All Art Connection Members are eligible to participate. Membership fees must be current. To join or renew, go to the Art Connection page or call the IAC Box Office at 972.252.ARTS (2787).

Art Connection members who are employed by the Arts Center or who serve on the Irving Arts Board, as well as their families, may participate in the exhibition, but are not eligible for cash awards.

PLEASE NOTE: Youths under the age of 14 may participate only if they are part of a household with a Smithsonian Affiliate/Family Membership or above. Student Memberships are for individuals age 14 and older.

• All entries must be original works completed within the last two years. Entries that have been in any previous exhibition at the Irving Arts Center (IAC) are ineligible.
• Eligible media include: painting, sculpture, ceramics, drawing, printmaking (hand-pulled graphics), digital printmaking, photography, textiles, fiber and mixed media. Work that is in violation of copyright and trademark laws is ineligible.
• Art Connection Members of all ages, including youths, will be participating in the Members Exhibition. Please submit work that is suitable for family viewing.  
• IMAGES ARE REQUIRED since this is a virtual exhibit. 
• Guidelines for digital images: File size limit of 5MB per image. Only 1 image per entry. Please rename your images “Lastname-Firstname-ArtworkTitle” (for example, “smith-john-cowsinalandscape.jpg”)
• Acceptable file format and extensions are .JPG .GIF .TIF 
• Please submit your best photographs. Images need to be in focus with the artwork well-lit, centered and cropped accordingly. (No background clutter or distractions behind the artwork.) We prefer high quality images at least 300 DPI. If you need assistance with image editing, contact Dave Reedy.
• Any final decision regarding acceptance of a particular image will be at the discretion of IAC staff.
• By participating in the show, the artist gives the IAC the right to use digital images of the art work for promotional purposes. 

• Entry fees must be pre-paid before submitting images online. Please visit https://www.irvingartscenter.com/get-involved/art-connection or call the IAC Box Office at 972.252.ARTS (2787)
• Entry Fees: $5 entry fee per piece; maximum of two pieces of art work per member. Entry fees will be waived for Art Connection Members who have a Patron level membership or above. All fees are non-refundable.
• DEADLINE for Entry: August 22, 11:59 p.m. CST
• An online entry form must be filled out and signed by the artist (or parent/legal guardian if the participant is a minor). 

• Deadline for Entries: August 22, 2020 at11:59 p.m. CST
• Images will be posted in an online exhibition (www.irvingartscenter.com) for public view by August 30, 2020
• Awards will be announced on August 30, 2020

Participating members are invited to create artwork that reflects on the unprecedented and challenging times we are living in --- the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing protests against systemic racism, societal and economic uncertainty and other related issues are some topics members may wish to address. Special prizes will be awarded to members who choose to compete in this category.

$1,800 in cash prizes will be awarded. Members may enter in one of three categories: Youth (17 years old and younger), Non-Professional and Professional.* 

Prizes will be awarded at the discretion of the 2020 awards judge, Greg Metz.

Best of Show: $300

Youth:

• 1st - $150
• 2nd - $100
• 3rd - $50

Non-Professional:

• 1st - $200
• 2nd - $150
• 3rd - $100

Professional:

• 1st - $250
• 2nd - $200
• 3rd - $150

Cash prizes for the optional 2020 thematic/design challenge (“Signs of the Times”) will also be awarded in each category. ($50; one prize per category.)

(*Artists who make all or part of their income from the sale of their art work are considered Professional for the purposes of this competition.)

Purchasing inquiries will be forwarded to participating artists. All sales transactions are directly between the artist and the buyer. The artist is liable for all taxes and a 20% commission payable to the Irving Arts Center is required. Payment should be made by the Artist/Lender to the IAC within 30 days of the purchase. Works not for sale should be listed “NFS” on the entry form.

Marcie Inman, Director of Exhibitions & Educational Programs

(972) 252-7558 x1225 or minman@cityofirving.org.

Submission to this exhibition constitutes the Member's agreement to all conditions of this show as listed.