Student Visual Arts Exhibition

Since 2016, the Autry has presented exhibitions of student artwork around a compelling theme. Each year we develop a theme and send out a call for submissions at the beginning of the school year. Selections for the Student Visual Arts Exhibition are made in the Spring and juried student artwork is installed in our museum galleries followed by an opening reception and awards ceremony. Grades 6-12.

ABOUT THE THEME: VISIONS OF THE HUMANITY

Humanity means all people and the things that make us human—our ideas, feelings, and actions. Humanity is more than just people—it is the shared spirit, creativity, and compassion that connect us all. Across the American West, humanity has never been perfect. Still, it has been powerful because of our ability to dream of something better and to work together to make it real. Every generation has added its voices to the ongoing story of the American West. Your vision of humanity, how you see the world and the people in it, has the power to inspire change and remind us of what it means to be human. What is your vision of humanity? How do we express who we are? What do we value? How do we care for one another? How do we show kindness and sympathy towards one another?

The Autry Museum of the American West invites students to submit original artwork for the tenth annual Student Visual Arts Exhibition: Visions of Humanity. We look forward to sharing your art at the museum.

INSTRUCTIONS & SCHEDULE

SUBMISSIONS

Submissions will be accepted from October 1, 2025, to January 30, 2026:
- Student application must be submitted online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HV2DZPB
- Completed artwork can be dropped off at the Autry’s Mary Pickford Education Center or mailed to:
  - Autry Museum of the American West
    c/o Education Department
    4700 Western Heritage Way
    Los Angeles, CA 90027
Friday, January 30, 2026, is the final deadline for both the online application submission and for the physical artwork to arrive at the Autry (not a “postmarked by” deadline).

SELECTION AND EXHIBITION

Juried results will be shared with the teachers/advisors by Friday, February 27, 2026. Teachers/advisors are kindly asked to share this information with their students.
Selected artwork will be on view Saturday, April 18, to Sunday, May 31, 2026. Artwork cannot be removed from the exhibit prior to Tuesday, June 9, 2026.
Artwork must be picked up from the Autry no later than Tuesday, September 1, 2026. Any artwork left at the Autry Museum past Tuesday, September 1, 2026, is subject to removal.
There is no entry fee.

STUDENT ARTWORK GUIDELINES

We only accept 2D WORKS OF ART:

All works of art must be original artwork created by students in grades 6-12. • All submitted artwork must be completed at the time of submission.
All entries must be labeled on the back with the name of the student, the school, and the teacher. Please note the orientation of the work.
In order to fit a standard frame, artwork must measure 5 x 7, 8 x 10, 11 x 14, 16 x 20, 20 x 30, or 22 x 32 inches. Stretched canvases will be accepted, but will not be framed by the Autry.
All forms of two-dimensional art are accepted, including, but not limited to: watercolor, graphic prints, acrylic, mixed media, oil, pastel, drawing, photography, etc.
Pastels, charcoal, and Cray-Pas must be fixed (or sealed) when submitted.
By submitting his/her artwork, the artist assumes all risks and agrees to hold the Autry harmless against any and all losses, claims, or damages.

AWARDS:

All selected entries are eligible for award recognition.