Organizer Information
The Springfield Art Association (SAA), based in Springfield, Illinois, is hosting this landmark exhibition to celebrate the 250th Birthday of the United States. The SAA is a long-standing cultural hub dedicated to fostering community through the visual arts.
Title & Description
2,191,464 Hours of History.
The title represents the total number of hours in 250 years, emphasizing that history is built through cumulative moments and actions. Artists are invited to choose a specific moment or period in American History and react to it creatively, expressing its significance, importance, or long-term consequences through their work.
Categories
All Media are welcome, including Painting, Drawing, Sculpture, Photography, Craft/Traditional Arts, Film/Video/New Media, and Mixed-Media/Multi-Discipline.
Eligibility
- National: Open to artists across the United States.
- Age: Artists must be 21 years or older.
- Quality: All accepted works must be “gallery ready” with proper hanging/display hardware. Paintings must be framed or have finished edges.
Program Benefits and Awards
- Exhibition Opportunity: Selected works will be showcased at the M.G. Nelson Family Gallery in Springfield, IL.
- Awards: Four awards will be presented, including Best of Show and three additional recognitions.
- Esteemed Jurors: The selection and awards are determined by Brytton Bjorngaard (Associate Professor of Graphic Design) and Graham A. Peck, PhD (Distinguished Professor of Lincoln Studies) from the University of Illinois, Springfield.
Fees
- Application Fee: $30.00 (non-refundable).
Application Requirements
- Submissions: Artists may submit up to three different works for the single application fee.
- Samples: A minimum of 1 and maximum of 3 work samples (Images or Video) are required.
- Shipping: Shipped works must include a pre-paid return shipping label.
How to Apply?
Applications must be submitted online via the Springfield Art Association’s Call for Entries page. Apply to 2,191,464 Hours of History.
Key Dates (2026)
- Application Deadline: Wednesday, May 20, 2026 (11:59 p.m. MDT).
- Notification Date: Saturday, May 30, 2026.
- Delivery Dates: June 19 – 27, 2026.
- Exhibition Opening & Awards: Friday, July 3, 2026 (5:30–7:30 PM).
- Exhibition Closing: Friday, July 31, 2026.
Location
United States, Springfield, Illinois (M.G. Nelson Family Gallery).
Additional Details
The jury process utilizes a multidisciplinary approach, combining visual arts expertise with historical scholarship to select works that best reflect the consequences of American history. Furthermore, artists sending their work via courier must include a pre-paid return shipping label, as the Springfield Art Association is not responsible for return shipping costs.