Perspectives Art Contest
Perspectives is the Foundation of Arts’ annual community art contest, welcoming submissions from artists of all ages, starting at 5 years old. The goal of the contest is to showcase the unique viewpoints of our community in an eclectic gallery of talent. Each year, we invite the public to engage by voting for their favorite pieces—and you can cast your vote by donating canned goods to the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas.
This Year's Partner
We’re thrilled to partner with the Keep Jonesboro Beautiful Commission for an additional special category, amplifying the celebration of our local beauty.
Dates
- Accepting submissions: November 3-7, 2025
- Voting period: November 10-14, 2025
- Winners announced: Pre-show at the Nutcracker performance Nov. 21 at 7:00.
- Art pick-up: Dec 2-5, 2025
Forum Exhibit Artist
Want to showcase your artwork without competing? Be part of The Forum’s monthly exhibits, featuring local talent.
How to Enter
Deliver original artwork to the Forum Theater Box Office Mon. through Fri. from 10:00-6:00pm during the submission dates above.
All submissions will include the following information on the back of your art so that we can label your work and contact you after the contest:
- Category you’re entering
- If entering the Keep Jonesboro Beautiful category, you will also need to include a short description of how your submission fits the category critera (more details under category explanations)
- Artist’s name and age (age optional)
- Artwork title/size/medium
- Best phone number and email to reach you (could be a guardian if a child submisison). MUST have this information or we cannot accept.
For questions about Perspectives, please contact [email protected]
Categories
We accept original 2D and now even 3D artwork, matted or mounted, including paintings, drawings, graphic design, photography, small sculptures and more. Ages 5 and up! Adults, that means you, too.
There are two categories for submissions:
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- General Category:
Let your creativity shine! You pick the medium and subject matter that most represents your unique perspectivewe, though we ask that submissions be suitable for all audiences.Let your creativity shine! We welcome all types of artwork. - Keep Jonesboro Beautiful:
Keep Jonesboro Beautiful (KJB) is pleased to partner with the FOA on the Perspectives Art Contest to advance efforts that maintain, enhance, and protect Jonesboro’s natural landscape. Through this partnership, KJB seeks support and adoption of clean and green beautification efforts to enhance the city’s appearance.
- General Category:
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- Through Perspectives, artists can advance the discussion of the environmental, economic, and social impact of maintaining natural beauty. Artists are encouraged to submit works that inspire residents to “do beautiful things.” Examples may include but not limited to:
- Visual art with elements that could be considered for a future public art displays or project.
- Renderings to help reimagine the beauty of a new or existing public space.
- Portrayals that reimagine how a beautify a street, sidewalk, intersection,park, stormwater drainage basin etc. to advance a community vision and promote pride of place. (see links below)
- Include an artist statement of 25-50 words that explains how the submission meets one or more of the above criteria.
- Through Perspectives, artists can advance the discussion of the environmental, economic, and social impact of maintaining natural beauty. Artists are encouraged to submit works that inspire residents to “do beautiful things.” Examples may include but not limited to:
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Links: Understanding green infrastructure for purposes of beautification
https://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/enhancing-sustainable-communities-green-infrastructure
https://cnt.org/sites/default/files/publications/Green%20Values%20Strategy%20Guide.pdf
https://www.epa.gov/green-infrastructure/about-green-infrastructure
Voting
Voting is open to the public! Just bring any amount of canned goods to the FOA Arts Center at 328 S. Main St. Mon.-Fri. from 10-6pm during the voting dates provided above and vote for your favorite art piece(s). Cans will be tallied at the end and winners notified prior to the scheduled Nutcracker pre-show announcement date to allow the opportunity to be there to accept prizes.
Awards
- “General” Community Favorite: The art with the most cans wins a $50 Hobby Lobby giftcard and a Pick 4 FOA Seaosn Ticket pass!
- FOA Staff Pick: Selected by the FOA staff from the General category. WIll recieve a $50 Hobby Lobby giftcard and a Pick 4 FOA Seaosn Ticket pass!
- “Keep Jonesboro Beautiful” Community Favorite: The art with the most cans wins $100, donated generously by The Medicine Shoppe.
- KJB Commission Pick: Selected by Keep Jonesboro Beautiful Commision members from the KJB category. Wins $100, donated generously by The Medicine Shoppe.
Prize
Each of the 4 winners will receive 2 tickets to an upcoming FOA production and a Hobby Lobby gift card, compliments of The Foundation of Arts and the winner of the Keep Jonesboro Beautiful Commission pick will receive an additional cash prize!
Support the FOA
Our outreach initiatives rely on the generous support of people like you. Whether through monetary donations, volunteering, or in-kind contributions, you can make a lasting impact and ensure that the arts remain accessible to everyone in our community.