45th Annual Michigan Fine Arts Competition

The Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center (BBAC), a nonprofit community art center serving the Detroit region, has hosted the Michigan Fine Arts Competition annually since 1982 when the Detroit Institute of Arts turned the statewide competition over to the BBAC. Every year, more than 600 artists from Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois & Wisconsin enter the competition. The MFAC is juried by artist(s) or curator(s) of distinction, who select current works of the highest quality. Cash awards support working artists, while recognizing the contributions they make to the cultural fabric of our region.

DATES & DEADLINES

• Online Application Process Opens --- February 9, 2026
• APPLICATION DEADLINE --- MAY 14TH, 2026
• Juror Results --- Friday, May 29 --- All accepted artists will be posted on BBAC website by 5 PM, BBArtCenter.org. Accepted & declined artists will be sent an email. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.
• Intake of Accepted Artwork --- Monday – Friday, June 8 - 12, 10 AM–4 PM
• Award Notification (by email) --- Thursday, June 18 (by the end of the day)
• Exhibition Opens -  Friday, June 19, 5 – 7 PM
• Exhibition Closes -  Thursday, August 13, 4 PM
• Exhibition Outtake  - Friday, August 14 & Saturday, August 15, 10 AM–4 PM

ENTRY FEE: $40 (non-refundable) payable online by Visa, MasterCard, Amex or PayPal only. 

ENTRY PROCESS

All applications will be processed online through CaFÉ™ at www.CallForEntry.org. CaFÉ™ is free to participating artists and includes detailed tutorials. After reviewing our prospectus AND the CaFÉ™ tutorial, if you have questions contact us via phone or email, and we will assist you. (248.644.0866; exhibitions@BBArtCenter.org - please put MFAC in the subject line) 

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• An artist may submit up to two (2) entries. The $40 fee covers one or both entries.
• One image is permitted per each submitted work of art.

IMAGE INSTRUCTIONS FOR ENTRY/ENTRIES

• Please refrain from using/showing your name in the image(s). Do not include borders.
• Images of 3D work must include all components intended for display.
• Please DO provide specific details; e.g., oil on panel; mixed media – clay, wood & found objects (not just “mixed”); acrylic on canvas with sewing threads, etc. The juror wants to know as much as possible about your artwork.
• Entries will be juried online only.

LOGISTICS

• All artwork displayed at the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center (BBAC) shall be the original work of the artist. No reproductions will be accepted. No canvas wrapped copies or Editions over 100.
• 2D WORK MUST BE PROPERLY WIRED FOR HANGING WITH WIRE OR D-RINGS! No sawtooth hangers or hang tabs.
• Each accepted work must be identified with the following information: Artist Name, Address, Phone #, Email Address; Title; Media; and Price/NFS. (If the work is NFS – not for sale – an insurance value must be stipulated or the work will not be accepted for the exhibit.)
• The BBAC will accept responsibility for the works of art during the exhibition, but will not be responsible for any works delivered in damaged condition. Artists wishing to otherwise insure their work should contact their insurance agents directly.
• The BBAC is not responsible for work damaged if it is not picked up by 4 PM August 15, 2026. Artists whose work is not picked up by that time will incur late charges of $10/day. 
• Artwork not collected within 90 days of the close of the exhibition will be considered property of BBAC.
• Condition reports will be made for each work upon arrival. Artists must note the number of parts or pieces per entry if more than one part or piece.
• All work submitted MUST be available for the exhibition dates. Work MAY NOT, for any reason, be removed from the exhibit prior to the end of the exhibit.
• Maximum height of any artwork is 9' (ceilings: 10'). Weight restrictions will be dealt with on a case by case basis.  

AGREEMENT

• Submission of a work for jurying shall constitute an agreement to comply with all the conditions set forth in this prospectus. The BBAC and juror reserve the right to a final selection of accepted works. Decisions made by the BBAC and juror are final.
• The juror and/or BBAC may exercise the right to reject any work not accurately represented by image; work that is not gallery ready to be hung by wire; work that fails to meet eligibility requirements; work that exceeds gallery size or weight limitations; or work that is not shipped properly or does not arrive on time.
• All accepted work will remain as placed by the installation team and may not be withdrawn before the close of the exhibit.
• If a piece is of a delicate nature or easily damaged, please work with the exhibitions coordinator during intake for placement and installation.
• The maximum value or price of a work of art may not exceed $25,000 without the artist providing an insurance rider for the additional amount.

SALES

• Artists are strongly encouraged to submit art that will be for sale.
• Work available for sale will be sold at the price indicated on the entry form only. No price changes permitted after acceptance into the exhibit.
• A 45% commission is retained by the BBAC on all sales made during the exhibition, to support the competition and the BBAC’s exhibition, education, and ArtAccess programs. The BBAC is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization.

About the Juror: Marshall N. Price, Ph.D.

BBAC Gallery Summer Hours
 

About the BBAC
The Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center has been providing “art for all” since 1957 and is a regional non-profit art center committed to promoting visual arts experiences.  Each year more than 500 classes are offered for all skill levels and ages preschool to senior citizens.  Throughout the year, nearly 9,000 individuals are served by classes, workshops, art camps, ArtAccess programs, special events,  and exhibitions that are free and open to the public (with an additional 75,000 impacted by Art Birmingham, the BBAC’s annual fine art fair).   The BBAC also supports hundreds of artists each year, with opportunities to teach, exhibit, and sell their work.  The BBAC is a 25,000-square foot facility, with nine classroom studios, five exhibition galleries, and a retail Gallery Shop.  

The BBAC is supported by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information: BBArtCenter.org or 248.644.0866.

ELIGIBILITY

Participation is open to all artists 18 and older, living and working in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. Original works in all media (except video or canvas/gallery-wrapped copies) created and/or finished after January 1, 2025 will be accepted for jury providing those works have not been previously exhibited at the BBAC.