SANDISFIELD, Mass. — The Sandisfield Arts Center announces the call for art for the 5th Annual Daniel Manacher Prize for Young Artists, an award established by Adam Manacher and Carol Birnbaum in memory of their son, Daniel Manacher.

 

"Daniel worked on different surfaces, always hand-drawn," said his parents. "He loved interacting with people in their love for art. We hope, with the Daniel Manacher Prize for Young Artists, to inspire other young artists and to assist them as they reach for their dreams."

 

The prize recognizes and encourages emerging talent in Berkshire County. The opportunity is open to young artists aged 17 to 26 who live in or attend school in Berkshire County. Submissions are welcomed across a range of visual arts, including painting, drawing, mixed media, and sculpture. 

 

Applicants should note the April 17, 2026, deadline to complete and submit their applications. There is no application fee. Details of eligibility and application requirements can be found at  sandisfieldartscenter.org.

 

The Sandisfield Arts Center is committed to inclusivity. Artists needing technical assistance due to a lack of access to a computer, camera, or internet at home to complete their application are encouraged to contact gallery@sandisfieldartscenter.org.

 

The selection process will be overseen by Virginia Overton, an American artist whose work is in the collections of the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Museum of Modern Art, New York. Finalists will be promoted in local press publications and through the Sandisfield Arts Center.

 

Applicants will be notified of the results via email no later than June 5, 2026. The biennial exhibit showcasing the finalists' work, alongside the winners of the 2025 prize, will take place, with an opening reception on Saturday, Aug. 15. The exhibit will be displayed in the Sandisfield Arts Center Gallery through the end of August.

 

For any questions regarding the application process, contact Josie Miner at gallery@sandisfieldartscenter.org.

 

The Sandisfield Arts Center, located at 5 Hammertown Rd. in Sandisfield, MA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with the mission to preserve our historic building and provide cultural and educational programs for our community. The Sandisfield Arts Center is managed by a volunteer board of directors assisted by additional volunteers and generous donors. Programs are supported, in part, by grants from the Sandisfield Cultural Council, Otis Cultural Council, New Marlborough Cultural Council, the Monterey Cultural Council, and the Massachusetts Cultural Council.