The 2025 High School Area Show at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts is accepting entries January 7 - February 16, 2025. The exhibition will be on view at the KIA  April 26 to May 25, 2025. 

The High School Area Show offers a unique opportunity for high school artists to enter a juried exhibition with the opportunity to show their work in a museum and possibly win prizes and/or college scholarships. 

CALENDAR

• Applications Open: January 7 -  February 16 (midnight ET)
• Artist Notification: March 12-14
• Artist Drop Off: April 14-19
• Awards and Opening Reception: April 25, 5:30pm-8pm
• Exhibition Opens: April 26

Who is eligible to participate?

Students in grades 9-12 who reside in the Michigan counties of: Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, or Van Buren are eligible to participate.

How many entries can I submit?

Each student artist may submit up to TWO unique works. 

Is there a fee to participate?

No. 

When is the deadline to submit?

Sunday, February 16, 2025 by midnight ET is the deadline to submit. All entries must be submitted online. Late submissions will not be accepted. Please note: Students must create a CaFE account before they are able to submit to this show. We strongly recommend you create your account early to familiarize yourself with the process before the deadline.

How will I be notified if my work was accepted?

Account holders submitting work(s) will be notified via e-mail between March 12-14, 2025. We strongly suggest using an email address that accepts external communication. School email accounts often do not. We recommend adding museumed@kiarts.org to your contact list to ensure that you will receive all communications. Please note: email will be the only form of communication used to notify students about any information regarding the High School Area Show. 

Where do I deliver my work?

Artwork must be hand delivered to the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts located at 314 S. Park St., Kalamazoo, MI, 49007. There is free parking available in lots on both South and Lovell Streets. 

Please review delivery dates carefully. Late work will not be accepted unless prior arrangements have been made.

Hand deliver accepted artworks to the KIA lobby during the following days/times: April 14-19.

Monday - Wednesday, 7:30am - 7pm, Thursday: 7:30am - 8pm, Friday - Saturday:8am - 5pm, Sunday: 12pm - 4pm.

Delivery accepted at other times by appointment only. Please email museumed@kiarts.org to schedule.

Work must remain on view for the duration of the exhibition and may not be removed before Tuesday, May 27, 2025.

Does my work need to be framed?

Yes! All wall-hung works must be framed with proper hanging devices (wires and/or “D”-rings) attached. Please note “top” where necessary. No clip frames are permitted. The KIA reserves the right to refuse or withdraw any work from the exhibition at its discretion.

If your work is accepted to the High School Area Show and you are unable to frame it due to cost, unusual shape, or medium, please contact museumed@kiarts.org to discuss possible solutions. 

How do I prepare 3-D work?

3-D work must be sturdy and able to be handled and moved safely. 

What happens if my artwork gets damaged?

All work is submitted at the owner's risk. Although every precaution will be taken, the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts is not responsible for insurance during transit or while artwork is on its premises. By submitting work, the artist waives any claim against the KIA for any loss or damage. The KIA reserves the right to refuse any work that is framed inadequately, damaged upon delivery, or misrepresented by entry image. The KIA reserves the right to refuse any entry and to withdraw any work for the exhibition at its discretion.

I'm a bit confused. Who do I contact if I have questions?

For questions about the High School Area Show at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, please contact:

Amy Hudson

museumed@kiarts.org

Who is eligible for a scholarship or award?

Any artist whose work is accepted for exhibition and gives their consent to share their contact information with the awarding colleges/universities is eligible for an award! Representatives from each college/university select their respective scholarship winners. Scholarships and awards will not be announced until the awards ceremony on Friday, April 25. 

Application Requirements

Each student artist may submit up to two original works of the artist’s own design (no AI generated images). One image per artwork will be accepted. When submitting images, please be sure they are in the correct orientation. Originality is an important consideration in jurying and direct copies of existing works of art will not accepted.

If you are submitting a 3-D work, consider submitting one collage style image if you wish multiple angles of your work to be viewed, rather than using both entries on the same work.

Since the jurying is done virtually, please make sure to submit a high quality photo.

Eligibility Criteria

Students in grades 9-12 who reside in the Michigan counties of: Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, or Van Buren counties are eligible to participate.

What is eligible work?

Artwork is eligible for inclusion in the High School Area Show when it is original art (no AI generated images) in any of the following media:

• 2-D Mixed Media
• 3-D Mixed Media
• Ceramics
• Drawing/Pastels/Prints
• Fiber/Leather
• Glass
• Jewelry
• Metal/Sculpture
• Painting
• Photography
• Printed Digital Art (Video and Audio will not be accepted)
• Wood

Only works created by a single artist are eligible. Collaborative works will not be accepted. 

Originality is an important consideration in jurying and direct copies of existing works of art are not accepted. Works of art must not exceed 6 feet (72") in any direction. 

If you have any questions about eligibility, please email museumed@kiarts.org.