Art & Soul of the Magic Valley 2026

Enter work now for a chance at up to $50,000 in prize money!

The Magic Valley Arts Council is pleased to announce the 16th annual Art & Soul of the Magic Valley, to be held June 5 - 27, 2026 in Twin Falls, Idaho (and surrounding communities). We are seeking entries from artists around the world to participate in this community-wide event!

Enter work now for a chance at up to $50,000 in prize money!

The Magic Valley Arts Council is pleased to announce the 16th annual Art & Soul of the Magic Valley, to be held June 5 - 27, 2026 in Twin Falls, Idaho (and surrounding communities). We are seeking entries from artists around the world to participate in this community-wide event!

Art & Soul of the Magic Valley is a major non-juried art competition held in and around Twin Falls, Idaho, from June 5 to June 27, 2026. Artists worldwide are invited to submit one artwork for a chance to win up to $50,000 in prize money. The competition is unique as all submitted artworks will be physically displayed in local businesses serving as pop-up art galleries. Winners will be determined by public vote during the event, which attracts around 40,000 attendees, making it one of the most beloved art shows in the Western US.

Key Information:

• Eligibility: Open to anyone.
• Entry: Each artist or group can submit only one entry in one category, with a $50 non-refundable entry fee. Withdrawal or failure to deliver after entry incurs a $250 fee.
• Voting: Public voting takes place, and voters must register within 10 miles of the Magic Valley Arts Council. Voters can cast one vote per piece, and may vote for as many pieces as they wish.
• Prizes: Up to $50,000 will be distributed to as many as 98 artists. Prizes include Grand Prize, Second, Third, and Fourth overall, as well as category-specific awards.
• Categories: Category for entry is determined by artwork medium. Magic Valley Arts Council reserves the right to edit artist categories if necessary.
• Winner Selection: Winners will be determined by public vote and announced in person at the Awards Ceremony on July 10, 2025, then via email no later than July 14, 2026.
• Artwork Sale: Artwork may be listed for sale, with a 20% commission payable to the Magic Valley Arts Council for sales between May 1 and August 1, 2026.

This event provides artists with an opportunity to showcase their work, engage with a wide audience, and compete for substantial prize money through a public voting process.

Awards Prospectus

Main contest prize money breakdown:

• Grand Prize - $12,000
• 2nd Place - $6,000
• 3rd Place - $3,000
• 4th Place - $1,500

  In each qualified category*:

• Best in Show winner - $1,000
• 2nd Place - $150
• 3rd Place - $100
• 4th Place - $50

*A qualified category is one that has at least 10 entries in that category.

Important Information:

• Artwork must be physically displayed in a registered contest venue. Venues will select the works they wish to display.
• Each entry must be sponsored by a registered sponsor. Artists are encouraged to find a sponsor - this can be anyone: family, friends, local-to-you businesses, art guilds that you may belong to, or you may even choose to self-sponsor. The sponsorship fee is $100, and the fee helps to offset the cost of entry for artists to keep this affordable for all to participate. Sponsors may register online here: https://www.magicvalleyartandsoul.com/submit-sponsor-form/ or they can call the Magic Valley Arts Council at #208-734-2787 for more information.
• Artwork must be installed in Twin Falls, ID by June 1, 2026, unless approved otherwise. If you ship your artwork to Twin Falls, it must be received a minimum of two weeks prior to the beginning of the competition.
• Artist registration must be received by midnight on March 31, 2026.
• Venue and sponsor matching agreements must be completed by May 20, 2026.
• Only original work is eligible for submission. The artist is responsible for ensuring the work does not infringe on any third-party rights. Work created from kits or patterns is not allowed for entry.
• ALL AI (artificial intelligence) usage must be disclosed upon entry and use of AI will be included on the Artist Statement sheet for voter review. This includes Photoshop generative fill and/or using any AI image generation whether for reference inspiration or as part of the actual final work. If AI was used and not disclosed, the artist will be automatically disqualified.
• Artist is responsible for transportation, installation, and removal of their entry, unless otherwise coordinated with Magic Valley Arts Council. Some fees may apply.
• Liability, security, and meeting state and local codes are the artist's responsibility.
• Artwork entered in previous Art & Soul contests is not allowed.
• Grand Prize Winner is not eligible to enter the following year.
• Artwork may be listed for sale; a 20% commission fee applies for sales between May 1 and August 1, 2026.
• Entries sold during the contest dates can be removed only at the close of the contest.
• Art & Soul reserves the right to use artist information and imagery for promotional purposes.

Please prepare the following information prior to completing the application. A photo of the finished work must also accompany the completed application. This photo will be used in the program, on the website, AND on the voting portal - please make sure it is a clear and accurate representation of the work being entered.

• Full name
• Address (will not be posted publicly)
• City / State / Country
• Email Address (will not be posted publicly)
• Phone Number (will not be posted publicly)
• Category of Entry (determined by primary medium of artwork. See list of eligible categories below:)
  • Acrylic
  • Ceramic
  • Digital
  • Drawing
  • Fiber
  • Glass
  • Mixed Media
  • Mural / Street Art
  • Oil
  • Original Art Quilt
  • Pastel
  • Photography
  • Printmaking
  • Sculpture 3' and under
  • Sculpture OVER 3'
  • Uncategorized
  • Watermedia
  • Wearable
  • Woodworking
• Artwork Title
• Dimensions
• Installation Location (indoor / outdoor)
• Specific Installation Requirements (if required - for example, a metal plate to bolt a sculpture to, large wall anchors, ceiling-hung, etc. Complicated installations must be completed by Artist.)
• Piece for sale? (yes / no)
• Price of piece (keep in mind 20% commission retained by MVAC, please price accordingly)
• Artificial Intelligence Disclosure
• Artist Statement (1000 max characters, please keep it brief. The statement should talk about the piece, the process, and/or the artist.)

Art Categories

The submission is open to all visual artists creating original artworks in 2 and 3-dimensional media.

Visual Arts Categories: 

Acrylic, Ceramic, Digital, Drawing, Fiber, Glass, Mixed Media, Mural / Street Art, Oil, Original Art Quilt, Pastel, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture 3' and under, Sculpture OVER 3', Uncategorized, Watermedia, Wearable, and Woodworking are accepted.

Style
All styles are accepted.

Size
There is no size limit for submitted artworks.

Duration
There is no limit for artwork creation year.
Artwork MUST be able to be physically present and on display in and around Twin Falls, Idaho during the competition (June 5 - 27, 2026)

Originality and Rights
Artworks must be entirely the work of the entrant. No kits or patterns will be accepted.

Entries must not be copies or derivatives based in any way on other copyrighted or published paintings, photographs or other artistic work unless you have received the express written permission of the copyright holder. Any infraction of this rule will result in serious consequences.
Artist should have all the rights for presenting and publishing the artworks internationally.

Availability

Artwork may be listed for sale, but it is not required to be for sale in order to participate.

Number of Artworks

Artists may submit 1 piece of original artwork, or 1 series of original work. If submitting a series, the entire body of work must be shown in the photo included with this application. 

Other

Artworks that, in reasonable view of the organizer, include porn, violence, racial or religious hatred, inappropriate and/or offensive content, are not admissible.