

Art Competition Information 2025
Edited: April 10, 2025
MCAF 2025 Art Competitions:
We are thrilled to invite you to the 2025 Med City Art Festival Competition.
This is an opportunity for emerging and established artists to showcase their talent and contribute to a vibrant and dynamic display of creativity.
Our categories are PROFESSIONAL, PHOTOGRAPHY, ADULT AMATEUR, and YOUNG ARTIST (grades 9-12), grades 6-8, and K-5 (all mediums in 2-D).
EXHIBITION DETAILS
By participating, you will have the unique opportunity to exhibit your artwork at various downtown businesses, the Berkman Hotel (international buyers), and 125 Live. Your artwork will be displayed for three months, bringing it to the public's and collectors' attention and opening doors to new opportunities and recognition.
Why enter an art competition?
It can be a fun way to gain exposure as an artist.
There is an opportunity to reach local and international buyers with our downtown Rochester display partners.
MCAF promotes our winners and entrants via social media.


ART COMPETITION CATEGORIES
K-5 grades
Award: Art Supplies Kit
Entry: fee free
6-8 grades
Award: Art Supplies Kit
Entry fee: $5
Young Artist (grades 9-12)
Award: $250
Entry fee: $20
Amateur Adults
Any media on a 2D surface (canvas or board)
Award: $200
Entry fee: $20
Professional Photography
On any 2D surface (paper, metal, canvas, fiber…)
Award: $300
Entry fee: $30
Professional Artist
Any media on a 2D surface (canvas or board)
Award: $300
Entry fee: $30
ART COMPETITION
RULES & REGULATIONS
1. The artwork in every category in the art competition must be original and made by the artist. Eligibility: Open to all artists.
2. It is not permitted to copy the work of other artists or create it using commercial molds, kits, plans, patterns, numbers, prefabricated forms, or other commercial methods. Multimedia is accepted and encouraged. Mediums: We welcome submissions in 2-D format only, including all media and mixed media.
3. Artists shall submit only one artwork per category. Submission Process: Fill out the form at the MCAF website: https://www.medcityartfestival.org
Submission Deadline: Please submit your artwork by 7/01/25.
4. Artists and/or family members must be present at the reception when the awards are announced. Rest assured, the selection process is fair and unbiased. Judges are selected annually from a new panel, ensuring a fresh perspective and equal opportunities for all participants.
5. All images submitted for the art competition should be in JPEG or JPEG2000 format at high resolution. If you cannot submit your image with your entry form, don't hesitate to contact the MCAF organizers.
6. Artists who decide to sell their artwork are responsible for the taxes.
7. Participants can only remove their artwork after the end of the three exhibitions.
8. The procedures for the Art Competition are:
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Exhibition in one business in downtown Rochester, MN
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Exhibition at The Berkman Hotel (award winners)
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Exhibition at 125Life
9. All art will be returned to 1101 7th Ave SW, Rochester, MN. PLEASE collect your artwork as soon as possible on the date established. After 40 days, it will be considered abandoned art and property of MCAF. Please be diligent in retrieving your artwork.
10. Your artwork must be professionally finished, with wire on the back, which is essential for hanging.
125Live and The Berkman use large hucks that only wires can fit into.
IMPORTANT DATES, PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
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SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 7/1/2025
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DROP OFF ARTWORK 7/1/2025 AT 1101 7th Ave SW, Rochester, MN 55902
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EXHIBITION AT DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES: 7/3/2025 - 7/31/2025
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EXHIBITION AT THE BERKMAN HOTEL: 7/31/2025 - 9/4/2025
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RECEPTION AT THE BERKMAN HOTEL: 8/7/2025
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MED CITY ART FESTIVAL: 8/22/2025
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EXHIBITION AT 125 LIVE: 9/4/2025 - 10/2/2025
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RETRIEVE YOUR ARTWORK 10/2/2025 AT 1101 7th Ave SW, Rochester, MN 55902
CONTACT INFO:
If you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@medcityartsfestival.org or visit our website at https://www.medcityartfestival.org/
We look forward to receiving your submission and celebrating the incredible talent of our artistic community.
Barbara Schwenk
MCAF Art Competition Coordinator
(320)760-6626 (call, leave a message, or text)