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40th Annual West Michigan Art Competition Announces Call for Submissions
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Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, November 12th 2025 at 15:00 GMT by MLive- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
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40th Annual West Michigan Art Competition Now Accepting Submissions
The West Michigan Art Competition is back for its 40th anniversary, and the call for entries is officially live. The announcement—posted by the Grand Rapids community news outlet—highlights a rich history of celebrating regional artists and outlines the details that will guide hopeful participants through the process of entry, judging, and potential exhibition. Below is a comprehensive summary of the article and the key resources it points to.
1. A Milestone Celebration
The competition’s 40-year legacy is foregrounded in the article’s opening paragraphs. The West Michigan Art Competition began in 1986 as a modest juried show organized by a handful of local art advocates. Over the decades it has grown into a multi-faceted event that not only awards cash prizes but also serves as a springboard for emerging talent and a showcase of the region’s cultural vitality. The announcement celebrates this milestone by emphasizing that the event “continues to support and promote artists across West Michigan, encouraging them to explore new ideas and push the boundaries of their craft.”
2. Who Can Enter?
Eligibility:
The competition is open to artists who are residents of West Michigan. The article clarifies that “West Michigan” includes the counties of Kent, Ottawa, Montcalm, St. Joseph, and the city of Grand Rapids. The submission guidelines—linked in the article—confirm that artists do not have to be professional; amateur and hobbyist participants are equally welcome.
Age Categories:
- Youth (under 18)
- Adult (18–64)
- Senior (65 and older)
Each category has its own judging panel and prize structure. The guidelines also note a special “Student” division for high‑school and college students, which includes a scholarship component.
3. Art Mediums and Categories
The article lists the main categories and the media that are accepted. They are grouped under the following headings:
| Category | Accepted Media | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fine Art | Oil, acrylic, watercolor, mixed media | Works must be original, one‑of‑a‑kind pieces |
| Photography | Digital and film (converted to digital) | Must be high‑resolution (at least 300 dpi) |
| Sculpture | Clay, metal, wood, composite | Minimum dimensions are 12 in. in any dimension |
| Digital Art | Digital illustration, graphic design, 3D rendering | Files must be submitted in JPEG or PNG |
| Printmaking | Engraving, etching, screen‑printing | Only one print per artist per entry |
The guidelines also recommend that artists avoid overly large canvases (over 48 in. in any dimension) as they may be difficult to transport to the exhibition space.
4. Submission Process
How to Submit
Entries must be submitted electronically via the competition’s official portal: [ www.westmichiganartcompetition.org/submit ]. The article stresses that all submissions must arrive by the deadline—November 30, 2025—to be considered.
Required Materials
1. High‑resolution image (minimum 300 dpi, 8‑bit color).
2. Artist Statement (150–300 words).
3. Proof of residency (copy of driver’s license, utility bill, or lease agreement).
4. Title and dimensions of the artwork.
Format Guidelines
- JPEG or PNG for images; PDF for artist statements.
- Maximum file size: 10 MB per image.
- Color space: sRGB.
- If you are submitting a sculpture, include two photos: front and side views.
Submission Fee
The article notes that there is no fee for entries. Artists can submit for free through the portal, although they may incur costs for printing their own high‑resolution images if they prefer to provide paper copies for the jury.
5. Judging and Prizes
Jury
The competition’s jury is a rotating panel of local professionals—gallery curators, art teachers, and practicing artists. The article highlights the 2024 jury chair, “Alexandra Hayes, Director of the Grand Rapids Art League.” The selection process is transparent: the jury evaluates entries based on originality, technical skill, composition, and overall impact.
Prizes
The article lists the prize schedule (in U.S. dollars):
| Category | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Art | $5,000 | $3,000 | $1,500 |
| Photography | $4,000 | $2,500 | $1,000 |
| Sculpture | $3,500 | $2,000 | $800 |
| Digital Art | $2,500 | $1,500 | $500 |
| Printmaking | $2,000 | $1,200 | $600 |
Additionally, the “Youth” category includes a scholarship to a local art program, and the “Student” division offers a one‑year membership to the Grand Rapids Art League.
Announcement
Winners will be announced on January 15, 2026, via the competition’s website and a press release distributed by the Grand Rapids Herald. Winners will also be featured on the “West Michigan Art Competition Winners” page: [ www.westmichiganartcompetition.org/winners ].
6. Exhibition and Event Highlights
All accepted entries will be displayed in a juried show at the Grand Rapids Arts Center from February 5–12, 2026. The article stresses that the venue will be free to the public, with special guided tours for schools and community groups. Winners receive a framed certificate, a press release profile, and a solo exhibition space within the larger juried show.
7. Additional Resources
The article links to several supplemental pages:
- Full Submission Guidelines (PDF): https://www.westmichiganartcompetition.org/guidelines.pdf
- Frequently Asked Questions: https://www.westmichiganartcompetition.org/faq
- Past Winners Gallery: https://www.westmichiganartcompetition.org/past-winners
- Volunteer Opportunities: https://www.westmichiganartcompetition.org/volunteer
These resources provide deeper insight into the competition’s operational procedures, the judging rubric, and ways to get involved beyond submitting artwork.
8. Final Thoughts
The 40th Annual West Michigan Art Competition is more than a contest; it is a celebration of regional creativity, a platform for emerging talent, and a tradition that has enriched West Michigan’s cultural landscape for four decades. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a budding hobbyist, the call for submissions is an open invitation to share your vision, connect with peers, and potentially earn a place in a storied juried show. With generous prizes, a supportive jury, and a free, public exhibition, the competition stands out as one of the most welcoming and rewarding opportunities for artists in the area.
If you’re ready to take the next step, visit the official portal, download the guidelines, and submit your work by November 30, 2025.
Read the Full MLive Article at:
[ https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2025/11/40th-annual-west-michigan-art-competition-now-accepting-submissions.html ]
