2026 KIA High School Area Show

The High School Area Show offers a juried exhibition opportunity for high school artists to display their work in a museum with the possibility of winning cash awards and college scholarships. The exhibition is open to students in grades 9-12 who reside in the Michigan counties of Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, or Van Buren. There is no entry fee.

Eligible artwork includes original works in the following media: 2-D and 3-D mixed media, ceramics, drawing, pastels, prints, fiber, leather, glass, jewelry, metal, sculpture, painting, photography, printed digital art, wood, fashion design, graphic design, product design, and interior design. AI-generated images are not accepted. Work may not exceed six feet on any side. Students may submit up to two works, with each work requiring one high-quality image file. All wall-hung works must be framed with proper hanging devices; unframed stretched canvases are acceptable. Collaborative works and direct copies of existing artwork are not eligible.

The application deadline is February 10, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Artists will be notified via email between March 13-15, 2026. Accepted artwork must be hand-delivered to the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts (314 S. Park St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007) between March 24-29, 2026. The exhibition runs from April 11 through May 10, 2026. An awards ceremony and opening reception will be held on April 10 at 5:30 p.m. Artwork pickup is May 11-15, 2026. All work is submitted at the owner's risk; the KIA is not responsible for insurance or loss/damage during transit or while on premises.