Call-for-Art

A Spring Celebration of Art, Photography and Fountains

This spring, Fountain Fest debuts as a celebration of Kansas City’s cherished fountains, blending art, culture, and community. With two opportunities, this event invites artists and photographers to connect with the city’s iconic landmarks and create unforgettable works of art.

Fountain Fest Plein Air is a three-hour painting session held on April 19th during the heart of Fountain Fest.

Open Capture is a two-month-long challenge running from April 1st to May 31st, giving artists and photographers the chance to capture the magic of three selected fountains.

Join us in celebrating the artistry and timeless charm of Kansas City’s fountains.

Mark Your Calendar for Creative Opportunities

Capture the grandeur of Kansas City’s fountains through photography or bring them to life on canvas—this event provides a platform to share your artistry, gain exposure, and connect with the community.

Fountain Fest Plein Air

Experience the energy of live painting on April 19th, as part of the Fountain Fest celebration.

EVENT DATE: Saturday, April 19th, 2025, during Fountain Fest
PAINTING TIMES: 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Mill Creek Park

Open Capture

Take part in a two-month art and photography challenge designed to spotlight the beauty of three selected fountains.

EVENT DATES: April 19th – May 31st, 2025
LOCATIONS: Meyer Circle Seahorse Fountain, Henry Wollman Bloch Fountain, Loose Park Lake Fountain

Choose from Three Spring Creative Events

Fountain Fest Plein Air

Review instructions for taking part in the Plein Air event, including participant eligibility, artwork criteria, and information on the jurying and display process.

  • Open to amateur and professional artists of all ages.
  • Use any medium and style; artwork must be 16×20 or smaller.
  • Artwork must feature the Mill Creek Park Fountain.
  • Create your piece in just three hours during the event on April 19th.
  • All artwork will be juried and displayed for public viewing and purchase.
  • Artists are welcome to participate in both Plein Air and Open Capture.

Artists Open Capture

his flexible option allows you to create at your own pace, painting en plein air or in your studio.

  • Open to amateur and professional artists of all ages.
  • Use any medium and style; artwork must be 16×20 or smaller.
  • Depict a fountain from the provided list.
  • Work must be new and created between April 19th and May 31st, 2025.
  • Studio or plein air pieces are accepted.
  • To verify authenticity either submit the photograph used for studio work, or get your substrates stamped at the COFF booth during Fountain Fest.

Photographers Open Capture

Showcase your skills by capturing the fountains’ charm and elegance through your lens.

  • Open to amateur and professional photographers of all ages.
  • Photographs must be taken with a camera (no cell phone photos).
  • Images must be printable at 16×20 and taken between April 19th and May 31st, 2025.
  • Both color and black & white photography are allowed.
  • The photograph must be taken by the submitting photographer and feature one of the listed fountains.

Register and Take Part in the Call-for-Art

Follow These Guidelines to Participate in Call-for-Art Creative Events

Fountain Fest Plein Air

How to Participate
Entry Fee & Payment Methods
Submission Requirements
Jury Process
  • A panel of three COFF members will serve as jurors.
  • Three winning pieces will be selected, focusing on art that best represents the Mill Creek Park Fountain.
  • Submissions will be judged on quality and creativity, with no preference for traditional or contemporary styles.
Awards & Prizes
  • Three winners will receive $500 each.
  • Winning artwork will be featured on a dedicated page on the COFF website with links to purchase requests.
  • COFF will own reproduction rights to the winning pieces, including rights to sell prints and merchandise.
  • Winners will be credited in promotions and when selling merchandise.
Participation Rewards
  • All submitted artwork will be displayed on a dedicated page on the COFF website.
  • Buyers can request to purchase non-winning artwork through the site.
  • If sold, artists will contribute 25% of the sale price to COFF, which is a tax-deductible donation.
  • Artists will receive acknowledgment in all related promotions.

