Submission Guidelines

2026 Creative Power Call for Art

Call for Art opens for submissions on October 31, 2025 at 8:00 am CST.

Eligibility

The Creative Power Call for Art is open to Wisconsin residents ages five and older who identify as having a disability. No documentation or disclosure of disability is required to participate.

Artists who have received Creative Power Awards in the past three years are ineligible for Creative Power Awards. However, they may still submit art and be considered for a Merit Award. An artist may have no more than one piece in the Creative Power Collection at any given time.

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

How to Submit Art

Participating artists may enter up to two original works of art to the Creative Power Call for Art. To submit artwork:

1. Complete the online submission form.
You will be asked to provide information about your art, photos of your art, an artist photo, an artist biography, an artist statement, and optional demographic information. You will receive a confirmation email with a copy of your responses when the form is successfully submitted.

2. Wait for confirmation that your submission has been accepted.
Within three days of completing the submission form, you will receive a phone call and email from an AFA staff member to confirm your art has been accepted. All art that meets the guidelines listed below will be accepted into the Creative Power Showcase.

3. Drop off or deliver your submissions to the Madison Youth Arts Center (MYArts), 1055 E Mifflin St, Madison, WI 53703.
To coordinate drop-off of physical works of art or share your digital works of art, contact Matthew Sanborn at [email protected] or 608-241-2131 ext. 205.

If shipping artwork, please address it to:
Arts for All Wisconsin
1055 E Mifflin St
Madison, WI 53703

Submission Guidelines

Submission Window

The Creative Power Call for Art submission window opens on October 31, 2025, at 8:00 am CST and closes on February 14, 2026, at 5:00 pm CST. Please note, we are unable to accept any submissions after 5:00 pm on February 14, 2026. The deadline will not be extended.

Accepted Artwork

Artists may enter up to two original works of art, including:

2-dimensional art (paintings, drawings, photography, etc.)
- Art may not exceed 24” x 36”, including any frame, or weigh over 20 pounds. Because we anticipate a large volume of submissions, we are unable to store and display art exceeding this size. If you are unsure if your art is an eligible size, please contact Matthew Sanborn, Exhibitions Manager, at [email protected] or 608-241-2131 ext. 205.
- All art meant to be displayed hanging on a wall (e.g. framed works or canvases) must be ready to hang with appropriate hanging hardware and wire already in place.
3-dimensional art (jewelry, fiber arts, sculptures, etc.)
- Art may not exceed 16” x 16” x 16”, including any frame, or weigh over 20 pounds. Because we anticipate a large volume of submissions, we are unable to store and display art exceeding this size. If you are unsure if your art is an eligible size, please contact Matthew Sanborn, Exhibitions Manager, at [email protected] or 608-241-2131 ext. 205.
Digital art (animations, digital drawings, short videos, etc.)
- Digital art submissions are only eligible for Merit Awards. Some venues that host the Creative Power Collection cannot display digital art, so we are unable to consider digital art submissions for Creative Power Awards.
- Digital art only exists in a digital format requiring a screen to experience. A digital photo of your physical art is not digital art.
- Digital entries may not exceed four minutes in length.

Content Guidelines

Because submissions are installed in public community centers, all submitted artwork must adhere to the following guidelines.

Artwork should be appropriate for children to view.
Artwork should not depict graphic or overt depictions of sexual acts or violence.
Artwork should not demonize or degrade individuals, groups, or specific political parties.

Arts for All Wisconsin reserves the right to determine if artwork adheres to these standards.

Artwork Pricing

You are welcome to list your submission for sale. AFA retains 30% of each sale, and 70% is directed to the artist. While you do have flexibility in what you choose as your purchase price, the submission sale price is capped at $500.

Awards

Juror Process

A team of three to four arts professionals survey artworks and collaborate to select award winners based on creativity, originality, and craftsmanship. The jury process is anonymized, meaning jurors review artwork without knowledge of the artist’s identity. Jurors select award-winning pieces independently of AFA staff or board members.

Awards per Age Category

Submissions are organized into four age categories, and jurors select award winners within each category.

