Unveil artistic brilliance
Welcome to the Saint Michel Honor Prize gala and exhibition. Immerse yourself in a world where creativity and innovation converge, celebrating the finest in visual arts and design.
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*This financial voucher is exclusively allocated to cover all logistics, VIP access, and professional production costs for the winner’s international debut in Cannes.
Uncover the Saint Michel Honor Prize vision
Celebrating artistic and design excellence
The Saint Michel Honor Prize celebrates outstanding achievements in visual arts, design and fashion. Our mission is to champion artistic talent and innovation. We aim to support artists, designers and models and enrich the cultural landscape. The gala and exhibition showcase diverse artworks and statment pieces. Explore the talent and creativity on display.
São Rafael Galleries proudly support the category 'Lifetime Achievement', celebrating talent in visual arts.
São Rafael Galleries proudly support the category 'Lifetime Achievement', celebrating talent in visual arts.
Witness artistic innovation
Step into a curated gallery of nominated artists and their exceptional artworks. Be captivated by a diverse spectrum of styles, techniques, and artistic visions.
Nominated artist showcase at Cannes Film Festival Showroom
Exhibition of artworks by selected artists, highlighting diverse perspectives.
Gala event highlights at The Haute Couture Boat Paris
Showcasing the atmosphere and key moments from the art prize gala.
Artwork exploration
Detailed presentation of individual artworks, emphasizing techniques and styles.
Experience the exhibition
Explore the exhibition journey, from artwork/statment piece selection to its final presentation. Get acquainted with the requirements and prepare to witness a showcase of visual artistry.
Artwork selection
Understand the criteria for choosing artworks.
Showroom display
Observe the final exhibition layout.
Participation details
Learn the entry requirements.
Understand the guidelines
Review the detailed regulations for participation. Ensure your eligibility and familiarize yourself with the guidelines for all participants.
- EligibilityReview the criteria to ensure eligibility for the art prize.
- GuidelinesFamiliarize yourself with the guidelines for artists.
- TermsUnderstand the terms of participation in the art prize.
- DetailsRead the detailed rules for participation.
Rules and Terms of Participation
- Artists of all nationalities, aged 18 and over, may apply.
- Each artist must submit one Main Work (intended for exhibition) and three complementary works for portfolio evaluation.
- The works must be original and of the sole authorship of the candidate.
- Registration Fee: A non-refundable application fee of 100€ (one hundred euros) is required for all candidates, except for artists with an active annual membership with São Rafael Galleries, for whom the entry is already included. This fee covers the administrative costs of the curatorial pre-selection and the technical management of the digital/physical files for the jury's evaluation and virtual showcase in Cannes.
1. Cannes Phase (Showroom & Jury Evaluation)
2. Paris Phase (The Gala Event)
- Showroom Physical Exhibition: All candidate Main Works will be presented. Physical exhibition is available for finalists, limited to the capacity of the showroom. The private showroom in Cannes is an exclusive space dedicated to the jury's evaluation and private viewings for our official patron’s guests. These attendees include high-profile red carpet personalities and patrons visiting the venue for official fittings during the Cannes Film Festival, providing a unique and prestigious audience for the displayed works.
- Digital Showcase: All other candidates will have their Main Work displayed digitally during the Cannes showroom.
- Physical Delivery (for finalists): Works must be delivered to 53 Boulevard Carnot, 06400 Cannes, strictly between May 8th (starting at 3:00 PM) and May 9th (until 7:00 PM). It is the artist's sole responsibility to ensure the courier adheres to this specific time window.
- Return of Works: All works exhibited in Cannes must be collected or shipped back to the artist on May 14th. The organization does not provide storage after this date.
- Return Shipping: Artists must provide a pre-paid shipping label or arrange payment for the return transport with the gallery by May 1st.
- Digital Option: Artists may choose to participate 100% digitally (virtual display) to avoid physical shipping costs to Cannes.
- Artistic Record & Privacy Policy: To ensure the professional promotion of all participants, the organization will provide high-quality photographs of the works as installed in the showroom. However, to respect the strict privacy and security of our high-profile guests and red carpet personalities, photography of individuals during the fittings is strictly prohibited, and no images of guests will be shared or permitted. The focus of all visual documentation will remain exclusively on the artistic merit and the exhibition setting.
