Statewide Annual Exhibition

Visual arts competitions and exhibitions have been a project of the Utah Division of Arts & Museums (UA&M) since 1899. The Statewide Annual Exhibition (SWA) is an annual juried exhibition that presents a survey of current, outstanding visual art by Utah-based artists through three rotating themes: Painting, Sculpture & Installation, Mixed Media & Works on Paper, and Craft, Photography, Video & Digital.

SWA 2023: Mixed Media & Works on Paper

The 2023 Statewide Annual (SWA) will be exhibited at the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art and composed of 30 works of mixed media or works on paper selected from artists’ submissions received from across the State.

We are honored to have Julio César Morales (AZ) and Pat Hickman (NY) as this year’s jurors as they bring a vast array of knowledge to the selection process regarding material use, concept, craft, experimentation, and the art world at large.

Entries should follow the theme of this year’s SWA. Examples of 'works on paper' include artist books, drawings, screenprints, and collages, and 'mixed media' are represented by works that incorporate combinations of materials, found objects, embroidery, audio, and lights, among other media. We encourage all artists working within Utah and making artwork on paper or with mixed media to apply. The SWA is a meaningful opportunity for artists to be part of a survey of the state of contemporary art-making across Utah and engage new audiences through the process.

Guidelines

Visual arts competitions and exhibitions have been a project of the Utah Division of Arts & Museums (UA&M) since 1899. The Statewide Annual Exhibition, is an annual, juried exhibition of current, outstanding visual art by Utah-based artists. The exhibition rotes themes annually: Mixed Media & Works on Paper (2023), Craft, Photography, Video & Digital Works (2024), and Painting, Sculpture & Installation (2025).

Artwork selected for exhibition is juried by nationally renowned artists and curators who review applications submitted to our annual open call. Entry to the call for submissions is free and open to visual artists at all stages of their career, including students (18+), young graduates, emerging, and established. Exhibitions sponsored by UA&M are funded by public tax dollars.

The 2023 edition of the Statewide Annual Exhibition will be hosted at the Utah Museum of Contemporary Arts from June 23 through September 17, 2023.

This competition is open to visual artists residing in Utah.
Artists must be 18 years of age or older.
Entries are limited to two (2) original works. Work must have been completed in the past 3 years.
Works previously accepted in a juried competition sponsored by UA&M are not eligible.
Jurors will make final determinations on qualifying media within this year’s media categories.

Q: What are the selection criteria?

A: This year's categories are mixed media & works on paper.

Works on Paper: This category accepts work in visual media other than painting, including artists books, aquatints, collages, engravings, etchings, lithographs, monotypes, prints, serigraphs, woodcuts, and drawings in two or three dimensional formats. Artists whose work involves painting only, including watercolorists, should apply to the painting category.

Mixed Media: This category refers to works in which more than one medium was employed in the creation of the work (not for works that are solely multi-media).

Q: What is the jury process?

A: The submission and jury process will be conducted virtually via Submittable. Applications are reviewed by staff for completion, eligibility, and adherence to published guidelines. Our 2022 jurors, Anna Valdez and Ya La’ford, will review all eligible applications and make final selections.

Q: What are jurors looking for?

A: The jurors are looking for compelling and skillful work in the mediums of works on paper & mixed media.

Q: Will I receive feedback on the work?

A: Due to the number of entries received, the jurors are unable to provide specific feedback.

Q: Where will the exhibition be on view?

A: This year’s Statewide Annual Exhibition will be on view at the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art.

Q: If accepted, does my work need to be framed?

A: No. However, all works not framed, must be fully assembled, or otherwise ready for exhibition as the artist intends to present them (no sawtooth hangers, wires/D-rings preferred, or secure attachments).

Q: If accepted, can my artwork be for sale?

A: Yes. Sales will be handled directly by the artist with assistance from UA&M and OCA staff. Works not for sale must clearly be marked “NFS” (Not For Sale) on your loan agreement. If your work is not for sale you must indicate an insurance value. We will not be taking a commission on sales.

Works accepted for exhibition may not be withdrawn for any reason. The submission of entries presupposes the right to photograph the works for catalogs, publicity, educational, and promotion purposes in perpetuity. By applying, you agree to these terms.

Q: When is the deadline?

A: May 5th, 2023

We will not accept late applications. We recommend that you finish the application two days prior to the deadline in case you encounter any issues. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

Q: Where do I apply?

A: https://utahartsmuseums.submittable.com/submit

Q: What are the file requirements?

A: Only digital images/files are accepted for consideration. All images must be uploaded

through our online platform, Submittable (see link above).

Submit JPGs – 1500 pixels on the longest side with a minimum dpi of 72
File naming example: Smith_Jane_1.jpg or for detail, installation, or alternate view images: Smith_Jane_1_detail.jpg

Q: How many works can I submit?

A: You may submit a maximum of two artworks with up to three images per artwork.

Q: Can I apply to more than one category?

A: Yes. If you submit two works, you may submit two in one category or one in either

category.

Q: I can’t log onto my Submittable account. Should I contact your staff?

A: Our staff does not have access to your Submittable account. If you are unable to

login to Submittable, or are having other issues related to the website, we suggest you

contact Submittable directly at support@submittable.com.

Q: Can we apply as a duo or group?

A: Yes, please use one artist’s name and information on the application, and in your

project summary note that this is a collaboration and include all names.

Apply Here

2023 Jurors

Julio César Morales

Julio César Morales is an accomplished artist, educator, and curator working for over twenty-five years in the contemporary art world. In curatorial practice, Morales has a range of experience: senior curator at Arizona State University Museum (2012-2022), adjunct curator for visual arts at Yerba Buena Center for The Arts in San Francisco (2008-2012), and founder and director of Queens Nails Annex, an artist-run project space in San Francisco (2003-2012). In 2013 he was a contributing curator for the Japanese pavilion at the Venice Biennale and has curated more than 100+ exhibitions to date. He is currently the Executive Director and Co-Chief Curator at MOCA Tucson. Morales’ artwork has been shown at Lyon Biennale; (Lyon, France), Istanbul Biennale; (Turkey), Los Angeles County Art Museum (Los Angeles); CURRENT:LA Public Art Biennial (Los Angeles); Singapore Biennale; (Singapore), Frankfurter Kunstverein (Frankfurt, Germany); Prospect 3 (New Orleans, Louisiana) SFMOMA (San Francisco); Perez Art Museum (Miami, Florida) and The UCLA Hammer Museum (Los Angeles) amongst others.

Patricia Hickman

Pat Hickman (NY) is a full time studio artist living in the Lower Hudson Valley. She is Professor Emerita of Art, University of Hawaii; her studio is at the Garnerville Arts and Industrial Center, NY. Hickman’s work is in major collections, including the Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, The Oakland Museum, Denver Art Museum, Hawaii State Art Museum, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, LongHouse Reserve Collection, etc. Her gate commission, Nets of Makali’i–Nets of the Pleiades, stands at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Hickman twice received NEA grants. Since 2005, Fellow of the American Craft Council. Hickman curated two traveling exhibits with catalogues: Innerskins/Outerskins: Gut and Fishskin and Baskets: Redefining Volume and Meaning. For further information, visit phickman.com

Lenka Konopasek, Mimicry 2, 2019

Past Catalogs

Questions?

Peter Hay
Statewide Annual Guest Curator

Karen Krieger
Collections and Visual Arts Manager
385.232.0770