Organizer Information
The Northwest Arts Center (NAC) at Minot State University in Minot, North Dakota (USA) is a public visual arts venue that presents contemporary exhibitions, juried competitions, and educational programming. NAC promotes excellence and diversity in the visual arts while providing opportunities for artists to engage with regional and international audiences. The center includes the Walter Piehl Gallery and supports the development of a permanent fine art teaching collection through its annual juried exhibitions, including long‑standing competitive exhibitions such as INT’L Paperworks. NAC has a legacy dating back to 1969, rooted in community engagement, academic enrichment, and artistic exchange.
Title & Description
INT’L Paperworks 2026 – Call for Entries
The Northwest Arts Center announces the 54th annual INT’L Paperworks juried exhibition, a global call for original artworks on or of paper, both traditional and experimental. This long‑running, internationally recognized exhibition invites visual artists to contribute to an ongoing dialogue of artistic exploration across cultures and media. Paperworks seeks work that engages contemporary artistic practice on paper—including drawing, printmaking, collage, mixed media, photography, and conceptual approaches—while fostering community, critical dialogue, and collection development. Selected works will be shown in the Walter Piehl Gallery as part of the 2026 exhibition series.
Categories
- Visual Art
- Works on Paper
- Drawing & Printmaking
- Photography on Paper
- Mixed Media & Experimental Paper Art
- New Media (submitted with paper elements
Eligibility
This call is open to artists internationally.
- Artists from any country may submit original work that has not been previously exhibited in NAC INT’L or Americas juried exhibitions.
- All entries must be original (not reproductions) and completed within the last two years.
- All media on or of paper qualify, including experimental and mixed methods involving paper.
- Video or time‑based work must be submitted in digital formats (.mp4, etc.).
Program Benefits & Awards
- Cash and Purchase Awards: five Merit Awards plus Best of Show.
- The Best of Show award includes a future solo exhibition and an invitation to the Best of the Best exhibition.
- NAC encourages sales during the exhibition; 30% commission supports the arts center and its mission.
- Selected artists gain visibility in an international juried context and contribute to NAC’s teaching collection.
Application Fee
Typically around $30 for 2 entries, with additional entries (up to 5 total) at approximately $5 each (exact details in prospectus).
Application Requirements
- High‑resolution digital images of artwork (JPG, minimum 300 ppi).
- Up to 2 detail images per work.
- Completed entry form (available in the prospectus).
- Entry fee payment.
- Work must be labeled and ready for presentation if accepted.
- Artists are responsible for shipping and delivery of accepted works.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 19 December 2025
- Notification Date: 5 January 2026
- Receipt of Accepted Works Begins: 5 January 2026
- Final Deadline for Receipt of Works: 2 February 2026
- Exhibition Dates: 12 February – 26 March 2026
- Return Shipping: 30 March 2026
Location
Minot, North Dakota, United States
Additional Details
- Sales are encouraged; a 30% commission supports NAC programming.
- Entries are juried by a guest professional (in 2026: Dave DiMarchi, multi‑disciplinary artist).
- NAC does not refund entry fees; artists manage their own shipping.
- Work must arrive presentation-ready (framed or with proper installation materials).
- Video submissions are accepted with appropriate downloadable links or formats.