says it plans to prohibit AI | Entrants say what medium they used. Winners hand in the original artwork | 2026-10-16 | |
| World Press Photo Contest 2026 | Photo contest | Banned. Page says AI-generated images "are not photography." Some AI enlarging tools are also banned | Original camera files for entries that reach the final stages. Missing files mean the entry is excluded | 2026-10-16 | |
| Kickstarter | Crowdfunding platform | Allowed with disclosure | Say what AI you will use, how, and how much of the project is your own original work | 2026-10-16 | |
| Amazon KDP | Book publishing platform | Allowed with disclosure for AI-generated text, images and translations. AI-assisted work (you made it, AI helped edit or brainstorm) needs no disclosure | You tell KDP when you publish. No process files stated | 2026-10-16 | |
| ArtStation | Portfolio platform | Allowed. Page says guidelines "do not prohibit the use of AI in the process of artwork being posted." Marketplace items made with generative AI need the CreatedWithAI tag | Page says "we encourage you to be transparent in the process." No files required | 2026-10-16 | |
| DeviantArt | Art community and shop | Allowed with a label. Work made mostly with AI tools is labeled "Created using AI tools." Required for items for sale, recommended otherwise (Terms of Service) | A label, not process files. Minor AI uses like content-aware fill or upscaling do not need it | 2026-10-16 | |
| Procreate (the app) | Drawing app maker | Its own stance: no generative AI in the app. Page says "Creativity is made, not generated." This is about the app, not a contest rule | None. Says it does not track user activity | 2026-10-16 |
Policies change. The organiser’s current rules win. A DrawDog certificate does not decide whether a contest accepts your work. See something that changed? Report a change.
What to keep before you enter
Contests say they may ask. Here is what makes the question easy to answer.
- Your layered file. Keep it, with the layers named in your own way. A layered file helps, though layers can be rebuilt after the fact.
- WIP saves. Save a copy at the start, middle and end, and do not delete old ones.
- A timelapse, if your app makes one. A timelapse can be faked or lost, so do not rely on it alone. How to export a Procreate time lapse.
- A process certificate. DrawDog records the time you worked and how the piece came together, without reading your files, and gives you one link to send. How a certificate works. It is a record you made while you worked. It does not decide anything for a contest.
- A short note on the tools you used. If a contest allows disclosure, say it in plain words.
More on the proof side: best ways to prove your art is human-made, what to do if your art is flagged as AI, KDP AI disclosureand AI clauses in illustration contracts.
Common questions
Do art contests ban AI?
Many do. In our table, Society of Illustrators, Communication Arts, American Illustration, the V&A awards and the Bologna illustrators exhibition all say AI work is not allowed. Some contests, like The Rookies, allow AI for ideas if you disclose it. Read each contest's own page, because rules change.
What proof do contests ask for?
Most pages do not say how they check. The Rookies says it may ask for proof of the creative process. World Press Photo asks for the original camera files from finalists. Bologna asks chosen artists for originals or prints that match the entry. Keep your layered file and work-in-progress saves so you can answer fast.
Does a DrawDog certificate guarantee a contest will accept my work?
No. A contest decides by its own rules. A certificate is a record of how your piece came together, with one link you can share if someone asks. DrawDog never opens your files, names, keystrokes or screen.
Is DrawDog an AI detector?
No. DrawDog does not look at your picture or guess how it was made. It records your working time and process while you make the piece, and it leaves your files alone.
How much does DrawDog cost?
You get 3 free certificates a month. Download it at drawdog.art/download, or on iPad go to drawdog.art/seal.
Which contests and sites allow AI if I say so?
In our table, The Rookies, Kickstarter, Amazon KDP and DeviantArt allow AI with a disclosure or a label, within limits. The Rookies allows it for ideas only. Read each organiser's page, because the rules differ.
Will the Ohio State Fair poster contest allow AI in 2027?
The fair says it plans to prohibit AI in 2027. For 2026, AI is allowed if you explain it in the application. Check the fair's page for the final 2027 rules.
What should I keep before I enter an art contest?
Keep your layered file, work-in-progress saves from the start, middle and end, and a short note on the tools you used. A timelapse and a process certificate add more, but a timelapse can be faked or lost, so do not rely on it alone.
Proof you made it. One link your client can check. DrawDog never opens your files.
Your next piece, with a receipt. 3 free certificates a month: drawdog.art/download. On iPad: drawdog.art/seal.
Free covers 3 certificates a month, enough for a few entries. If you enter many contests or deliver to clients often, Pro is $19 a month. See Pro