2026 Mountain Plains Contemporary Art Biennial

Call for Artists
2026 Mountain Plains Contemporary Art Biennial
Salina Art Center | May 20 – September 6, 2026
Reception: Thursday, May 21, 2026 | 5–7pm

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.

Call for Artists
2026 Mountain Plains Contemporary Art Biennial
Salina Art Center | May 20 – September 6, 2026
Reception: Thursday, May 21, 2026 | 5–7pm

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 2024 Mountain Plains Contemporary Art Biennial welcomed over 5,000 visitors and provided paid residencies and teaching opportunities for seven exhibiting artists, who served as SummerART instructors, led workshops, and gave artist talks throughout the exhibition.

The Salina Art Center is a nonprofit, contemporary art and education center with the mission "to create exchanges among art, artists, and audiences that reveal life." Located in historic downtown Salina, Kansas, the Art Center is nationally recognized for its artist-first values and community-responsive programming. It is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.

Juror: Hesse McGraw
Founder and Artistic Director, Artist Venture Fund

Hesse McGraw is a nationally respected curator, writer, and cultural strategist known for artist-centered exhibitions and public art initiatives that bridge institutions and communities. Most recently Executive Director of Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, McGraw has held leadership and curatorial roles at Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, San Francisco Art Institute, and El Dorado. His groundbreaking work spans more than 75 exhibitions and commissions, including The Rainbow by Michael Jones McKean, The Proposal by Jill Magid, and the CAMH Court by Trenton Doyle Hancock.

Awards
Juror-selected awards up to $5,000 will be announced at the opening reception:

$2,250 – First Place

$1,500 – Second Place

$750 – Third Place

$300 – People’s Choice Award

$50 – Honorable Mention

Important Dates

• Submission Deadline: January 20, 2026
• Notification of Acceptance: March 16, 2026
• CV and Insurance Values Due: March 30, 2026
• Artwork Delivery Window: May 1–10, 2026
• Exhibition Dates: May 20 – September 6, 2026
• Opening Reception: June 5, 2026 | 5–7pm
• Pickup/Return of Work: by September 18, 2026

Entry Guidelines

• Submit via CaFÉ by 11:59 PM (MST), January 20, 2026
• Entry Fee: $35
• Up to 3 artworks may be submitted
• Up to 3 image files, 1 audio file, and 1 video file per artwork (max 9 total)
• Include an artist statement (max 1,000 characters) describing your work and practice
• All decisions of the juror are final; substitutions not permitted

Shipping and Delivery
Artists are responsible for all shipping costs and in-transit insurance. Return shipping labels are required.
Work must be received ready to exhibit.

Ship or deliver to:
Salina Art Center
242 S. Santa Fe Ave
Salina, KS 67401

Packing and Preparation

Work must be shipped in sturdy, reusable crates, cartons, or containers and adequately protected against normal stresses encountered while in transit. All crates, cartons, and containers should be clearly marked with the artist’s name and address. Work must be received in ready-to-exhibit condition. 

The Art Center will not be responsible for framing, mounting, or otherwise preparing works for exhibition. When appropriate, work should be framed and preferably glazed with Plexiglas.

Insurance

The Salina Art Center will insure exhibited work wall-to-wall under its fine art policy.

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.
• Any medium is eligible.
• Work previously shown at Salina Art Center will not be considered.
• Salina Art Center staff and Board of Trustees may submit, but are not eligible for awards.
• Artwork may be listed for sale at the artist’s discretion; however, sales are not required nor influence selection. The Salina Art Center retains a 30% commission on all sales. Artists will receive payment within 30 days of the exhibition’s close.