2026 Mountain Plains Contemporary Art Biennial

The Salina Art Center invites submissions for the 2026 Mountain Plains Contemporary Art Biennial, a juried exhibition highlighting contemporary visual art from the Mountain-Plains region of the United States. As America approaches its 250th anniversary, this exhibition encourages artists to reflect on identity, place, belonging, and transformation through the lens of a region often considered the country's heartland. All themes and media are welcome. The exhibition runs May 20 – September 6, 2026, with an opening reception on June 5, 2026 from 5–7pm.

The juror is Hesse McGraw, Founder and Artistic Director of Artist Venture Fund and former Executive Director of Contemporary Arts Museum Houston. Juror-selected awards up to $5,000 will be announced at the opening reception: $2,250 for First Place, $1,500 for Second Place, $750 for Third Place, $300 for People's Choice Award, and $50 for Honorable Mention. The 2024 exhibition welcomed over 5,000 visitors and provided paid residencies and teaching opportunities for seven exhibiting artists.

Open to visual artists working in Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming. Artwork must have been completed in 2024 or 2025, and any medium is eligible. Entry fee is $35, with up to 3 artworks permitted per submission. Artists are responsible for all shipping costs and in-transit insurance, and artwork may be listed for sale with a 30% commission retained by the Art Center.