2. Paris Phase (The Gala Event)
- Final Selection: Based on the Cannes evaluation, the Jury will select the Winner and Honorable Mentions.
- Physical Exhibition in Paris: Reserved exclusively for the Winner and Honorable Mentions.
- Logistics for Paris: Since all works return to the artists after the Cannes phase in May, those selected for Paris must re-ship their awarded work to 5 Rue Alfred de Musset, 92240 Malakoff between October 1st and October 2nd.
- The monetary prize for the winner is €1,000.00 (one thousand euros).
- Payment will be made upon presentation of a legally valid receipt (Invoice/Receipt).
- Applications Open: 01/01/2026
- Closing Date: 15/04/2026
- Announcement of finalists: 30/04/2026
- Announcement of Qualifiers for the Paris Stage: 01/09/2026
- Private Showroom in Cannes: from 09/05/2026 to 12/05/2026
- 'The Haute Couture Boat' Event in Paris and Announcement of Winners: 03/10/2026
The selection process is divided into two stages:
1. Pre-Selection (Curatorship): São Rafael Galleries will conduct an initial screening to ensure all entries meet the technical and artistic standards of the prize. Artists with an active annual membership with São Rafael Galleries are granted automatic finalist status. All other applicants will undergo a preliminary curatorial review to determine their entry into the finalist phase.
2. Final Judging: An international jury will evaluate the pre-selected works in Cannes to determine the Winner and Honorable Mentions based on artistic merit.
Important regarding the Jury: To ensure total impartiality, the jury remains independent from the São Rafael Galleries or Empório Aragão and will evaluate your work through a blind process, focusing solely on technical and conceptual merit.
To ensure total impartiality, the jury will not have access to the identity or biography of the artist during the technical and conceptual evaluation phase.
1. Pre-Selection (Curatorship): São Rafael Galleries will conduct an initial screening to ensure all entries meet the technical and artistic standards of the prize. Artists with an active annual membership with São Rafael Galleries are granted automatic finalist status. All other applicants will undergo a preliminary curatorial review to determine their entry into the finalist phase.
2. Final Judging: An international jury will evaluate the pre-selected works in Cannes to determine the Winner and Honorable Mentions based on artistic merit.
Important regarding the Jury: To ensure total impartiality, the jury remains independent from the São Rafael Galleries or Empório Aragão and will evaluate your work through a blind process, focusing solely on technical and conceptual merit.
To ensure total impartiality, the jury will not have access to the identity or biography of the artist during the technical and conceptual evaluation phase.
- Phase 1 (Blind Curatorship): The jury will only have access to images of the works, technical details, and the descriptive memorandum. Any mention of the artist's name or CV in the fields intended for the artwork will result in immediate disqualification.
- Phase 2 (Announcement): Artist identities will be revealed only after the final selection of winners and honorable mentions. Selected artists for Paris will be notified by September 1st. However, the specific rank (Winner vs. Honorable Mention) will be kept confidential and revealed only during the official ceremony on October 3rd.
The jury will evaluate applications based on:
- Technical Quality and Mastery of Materials.
- Originality and Artistic Identity.
- Conceptual Coherence.
- Portfolio Consistency.
To ensure the safe and efficient return of physical works exhibited at the Cannes private showroom, all participating finalists must comply with the following procedures:
Cannes Showroom
While the Cannes showroom is primarily an exhibition for prize candidacy, should there be interest from a collector in acquiring any work:
Paris Event (Winning Artworks)
Winning artworks exhibited in Paris during The Haute Couture Boat event must follow this collection protocol:
Cannes Showroom
- Collection Date: All artworks must be collected from the showroom address on May 14th.
- Shipping Labels: Artists are required to send their return shipping labels to galeriassaorafael@gmail.com no later than May 1st.
- Management Options:
- Self-Managed: The artist generates the return label through their preferred courier and emails the PDF file to us.
- Gallery-Assisted: The artist may request the São Rafael Galleries to generate the label on their behalf. This request must be made via email by the deadline, followed by the respective payment of shipping costs.
