The Baker National 2026

The Baker National 2026 (February 13– April 3, 2026) presents a national survey of contemporary art in an all-media juried exhibition. Hosted by the Holt Russell Gallery-Baker University in Baldwin City, KS

 Baker University is inviting national artists to apply to the Baker National (February13–April 3, 2026) held in the Holt-Russell Gallery on the campus of Baker University. All mediums are welcome except installation pieces, digital art and time-based pieces (videos, music, etc.). Best in Show receives 500.00 and a solo show in the Holt Russell Gallery during academic year 2027-28. Other awards are to be given at juror discretion.

The Holt-Russell Gallery is a place for student, regional and national contemporary artists to show their work in a gallery setting, serving as an educational experience for the Baker University Art Program and for the Douglas County community. 

About the Juror: 

Kent Michael Smith is an art museum leader with more than 25 years of experience in contemporary art. He currently serves as Director of the Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art at Kansas State University, where he brings an artist-centered approach to exhibition development, institutional vision, and public engagement.

Smith’s career has included leadership roles at the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art. Originally from Kansas, he maintains a deep interest in the ways place, landscape, and community shape artistic practice—a perspective that continues to inform his work with artists at regional and national levels.

Application Fee is $40.00 for up to 5 artworks

Open to all artists over 18 living in the United States.  All artwork must have been completed in the last 5 years (no earlier than 2020) and original works (no giclees’ or reproductions). Baker University faculty, staff and students are ineligible to apply to the Baker National 2026.