Child (ages 5-10)
- Two Creative Power Awards: $50 cash prize and a trophy
- One Merit Award: $25 cash prize and an award certificate
Youth (ages 11-15)
- Two Creative Power Awards: $50 cash prize and a trophy
- One Merit Award: $25 cash prize and an award certificate
Young Adult (ages 16-21)
- Two Creative Power Awards: $100 cash prize and a trophy
- One Merit Award: $100 cash prize and an award certificate
Adult (ages 22+)
- Four Creative Power Awards: $375 cash prize and a trophy
- One Merit Award: $100 cash prize and an award certificate

Creative Power Awards

Creative Power Awards honor artworks for their exceptional creativity, originality, and craftsmanship. Creative Power Award winners receive a trophy and a cash prize. Upon acceptance of the Creative Power Award, pieces become the permanent property of Arts for All Wisconsin and spend three years in the Creative Power Collection. Exceptions may be made for Child and Youth Award-winning artwork.

Merit Awards

Merit Awards recognize pieces that demonstrate strong artistic merit and leave a lasting impression, whether through technique, innovation, or emotional resonance. Merit Award-winning pieces are returned to the artist. Merit Award winners receive an award certificate and cash prize.

Questions

All questions about the Creative Power Call for Art should be directed to Matthew Sanborn, Exhibitions Manager, by email ([email protected]) or phone (608-241-2131 ext. 205).

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any changes to the submission guidelines this year?

Yes, there are three significant changes.

1. The submission form must be completed by February 14, 2026, at 5:00 pm CST. The deadline will not be extended.

2. Accepted submissions must be postmarked or dropped off by February 18, 2026, at 5:00 pm CST.

3. We are unable to exhibit any art that does not comply with the size/weight requirements or content guidelines. Please review the guidelines before you submit your artwork to ensure that you have met the size/weight requirements and content guidelines.

How do I know if my art was accepted?

Within three business days of submitting your Submission Form, we will contact you by phone and email to confirm your art has been accepted into the Creative Power Showcase. As soon as you are informed that your art is accepted, ship or drop off your artwork. All art that meets the guidelines above will be accepted into the Creative Power Showcase.

What is the monetary amount of Creative Power and Merit Awards?

As listed in the Submission Guidelines, the award amounts are as follows:

Child (ages 5-10)
- Two Creative Power Awards: $50 cash prize and a trophy
- One Merit Award: $25 cash prize and an award certificate
Youth (ages 11-15)
- Two Creative Power Awards: $50 cash prize and a trophy
- One Merit Award: $25 cash prize and an award certificate
Young Adult (ages 16-21)
- Two Creative Power Awards: $100 cash prize and a trophy
- One Merit Award: $100 cash prize and an award certificate
Adult (ages 22+)
- Four Creative Power Awards: $375 cash prize and a trophy
- One Merit Award: $100 cash prize and an award certificate

How will I know if my art has won an award?

You will be contacted by AFA staff no later than March 4, 2026, if your artwork has received a Creative Power Award or a Merit Award.

What if the award amount is less than my set sale price?

The award amounts have been determined and do not change according to the purchase price set by an individual artist. If you would not like your artwork to be considered for a Creative Power Award for that reason, please let us know in your submission form.

Do I get my art back after the Creative Power Showcase is over?

Unless it wins a Creative Power Award or it is purchased while in the showcase, all art is returned to the artists.

If I win a Creative Power Award and AFA purchases my artwork, will I get it back after it tours the state for three years?

Once you accept the Creative Power Award, including the cash prize, the award-winning art becomes the permanent property of Arts for All Wisconsin, during and after its run in the Creative Power Collection. Exceptions may be made for Child and Youth Award-winning artwork.

Does my artwork need to be eligible for an award?

No, not all works submitted to our Call for Art are eligible for an award (see Guidelines). You also may choose not to be considered for an award. Some artists submit work simply to be exhibited in the annual Creative Power Showcase.

Can I set whatever price I want to for my Creative Power submission?

While you do have flexibility in what you choose as your purchase price, the submission sale price is capped at $500.

Is a photo of my artwork digital art?

No, the photo of your artwork that you enter into the submission form is not digital art. A digital photo of any physical piece of art is not considered digital art. Digital art only exists in a digital format, requiring a screen to experience the artwork.