Artists Open Capture Art

Woman artist painting on canvas in a bright, sunlit studio. Creative and focused atmosphere.
How to Participate
Entry Fee & Payment Methods
Submission Requirements
Jury Process
Awards & Prizes
  • One winner per fountain location will receive $500.
  • COFF will own reproduction rights to the winning pieces, including rights to sell prints and merchandise.
  • Winning artwork will be featured on a dedicated page on the COFF website with links to purchase requests.
  • Winners will be credited in promotions and merchandise sales.
Participation Rewards
  • Non-winning pieces will also be displayed on the COFF website with purchase request links.
  • Artists will contribute 25% of the sale price to COFF if their artwork is sold.
  • COFF will coordinate purchase approvals and email donation receipts to artists.
  • Artists will be credited in all promotions.

Photographers Open Capture

How to Participate
Entry Fee & Payment Methods
Submission Requirements
Jury Process
Awards & Prizes
  • One winner per fountain location will receive $500.
  • COFF will own reproduction rights to the winning photographs, including rights to sell prints and merchandise.
  • Winning photographs will be featured on a dedicated page on the COFF website.
  • Winners will be credited in promotions and merchandise sales.
Participation Rewards
  • All non-winning photographs will be displayed on a dedicated page with links to the photographers’ websites.
  • Photographers will be acknowledged in all related promotions.

Important Dates

Fountain Fest Plein Air

Registration Dates

  • February 15th – April 18th, 2025 (11:59 p.m.)
  • Registration will not be available at Fountain Fest.

Event Date & Times

  • Saturday, April 19th, 2025
  • Time: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Submission Deadlines

  • Saturday, April 19th, 2025 by 3:30 p.m.

Award Announcements

  • Saturday, April 19th, 2025 by 4:00 p.m.

Artists Open Capture

Registration Dates

  • February 15th – April 18th, 2025 (11:59 p.m.)
  • Registration will not be available at Fountain Fest.

Event Dates

  • Saturday, April 19th, 2025 – Saturday, May 31st, 2025

Submission Deadline

  • Saturday, June 7th, 2025 by 11:59 p.m.

Award Email Announcements

  • Monday, June 16th, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.

Photographers Open Capture

Registration Dates

  • February 15th – April 18th, 2025 (11:59 p.m.)
  • Registration will not be available at Fountain Fest.

Event Dates

  • Saturday, April 19th, 2025 – Saturday, May 31st, 2025

Submission Deadline

  • Saturday, June 7th, 2025 by 11:59 p.m.

Award Email Announcements

  • Monday, June 16th, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.

Questions & Answers

Find Answers to Your Call-for-Art Questions

Plein Air at Fountain Fest
Open Capture Artists
Open Capture Photographers
Still Have a Question?

Help is Just a Click Away. Our staff is here to help—submit your question below, and we’ll respond as soon as possible.

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Thank you for your interest in Fountain Fest Plein Air & Open Capture! We’ve received your inquiry and will be in touch soon with more details. We’re excited to provide artists and photographers with the opportunity to capture the beauty and energy of Kansas City’s historic fountains. Stay tuned for updates, and we look forward to the possibility of you participating in either the Plein Air at Fountain Fest or Open Capture events! — The City of Fountains Foundation Team
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Fountain Fest Plein Air

Create Live at Fountain Fest

Artists Open Capture

Paint On Your Timeframe

Woman artist painting on canvas in a bright, sunlit studio. Creative and focused atmosphere.

Photographers Open Capture

Take Photographs During the Golden Hour

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Fountain Partners

Agenda:USA
KC Bier Co.
Helen S. Boylan Foundation
Mason L. Dean Testamentary Foundation
Estelle S. and Robert A. Long Ellis Foundation
Alex Hamil
Roy Inman
Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation
The Kansas City Royals
Made in Kansas City
Rally House
Seen Merch
Irma Starr

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ADDRESS:
P.O. Box 8912
Kansas City, MO
64114

PHONE:
816-842-2299

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