2022 KIA High School Area Show

The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts invites high school students in grades 9-12 who reside in Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, or Van Buren counties in Michigan to submit original artwork in any medium. Each student may submit up to two unique works. Artwork must not exceed 6 feet in any direction. Direct copies of existing works are not accepted. Students residing in the 6th Congressional District (Allegan, Berrien, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, or Van Buren counties) may select one 2-D piece for consideration in the 6th Congressional Art Competition, with framed works not exceeding 26" x 26" x 4" deep.

The submission deadline is Monday, February 28, 2022 by midnight. All entries must be submitted online. A $3 fee per artwork is required, payable by Saturday, April 11. Students who qualify for free or reduced lunch may waive all fees. Accepted artists will be notified via email on Thursday, March 17 and Friday, March 18, 2022. Artwork must be hand-delivered to the KIA at 314 S. Park St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007 between March 21-31 during specified hours. All 2-D work must be framed with sturdy wire for hanging, using Plexiglas rather than glass. 3-D work must be sturdy and able to be safely handled and moved. Work must remain on view through Sunday, May 22, 2022.

Any artist whose work is accepted is eligible for awards and scholarships selected by representatives from participating art schools. Scholarship awards will be announced Friday, April 8, 2022 at 6 pm during a virtual award ceremony. In 2021, nearly $1.7 million in scholarships and prizes were awarded from institutions including Cleveland Institute of Art, Western Michigan University, Kendall College of Art and Design, and others. One piece selected for the Congressional Art Competition will hang for one year in the U.S. Capitol. For questions, contact Jessica Sundstrom at [email protected] or (269) 349-7775 ext. 3161.