The 38th Northern National Art Competition will be held in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, from June 12 - July 26, 2025, at the Nicolet College Art Gallery. Began in 1987, this show is a cooperative venture between Nicolet College Arts & Enrichment and the Northern Arts Council (NAC). The Northern National Art Competition strives to showcase a cross section of contemporary art in a variety of two-dimensional mediums. Each year, hundreds of artists nationwide submit work to be considered for inclusion in this exhibition, and the art is always both visually exciting and intellectually stimulating. 

More than $8,500 in prize money will be awarded, including three $1,000 Awards of Excellence. Awards are based upon the actual artwork. 

• This renowned national juried competition is open to all US resident artists 18 years or older.
• Each artist may submit images of recent, original, artwork in any medium, including photography, fiber, and mixed media.
• All artwork MUST be 2D and hangable. (Maximum Depth 6")
• There is no theme.
• The $35 entry fee entitles the artist to submit one or two pieces for consideration. (one image per artwork). Images must accurately represent the work entered.
• Must be original work; no reproductions of artwork will be accepted.
• Artists selected as finalists will have their work exhibited (and available for purchase if desired) at the Nicolet College Art Gallery until Saturday, July 26.
• Entries may be hand delivered on Tuesday, May 20 9am-2pm or by appointment.
• Shipped work must arrive at the Nicolet College Art Gallery by Monday, May 19. Must include pre-paid return shipping label. Additional shipping details will be sent with your acceptance notice.
• Selected art must remain for the entire exhibition and awards will be distributed after the close of the show. All proceeds of sales are assigned to the artist.
• All artists are responsible for ensuring their subject matter does not include any copyright infringements. The artist waives Nicolet College and NAC of all legal responsibilities if an artist is challenged by another party for copyright infringement.
• All artists must disclose if Artificial Intelligence has been used in any way for the creation of the artwork.
• By entering work in this exhibition, the artist gives Nicolet College and NAC the right to use images for digital and print promotional purposes.
• Artists Statements will be displayed in conjunction with this exhibit alongside the artwork.
• Any artwork submitted and awarded in previous year's competition is ineligible.
• Single panel artwork is expected. Diptych will be considered and nothing with more than 3 panels as a Triptych.
• No maximum size for LxW. We kindly ask if you do have a piece with a dimension larger than 5' to reach out to us in advance of entry.

Artists, their friends, and families are encouraged to join us at our opening reception on Thursday, June 12. The opening reception is a remarkable evening in celebration of the artists whose work has been chosen for the exhibition. The public is also able to purchase tickets to this event, which includes hors d’oeuvres and refreshments. Attendees get the first peek at one of the premiere art shows in Northern Wisconsin and then join this year's judge as she shares her remarks on the curation of this prestigious national show. The intimate judge’s talk proves as wonderful as the art itself and leaves you with a deeper appreciation of the show. 

The Northern National Art Competition prides itself on providing an accomplished judge and this year is no exception.  The exhibit becomes a reflection of the lens with which the judge has placed their mark.

This year we welcome Jaleesa Johnston. She is an interdisciplinary artist, educator and curator, currently living and working in the Pacific Northwest. She holds a BA from Vassar College, an MFA from the San Francisco Art Institute and an MA from the University of Bergen in Norway. Her interdisciplinary art practice explores the ruptured space between the subjectivity and objectivity of the Black female body. She has been the recipient of the AICAD Post-Graduate Teaching Fellowship, Centrum’s Emerging Artist Residency, Open Signal’s New Media Fellowship, Performance Works NW Alembic Artist Residency and an Artist Trust Fellowship Award. Jaleesa also works as Curatorial Coordinator in the Curatorial Department at the Portland Art Museum, where she initiated and curates an ongoing exhibition series titled Conductions: Black Imaginings. Her curatorial interests and research include the residual imprint of ephemeral works in institutional spaces, with a focus on Black performance work.

Tickets for the opening reception on 6/12 will be available closer to the date. Exhibiting artists receive one complimentary ticket to the reception.

CALENDAR 2025

• Thursday, March 13: Registration deadline
• Monday, April 28: Acceptance notification
• Monday, May 19: All shipped work due
• Tuesday, May 20: Hand delivery 9am-2pm or by appointment
• Thursday, June 12: Opening Reception and Awards Announced
• Saturday, July 26: Show closes
• Tuesday, July 29: Pick up hand delivered work 9am-2pm or by appointment
• Wednesday, July 30: Repacking, Shipped work will be returned this week

Application Requirements

Open to all artists 18 years and older who are US residents.

Eligibility Criteria

Each artist may submit images of recent, original, 2D hangable artwork in any medium including photography, fiber, and mixed media. There is no theme. Images must accurately represent the work entered. The Gallery reserves the right to delete from the exhibition any work that does not conform to the entry specifications or that involves possible copyright infringement. Any use of Artificial Intelligence in creation of entered artwork must be disclosed.