Creative Power

Creative Power is AFA’s core program that weaves together our annual Call for Art, the Creative Power Showcase (an exhibition of all submissions) each spring, the Creative Power Collection of award-winning visual art that travels to communities throughout Wisconsin, and the Creative Power Celebration.

Two people facing away from the camera enjoy viewing the Creative Power collection on display at the Creative Power Awards Celebration 2025.

Creative Power Overview

The Creative Power program is the cornerstone of our work, providing public recognition of the artistic talents and contributions of children and adults with disabilities across Wisconsin.

Creative Power begins with a free annual Call for Art by children and adults with disabilities. We display all Call for Art submissions in the Creative Power Showcase and invite the public to experience the artwork online and in person. Judges select prize-winning pieces from the showcase, honoring creativity, originality, and craftsmanship. Each year, ten award-winning pieces join the Creative Power Collection, a traveling exhibition that tours community spaces around Wisconsin. We honor all Call for Art submitters and award winners at the annual Creative Power Celebration. The next celebration is on April 18, 2026.

Call for Art submissions will open October 31, 2025.

Submission Guidelines

Please note that we have updated our Creative Power Call for Art submission guidelines. Prior to submitting artwork, please review the guidelines to ensure the art is able to be submitted and can be displayed.

Review Submission Guidelines

Timeline

Call for Art submission window opens: October 31, 2025, 8:00 am CST

Call for Art submission window closes: February 14, 2026, 5:00 pm CST
AFA will not extend the submission deadline past February 14. The online submission form must be completed and submitted by February 14, 2026, by 5:00 pm CST.

Artwork onsite or postmarked by: February 18, 2026, 5:00 CST

Award winners notified: March 4, 2026

Creative Power Showcase Opening Reception: March 6, 2026

Creative Power Showcase open to the public: March 6, 2026
Experience the Creative Power Showcase in person at the Madison Youth Arts Center (MYArts), 1055 E Mifflin St, Madison, WI 53703, or online.

Creative Power Celebration: April 18, 2026

Final artwork pickup: May 15, 2026

Call for Poetry

To ensure that our staff and volunteers are best prepared to accept and honor your poetry submissions, we have made the decision to postpone our Call for Poetry. Please contact AFA staff if you have questions about this decision. Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter so you know when the next Call for Poetry is announced!

Previous Award Winners

Click the links below to view award-winning pieces from previous calls for art and poetry (Note, in 2021 and 2022, Call for Poetry was part of our Call for Art).

2025 Creative Power Awards

2024 Creative Power Awards

2023 Call for Art Winners

2023 Call for Poetry Winners

2022 Call for Art and Poetry Winners

2021 Call for Art and Poetry Winners

2020 Call for Art Winners

2019 Call for Art Winners

2018 Call for Art Winners

2017 Call for Art Winners

A note on viewing: To ensure that the Creative Power Collection can be welcomed by a wide variety of viewers, including children, we implemented submission guidelines for the 2025 Creative Power Call for Art. Past submissions and award-winning artwork and poetry may contain mature or graphic themes or visual elements. We kindly ask that you take note of this and, should you decide to view the artwork and poetry from past years.

Three Merit Award winners pose for a photo. They are Stephon Ashley, Molly Solheim, and Paige Neuenschwander.

A ceramic, hand-crafted tea set sits in a glass case. This is 2024 Creative Power Award winner by Richard Berkholtz.

A crowd of people mingle while eating and drinking at the Creative Power Awards Celebration in 2025.

Generous support for Call for Art has been provided by

Support for Call for Art comes from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, The Cap Times Kids Fund, Thompson Investment Management, American Girl Fund for Children, Associated Bank, Monroe Street Framing, Evald Moulding, and Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts. Support also comes from the extraordinary individual donors that we are honored to consider our Friends.