Call Description

The Bruce Museum in Greenwich, CT, invites current regional high school students (grades 9-12) to submit entries for iCreate 2026, an annual, juried art exhibition.

For almost 20 years, iCreate has showcased the talents of hundreds of regional high school students. This year, selected artwork will be featured in an exhibition from June 13 to August 23, 2026, in the Susan and Bill Mahoney Gallery Lobby, and all submitted artwork will be recognized in a video presentation featured in the exhibition and the Museum’s website

The opening celebration will recognize the selected students and award prizes to the top submissions, determined by the jury and the high school interns curating the exhibition. A People’s Choice Award will be awarded in late August, allowing the public to vote for their favorite piece.

Schedule

March 2–April 6, 2026: Digital portal open for submissions

April 6–17, 2026: First round of judging digital submissions

April 20–May 1, 2026: Students informed if artwork is selected for in-person judging; students must drop off artwork at Museum during this time

May 4–15, 2026: In-person judging by a select committee of Museum staff, supporters, and art professionals

May 18–22, 2026: Students informed of final decision; artwork not selected for exhibition must be picked up at Museum

June 13, 2026: Exhibition opens to the public (Opening celebration date TBD.)

August 24, 2026: Exhibition closes to the public

August 25-28, 2026: Artwork pickup at the Museum

Awards  

Cash prizes will be awarded in the following amounts: 1st: $500, 2nd: $300, 3rd: $200, and three Honorable Mentions: $100. People’s Choice Award: $350 will be awarded in late August, allowing the public to vote online and in person for their favorite art submission.

Awards will be presented by the high school interns curating the exhibition at the opening reception. (Date TBD)

Questions?

Please reach out to the Bruce staff at education@brucemuseum.org

Leadership support for iCreate is provided by The David T. Langrock Foundation.

Application Requirements

Artwork Criteria

• Entries are limited to two-dimensional original works in oil, watercolor, acrylic, tempera, gouache, pastel, any drawing medium, traditional printmaking forms (such as relief, etching, stone lithograph, and serigraph), mixed media, photography, and works generated digitally by computer.
• Three-dimensional work and any pieces created with the use of generative artificial intelligence tools and features at any stage of the creative process are strictly prohibited.
• Entries should be no more than 20 inches by 28 inches (unframed) and no more than 4 inches in depth.

Eligibility Criteria

Student Qualifications

• Must be a current high school or home school student (grades 9-12).
• Student must be able to drop off artwork at the Bruce if it is selected for in-person judging in April 2026. Student must also be able to pick up their artwork at the end of judging or, if selected, at the end of the exhibition. The Museum will not pick up or return any artwork.
• Students who are working as high school interns on the iCreate exhibition may not submit artwork.
• Each student is limited to one artwork submission.