Call-for-Art
Celebrate Kansas City’s Fountains Through Your Creativity
The City of Fountains Foundation invites local artists and photographers to be part of a citywide celebration of creativity, culture, and public art. This spring, we’re offering two distinct ways to get involved—Fountain Fest Plein Air and Spring Open Capture—each designed to showcase your talent while highlighting the beauty of Kansas City’s most beloved fountains.
These events aren’t just about creating art—they’re about deepening community connection, honoring shared landmarks, and building greater visibility for the artists and photographers who help tell the story of our city.
Mark Your Calendar for Creative Opportunities
Join us live at Fountain Fest or take part in a two-month creative challenge—each opportunity lets you shine a light on Kansas City’s fountains through your own artistic vision.
Fountain Fest Plein Air
Join us live at Mill Creek Park during Fountain Fest for a one-day plein air competition that captures the energy, beauty, and community spirit of Kansas City’s official fountain turn-on celebration. Artists will paint on-site from Noon to 3:00 p.m., with winners announced at 4:00 p.m. Three selected artist will receive a $500 purchase award for their piece. It’s a high-visibility opportunity to showcase your work in real time at the city’s biggest spring event.
EVENT DATE: Saturday, April 19th, 2025, during Fountain Fest
PAINTING TIMES: 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Mill Creek Park
Spring Open Capture
This two-month challenge invites artists and photographers to interpret three featured fountains through their own creative lens. Participants work independently during the open capture period, submitting final pieces by June 22nd. One artist and one photographer will each be selected to receive a $500 award at each of the three fountain locations. Winning submissions may be featured on COFF merchandise and in future campaigns, with credit always given to the creator.
EVENT DATES: April 19th – June 15th, 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 June 15th, 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 June 15th, 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
- Preregistration Required: Register and pay on the COFF website by 11:59 p.m. on April 18th, 2025.
- Include: Full name, substrate size, medium, and selling price during registration.
- Same-Day Registration: Not available at Fountain Fest.
- Check-In: Arrive at the COFF booth 1 hour before painting begins for substrate stamping.
- Participation: Open only to paid, registered artists.
- Artwork: Must be 2D and completed within the allotted time frame.
Entry Fee & Payment Methods
- Fountain Fest Plein Air: $35
- Payments: Must be made by debit or credit card on the COFF website during registration.
- Same-Day Payment: Not available at Fountain Fest.
Submission Requirements
- Submit Artwork: No later than 30 minutes after the time limit ends.
- Display: Artwork will be displayed for public purchase at the event.
- Easel: Artists must provide their own easel to display their work.
- Art Tag: Include the COFF-provided tag with artist name, medium, and price on all displayed artwork.
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
How to Participate
- Preregistration Required: Register and pay on the COFF website by 11:59 p.m. on April 18th, 2025.
- Same-Day Registration: Not available at Fountain Fest.
- Stamps: Substrates can be stamped at the COFF booth on April 19th between 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m..
- Participation: Open only to paid, registered artists.
- Artwork: Must be 2D and depict a fountain from the provided list.
Entry Fee & Payment Methods
- Open Capture: $35
- Payment: Must be made by debit or credit card on the COFF website during registration.
- Same-Day Payment: Not available at Fountain Fest.
Submission Requirements
- Submission Link: Submit your work at the designated link provided on the COFF website.
- Art Submission: Artists may submit 1 painting of each fountain (3 total).
- Include: Full name, email, medium, size, price, created en plein air or in a studio
- Image Specifications:
- Minimum size: 10″
- Maximum size: 30″
- File format and Size: JPEG at 72 dpi (no larger than 3 MB).
Jury Process
- Juror: Jeff Osborne, with over 30 years in the art community and 4 years curating at the Jones Gallery in the Crossroads Arts District.
- One winning piece will be selected from each fountain location.
- Submissions will be judged on quality and originality, with all styles welcomed equally.
Awards & Prizes
- Winners will be notified by email on Monday, June 30th, 2025, by 7:00 p.m.
- 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
- Preregistration Required: Register and pay on the COFF website by 11:59 p.m. on April 18th, 2025.
- Same-Day Registration: Not available at Fountain Fest.
- Participation: Open only to paid, registered photographers.
Entry Fee & Payment Methods
- Open Capture: $35
- Payment: Must be made by debit or credit card on the COFF website during registration.
- Same-Day Payment: Not available at Fountain Fest.
Submission Requirements
- Submission Link: Submit your work at the designated link provided on the COFF website.
- Photo Submission: Photographers may submit 1 photograph of each fountain (3 total).
- Include: Full name, email, camera used, photograph settings.
- Image Specifications:
- Minimum Size: 10″
- Maximum Size: 30″
- File Format: JPEG at 72 dpi (no larger than 3 MB).
Jury Process
- Juror: Jeff Osborne, leveraging decades of experience in the arts.
- One winning photograph will be selected from each fountain location.
- Only original photographs are eligible, judged on their ability to captivate and showcase the fountains’ charm.
Awards & Prizes
- Winners will be notified by email on Monday, June 30th, 2025, by 7:00 p.m.
- 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 – Sunday, June 15th, 2025
Submission Deadline
- Sunday, June 22nd, 2025 by 11:59 p.m.
Award Email Announcements
- Monday, June 30th, 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 – Sunday, June 15th, 2025
Submission Deadline
- Sunday, June 22nd, 2025 by 11:59 p.m.
Award Email Announcements
- Monday, June 30th, 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
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