For peoples living across the American West, the future has long been an inspiration for dreams, fears, hopes, and actions. Millions of people have headed to the American West in the hopes of securing a better future. Others have viewed the future as an opportunity to reach new horizons, and still others fear what the future might bring. As the present turned into the past, it is those actions, those dreams, those hopes and fears that fill today’s history books and shed light on how those who came before us viewed the future. What do you think the future holds for you? For Los Angeles? For California? For the American West? What do you think the world will look like, sound like, feel like in ten years, fifty years, one hundred years, or even a thousand years? 

We call on the students of the American West to share with us their visions of the future, and we look forward to sharing your visions of the future at the Autry Museum.

Artwork Lesson- Student Visual Arts Exhibition: Artwork Lesson
Artwork Lesson Student Response Sheet- Student Visual Arts Exhibition: Artwork Lesson - Student Response Sheet

SUBMISSIONS

• Student application must be submitted online: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AutryStudentVisualArts2025 
• Completed artwork must be submitted to the Autry by dropping it off at the Autry's Mary Pickford Education Center OR mailing it to the address below. 
• Mailing artwork: If you mail your artwork to the address below, and are located outside of Los Angeles County, please contact Katherine Herman at kherman@theautry.org or (323) 495-4300 to coordinate the return of your artwork by mail. If you send artwork by mail, and are located within Los Angeles County, the Autry cannot guarantee the artwork will be returned to you by mail. 
  • Autry Museum of the American West c/o Katherine Herman, Education Office 4700 Western Heritage Way Los Angeles, CA 90027
• Dropping off artwork: Please call or email Katherine Herman to coordinate artwork drop off at (323) 495-4300 or kherman@theautry.org. 

Final deadline for both the online application submission and for the physical artwork to arrive at the Autry (not a “postmarked by” deadline) is Saturday, February 8, 2025. 

SELECTION AND EXHIBITION 

• Juried results will be shared with teachers/advisors by Monday, March 10, 2025. Teachers and advisors are kindly asked to share this information with their students. 
• Selected artwork will be on view Saturday, April 26, 2025 through Sunday, June 1, 2025.

POST EXHIBITION 

• Artwork pick up: Monday, June 16, 2025 to Sunday, August 17, 2025 
• Any artwork left at the Autry Museum past Sunday August 17, 2025 is subject to disposal. 
• Please email Meghan Selway at mselway@theautry.org to coordinate retrieval of artwork. For in-person pick up, we require 72 hours notice prior to when you want to retrieve the artwork. 

Artwork cannot be removed from the exhibit prior to Sunday, June 1, 2025

All works of art must be:

• Original artwork.
• Created by students in grades 6-12.
• Two-dimensional art (including, but not limited to: watercolor, graphic prints, acrylic, mixed media, oil, pastel, drawing, photography, etc.).
• Completed at the time of submission.

All artwork submissions must:

• Be labeled on the back with the name of the student, the school, the teacher, and the orientation of the work.
• Measure 5 x 7, 8 x 10, 11 x 14, 16 x 20, 20 x 30, or 22 x 32 inches. 

Notes:

• If you are submitting a framed piece, please ensure the frame is black with a white mat (if matted). 
• Stretched canvases will be accepted but will not be framed by the Autry. 
• Pastels, charcoal, and Cray-Pas must be fixed (or sealed) when submitted. 

There is no entry fee. All selected entries are eligible for award recognition. By submitting their artwork, the artist assumes all risks and agrees to hold the Autry harmless against any and all losses, claims, or damages.