the bennett prize for women figurative realists is an art prize endowed by san antonio based art collectors and philanthropists steven alan bennett and his wife dr. elaine melotti schmidt in 2016. established with a $3 million fund established at the pittsburgh foundation. it is the largest art award ever offered solely to women painters. with the stated goal of seeking to propel the careers of women figurative realist painters, the winner of the bennett prize receives $25,000 annually for each of two years to allow her to devote the time necessary to mount a solo exhibition of figurative realist paintings, which are exhibited at the muskegon museum of art and then travel the country. in addition to the sum paid to the winner, the bennett prize also offers cash awards of $1000 to each of up to ten (10) finalists selected from among the entrants.