While the Cannes showroom is primarily an exhibition for prize candidacy, should there be interest from a collector in acquiring any work:
- Commission: São Rafael Galleries will apply a 30% commission on the final sale price.
- Coverage: This commission is designed to cover administrative invoicing expenses and the logistics of shipping the artwork directly to the final client.
Paris Event (Winning Artworks)
Winning artworks exhibited in Paris during The Haute Couture Boat event must follow this collection protocol:
- Collection Date: Artworks must be collected by the winning artists (or authorized representatives) on October 3rd.
- Timeframe: Strictly between 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM, at the conclusion of the event.
- Location: On-site at The Haute Couture Boat venue.
Artists (Finalists)
Find your answers easily
1.
Can I participate if I do not live in France?
Yes. The prize is open to artists of all nationalities, provided they are over 18 years old. While the delivery of the artwork to Cannes and Paris is the artist's responsibility, we offer a Digital Option for those who cannot ship their work physically.
Yes. The prize is open to artists of all nationalities, provided they are over 18 years old. While the delivery of the artwork to Cannes and Paris is the artist's responsibility, we offer a Digital Option for those who cannot ship their work physically.
2.
What happens if I include my name in the Descriptive Memorandum?
Immediate disqualification. To ensure total impartiality (blind evaluation), no reference to the artist's identity or CV may appear in the technical dossier fields (Phase 1). The jury must evaluate the work based solely on its merit and concept.
Immediate disqualification. To ensure total impartiality (blind evaluation), no reference to the artist's identity or CV may appear in the technical dossier fields (Phase 1). The jury must evaluate the work based solely on its merit and concept.
3.
What are the shipping costs for Cannes and Paris?
All costs for transportation, customs duties, packaging, and insurance are the sole responsibility of the artist. The organization is not responsible for any damage or loss during transport.
All costs for transportation, customs duties, packaging, and insurance are the sole responsibility of the artist. The organization is not responsible for any damage or loss during transport.
4.
How does the "Digital Option" work?
The artist may choose to participate exclusively in a virtual format. In this case, all 4 works (Main Work + Portfolio) will be displayed digitally on high-resolution screens at the Cannes showroom and during the Paris event, eliminating physical shipping costs.
The artist may choose to participate exclusively in a virtual format. In this case, all 4 works (Main Work + Portfolio) will be displayed digitally on high-resolution screens at the Cannes showroom and during the Paris event, eliminating physical shipping costs.
5.
If my artwork is sold, what is the commission?
São Rafael Galleries applies a 30% commission on the final sale price. This commission covers administrative invoicing and the logistics of shipping the work from the gallery to the final client.
São Rafael Galleries applies a 30% commission on the final sale price. This commission covers administrative invoicing and the logistics of shipping the work from the gallery to the final client.
6.
When and where should I deliver my physical artwork?
- Cannes: Between May 8th (from 3:00 PM) and May 9th (until 7:00 PM) at 53 Boulevard Carnot, 06400 Cannes.
- Paris (Winners): Between October 1st and October 2nd at 5 Rue Alfred de Musset, 92240 Malakoff.
7.
What is the "Complementary Portfolio"?
In addition to the main work for the prize, you must submit 3 works that demonstrate the consistency and maturity of your artistic career. This helps the jury understand your artistic journey beyond the competing piece.
In addition to the main work for the prize, you must submit 3 works that demonstrate the consistency and maturity of your artistic career. This helps the jury understand your artistic journey beyond the competing piece.
8.
Is there a fee to apply for the Saint Michel Honor Prize?
Yes, the registration fee is €100. However, if you are an artist who already pays the annual fee to São Rafael Galleries, your participation is included as part of your membership benefits.
Yes, the registration fee is €100. However, if you are an artist who already pays the annual fee to São Rafael Galleries, your participation is included as part of your membership benefits.
Visualize the experience
Browse through photos revealing the exhibition and gala spaces and highlights from previous events. Gain a visual preview of the art displays and the event ambiance.
Secure your attendance
Register to join the gala and exhibition. Reserve your place to experience the awards, view the artworks, and celebrate the artists.
Connect with us
galeriassaorafael@gmail.com