PhotoSpiva 2021

PhotoSpiva is a national photography competition hosted annually by Spiva Center for the Arts in Joplin, Missouri. Founded in 1977, PhotoSpiva is the longest-running photographic competition of its kind in the U.S. The competition presents an exhibition celebrating the scope and vigorous activity of contemporary photographers. Selected work will be displayed from March 20 to May 15, 2021. Jurors are carefully selected from the nation's most merited photographers and curators, with different jurors chosen each year.

PhotoSpiva is open to any amateur or professional photographer in the United States or its territories. Submitted images must be the photographer's own work, and photographers are solely responsible for obtaining written releases from any recognizable persons depicted. Two-dimensional work derived from any photographic process—traditional, digital, or photo-based mixed media—is eligible as long as the work is original and has never been exhibited at George A. Spiva Center for the Arts. Three-dimensional work is not eligible. Images must be JPEG formatted in RGB color mode, with a guideline of approximately 1600 pixels for either width or height while maintaining aspect ratio.

Entry requires a $40 fee for five photos minimum. Additional images beyond five cost $10 each. All images must be entered in the same application at one time. Awards include 1st Place ($1,000), 2nd Place ($750), 3rd Place ($500), three Merit Awards ($150 each), and three Honorable Mentions ($100 each). All entrants will be notified of acceptance or declination via email during the first week of February 2021.