Colorado State University Inaugural President’s Art Prize

Colorado State University’s current students and young alumni (graduated in or after 2019), regardless of major, are invited to submit artworks for consideration in the juried inaugural President’s Art Prize. 

Selected artists will receive a cash award and have their work displayed at Magnolia House, the official residence of CSU’s President Amy Parsons. As a site that regularly hosts university gatherings and distinguished guests, the President’s House offers meaningful opportunities for professional visibility, recognition, and connection within both academic and broader cultural circles. 

Celebrating the arts and student creativity is central to CSU’s mission. The President’s Art Prize showcases exceptional and innovative works that reflect the diverse creative perspectives of the CSU community. Organized in partnership between the College of Liberal Arts and the Office of the President. 

Colorado State University’s current students and young alumni (graduated in or after 2019), regardless of major, are invited to submit artworks for consideration in the juried inaugural President’s Art Prize. 

Selected artists will receive a cash award and have their work displayed at Magnolia House, the official residence of CSU’s President Amy Parsons. As a site that regularly hosts community gatherings and distinguished guests, the President’s House offers meaningful opportunities for professional visibility, recognition, and connection within both academic and broader cultural circles. 

This opportunity includes professional development through mentorship with arts leaders and is open to students and young alumni from all majors, encouraging creative expression from a wide range of disciplines. As an annual initiative, the Prize serves as a launchpad for emerging talent, reinforcing CSU’s dedication to the arts. 

1. Awards 

Monetary awards will be offered to 9 artists: 

• 1 × $500 President’s Art Prize (Grand Prize)
• 3 × $250 Awards of Distinction
• 5 × $150 Honorable Mentions

Exhibition Opportunity 

Selected artworks will be professionally installed at the President’s House for one year. President Amy Parsons will personally introduce the art and artists to guests throughout the year. 

Additional Benefits 

• Institutional Recognition & Exposure: Recognition at the Spring 2026 reception, plus networking opportunities.
• Mentorship: One-on-one mentorship meeting with jurors and access to an expanded arts community.
• Documentation & Promotion: Feature on university webpage and promotional video distributed through university media channels.

2. Exhibition   

Magnolia House, the official residence of the CSU President, features warm, sophisticated interiors inspired by historic manors with a modern sensibility. The space is well-suited for displaying visual art in a domestic setting. 

Given the architectural character, small- to medium-scale artworks are best suited. Sample dimensions (not prescriptive): 

2D Works: 

• Samples:
  • 24×24”
  • 36×40”
  • 60×60”

3D Works: 

• Several opportunities for small pieces (<20” on the longest side)
• One opportunity for a larger sculpture (<30×40×72”)

These examples help applicants envision the space; works outside these ranges are welcome if they can be reasonably accommodated. 

All artistic styles are welcome. Works that thoughtfully engage the home’s traditional interiors—through harmony, contrast, or tension—often activate the space in compelling ways. 

3. Artwork Display and Delivery 

• Preference for installation-ready artworks (e.g. framed, wired); additional install support available for selected works.
• Artists are encouraged to deliver artworks in person when possible; delivery support may be provided as needed.

4. Award Ceremony 

A reception and award ceremony will be held in Spring 2026 at the President’s House, with university leadership, faculty, alumni, donors, and community guests in attendance. Winning artists will be introduced and invited to speak briefly about their work. 

5. Jurors 

Winners will be selected by a juried panel, including artist Jasmine Holmes, entrepreneur Martha McGee, arts organizational leader Christian Gaines, and student curators Maximus Vogt and Anna Coons. Please visit our web page for more information on jurors.

Applicant Information 

Name, email, phone, current city/state, CSU graduation year, and major. 

Submission Quantity 

Up to two media files total: 

• Two different artworks, or
• Two images of a single artwork

A maximum of two artworks may be entered. 

Artworks must be created in 2020 or later.

File Titles 

• Format: LastName_FirstName_Entry# (e.g. Smith_Jane_1)

Work Samples: Images (for 2D or 3D artworks) 

All media welcome (painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, printmaking, textiles, ceramics, metalsmithing, mixed media, etc.). 

Use professional-quality images (lighting, focus, staging).

• File Format
  • JPEG or JPG only
• File Size
  • Maximum: 5 MB
• Dimensions
  • Minimum: 1,200 pixels on the longest side
• Resolution
  • 72 - 300 PPI

Work Samples: Video (for time-based artworks only) 

Submit videos only if your artwork is time-based (e.g. animation, moving image, performance, sonic art).

• File Format
  • MP4
• File Size
  • Maximum: 100 MB
• Dimensions
  • Minimum: 1,200 pixels on the longest side
• Resolution
  • Minimum: 640 x 480 pixels
  • Maximum: 1920 x 1080 pixels
• Aspect Ratio
  •  4:3 or 16:9
• Bit Rate
  • Recommended: above 240 kbps
• Frame Rate
  • Minimum: 12 fps
  • Recommended: 30 fps

Artist Statement 

Up to 1,000 characters, including spaces.

• Open to all current CSU students and alumni who graduated in 2019 or later, all majors welcome.
• Submissions must be original artworks created in 2020 or later.
• Jurors will evaluate: artistic merit, originality, craftsmanship, and suitability for the President’s House.