The BEST episodes of Work of Art: The Next Great Artist

Every episode of Work of Art: The Next Great Artist ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Work of Art: The Next Great Artist!

This competitive series brings together 14 aspiring artists to compete for a solo show at a nationally recognized museum and a cash prize. Each week they are presented with a new challenge to prove their talent and skills.

Last Updated: 1/11/2026Network: BravoStatus: Ended

8.09

33 votes

#1 - The Big Show

Season 2 - Episode 10 - Aired 12/21/2011

The final contestants have been sent home to prepare a full solo exhibition. Climaxing in a large-scale gala opening at Phillips de Pury, the finalists present their collections to the judging panel, complete with guest judge KAWS, to determine who will be “The Next Great Artist.”

7.27

33 votes

#2 - Back to School

Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 11/2/2011

The remaining artists are paired with school children and have to create a piece of art inspired by them. Their workplaces areturned into a kid's art classroom.

7.26

34 votes

#3 - Art Movement

Season 2 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/19/2011

In the second challenge the artists must use their bodies in the most creative and inventive way to move from one point to the other on a certain parkour.

7.24

33 votes

#4 - Exile on Main Street

Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired 12/14/2011

The remaining artists are taken to a small town in Hudson Valley. They have to create a classic Americana artifact from materials collected from the town.

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7.22

32 votes

#5 - La Dolce Arte

Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/30/2011

The artists have to transform Fiat 500 Automobile parts in to art pieces.Performance artist and automotive designer Liz Cohen joins as guest judge.

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7.22

37 votes

#6 - The Big Show

Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 8/11/2010

The finalists are sent home to prepare a solo exhibition.

7.18

33 votes

#7 - Kitsch Me If You Can

Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 10/12/2011

The artists must use pieces of "bad" art, such as a painting of dogs playing checkers, a velvet cowboy, and a sculptural golden peacock as their canvas.

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7.18

34 votes

#8 - The Shape of Things to Come

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 6/16/2010

The artists must use a trash heap as their canvas, and Jon Kessler joins the judging panel.

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7.17

35 votes

#9 - Street Dealers

Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/16/2011

The artists are challenged to leave their mark on New York with a work that embodies the subversion of street art.

7.17

6 votes

#10 - Open to the Public

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 7/14/2010

Artists must creat a large-scale, outdoor installation piece.

7.16

37 votes

#11 - Self-Reflexive

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 6/9/2010

Flip through shots of the contestants creating innovative cover art for a classic novel to be judged by author Jonathan Santlofer!

7.13

32 votes

#12 - Natural Talents

Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 8/4/2010

Artists draw inspiration from their surroundings at a nature preserve.

7.09

32 votes

#13 - Opposites Attract

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 7/28/2010

Paired artists create works about opposing forces.

7.06

33 votes

#14 - A Shock to the System

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 6/30/2010

Artists must create a memorable piece that reflects important personal issues.

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7.06

33 votes

#15 - Ripped From the Headlines

Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 11/9/2011

The remaining artists are visiting The New York Times. There they have to find a striking headline in bins of newspapers and create an artwork, which tells the story behind the headline.

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7.03

31 votes

#16 - Judging a Book by Its Cover

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 6/23/2010

The artists must create innovative cover art for a classic novel.

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7.03

31 votes

#17 - Make it Pop

Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/26/2011

Inspired by Andy Warhol's "Campbell's Tomato Juice Box" the next great artists have to create their own piece of pop art. The winner will receive a spread in Entertainment Weekly.

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7.03

33 votes

#18 - Sell Out

Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 12/7/2011

The remaining artists are taken by Simon De Pury to the streets of New York, where they have to sell a piece of art to the public. This challenge will be executed working in teams.

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7.00

35 votes

#19 - Art That Moves You

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 7/7/2010

The artists must create a piece inspired by their drive through Manhattan.

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6.91

34 votes

#20 - Child's Play

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 7/21/2010

Artists must create a work that symbolizes the moment their artistic expression began.

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