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The Art of Storytelling

A community art exhibition inspired by The Science Behind Pixar exhibit. Are you ready to take your creativity and imagination to new heights? We’re calling all artists, storytellers, and dreamers to blast off and explore the limitless world of storytelling. The Art of Storytelling will explore artwork inspired by your own dynamic characters and their adventurous tales – whether it’s a heroic quest, a wild journey, or a heartwarming transformation, we want to see your original characters and stories come to life through visual storytelling. Submit your fun and imaginative artwork that captures the magic of storytelling and the journey of unforgettable characters. The sky’s the limit- so let your creativity soar!

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Contest Details

If you are unable to fill out the submission form, please contact us at [email protected].  

 

Submission Deadline is October 27, 2025, at midnight. No late entries will be accepted.  

 

Questions? Email [email protected] 

DETAILS & POLICIES Plus
  • Artists may submit ONE image of 2-Dimensional art for consideration (all 2D media are welcome-drawing, painting, prints, collage, photography, digital, etc)
  • 3-Dimensional work will ONLY be accepted if in a shadowbox frame and/or substrate that includes a wire hanging mechanism to hang safely on a wall. All artworks must be able to hang safely on a wall. D-rings with wire preferred. No sawtooth hangers or clip frames. Any frame provided by the artist must use plexiglass. No glass will be accepted.
  • This art exhibition features separate age categories: Adult (19+), Teen (12-18), and Youth (11 and under) 
  • If selected, COSI may request the original artwork remain at COSI for the duration of the Exhibition (May 10 – September 1, 2025)
  • Artists may enter only their original work – no reproductions of original work will be accepted. 
  • Your submission may be displayed in COSI. Anything that is deemed inappropriate or explicit by the Judging Panel or COSI’s Project Team will not be accepted for review 
  • Any artist under 18 years of age must have a parent/guardian sign the virtual application form. Teacher signatures will NOT be accepted.
IMPORTANT DATES Plus
  • Call for Entry Open: September 3, 2025
  • Deadline to submit: October 27, 2025 (no late submissions will be accepted)
  • Artist Notifications: Week of November 10
  • Exhibition on view Dec 6, 2025 – September 7, 2026
CONDITIONS & LIMITATIONS Plus
  • Artists may enter ONE artwork for consideration.
  • Media Conditions:
    • 2D Art (on paper) will be framed by COSI Team and must fit within one of the following frame sizes:
      • 5” x 11”
      • 11”x17”
      • 16” x 20”
      • 18”x24”
      • 24” x 36”
  • *Paintings on stretched canvas will not be framed but must have wire on the back to hang directly on the wall.
  • *Paintings on panel (wood, masonite, canvas board, etc) must come framed or have wire attached directly on the back for display  
    • 3D Art: 3-Dimensional work will ONLY be accepted if in a shadowbox frame with plexi and/or attached to a substrate that includes a hanging mechanism to hang safely on a wall. Due to the hands-on/interactive nature of the museum, some guests may have curious hands and touch the work. Please make sure all components of the piece are firmly attached to the substrate. By applying to the call for art, you acknowledge that your work may be touched.
  • Size: shadowbox frame must not exceed 24” on longest side. Weight capacity 10lb. Questions? Email [email protected]
  • Animation Shorts (All Digital)
    • Duration 1-2 min (90 sec or less)
    • File format: MP4, MOV
    • Resolution: Full HD (1920×1080) or 4K (3840×2160)
    • Horizontal Orientation
    • No sound
    • Animation Example Types (Suggested but not limited to):
      • Flip Book Animation
      • Stop Motion
      • 2D Digital Animation
      • Cutout Animation
      • Puppet Animation
      • LEGO Animation
      • Whiteboard or Chalk Animation
  • COSI will frame and display 2-Dimensional entries on paper. Works on panel and canvas will NOT be framed.
  • Artists are responsible for their works on canvas and/or panel to have D-rings and wire installed on the back to be ready to hang.
  • NO sawtooth hangers please.
  • Upon delivery, if any accepted artwork is found to have been misrepresented, it may be disqualified.
  • All accepted animation submissions by our juror panel will be displayed on a horizontal digital screen at COSI.
  • Submissions will only be accepted via website form (Jotform).
    • If there are any issues uploading via electronic form, please contact [email protected].
UPLOADED IMAGE SPECIFICATIONS Plus
  • Artwork must be photographed straight, in focus, and on a solid background.
  • Label uploaded image with title of artwork and artist name (ie: title.lastname.jpg)
  • Uploaded image must be high resolution, less than 8 MB and saved as a JPEG or PDF.
  • If your total image file size is greater than 8 MB, you may resize the image through one of these free photo editing programs: Microsoft Image Resizer, Microsoft Photo Editor, Picasa, etc.
  • *When photographing artwork, please remember this will be the image reviewed by our jurors during the selection process. Please submit the best photo representation of your artwork.
  • *Artist Statement: Application requires each artist to submit a short statement /description of the work. Please be mindful that the jurors will be looking at these statements as they make their final decisions. If selected to exhibit, these statements will be used on the artwork label.

Jurors

Jonathan Juravich
Alanna Gibson
Tony Auseon