Submissions for PhotoSpiva are officially underway
JOPLIN, Mo. — Calling all photographers—professionals and amateurs alike! The George A. Spiva Center for the Arts recently began accepting submissions for its 50th annual PhotoSpiva competition on November 11, inviting photographers nationwide to submit their boldest images by January 5, 2026, for a chance to shine in one of America’s oldest and most prestigious juried exhibitions.
“It’s extremely exciting,” said Paige Mock, Marketing and Impact Strategist at Spiva Center for Arts. “It’s always great to see how much traction has just grown for it. It’s something that’s really important because of all the programming that comes around with it. It brings so many people into Joplin, into the Cornell complex now that we’re in the building. And there’s just, you know, photography can really just speak to people. It’s the real world, real eyes, you know, seeing it through a camera. Just very special to us. We’re really excited.”
Since 1977, PhotoSpiva has grown from a local showcase to a national platform for contemporary photography, celebrating everything from vast landscapes to intimate portraits. Last year, 833 submissions from 135 photographers yielded 105 images from 69 artists, representing 20 states.
The competition is open to amateur and professional photographers from any corner of the U.S. or its territories. Entrants must submit five JPEG images in RGB color mode—ideally sized around 1,600 pixels on the longest side, preserving the original aspect ratio—for a base entry fee of $40. Additional sets of five images can be added for $10 each, making it accessible for those eager to flood the jury with their portfolios. All submissions must be the photographer’s original work, with entrants responsible for securing any necessary releases for recognizable subjects. The online submission portal, powered by the national Call for Entry (CaFÉ) platform, went live immediately.
“From its founding, the point of PhotoSpiva was to intentionally avoid categorizing photography so that we don’t have set criteria,” Mock added. “And it makes this competition really exciting and vibrant and gets all different kinds of work in. So, we really just want people to submit their photography in their style, in their inspiration. So, there’s really no strict criteria for it, which is really exciting.”
With past editions drawing upward of 1,100 entries—yielding just 75 to 80 spots in the exhibition—the stakes are high, but the rewards are tantalizing. Cash prizes will spotlight excellence across categories, including $1,000 for Best of Show, $500 for first place, $300 for second, and $200 for third. Beyond the purse strings, winners and honorable mentions earn the prestige of exhibition space in Spiva’s state-of-the-art galleries at the Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex, located at 212 W. 7th St. in downtown Joplin. The juried show is slated to run from March 2026 through May, drawing thousands of visitors who flock to this annual rite of spring.
“Our juror (this year) is Dan Winters,” Mock said. “He’s widely known for his unusual portraits of celebrities. He’s done scientific and aerospace work, street photography. He’s done illustrations, and has won numerous national and international awards. We are super, super excited to have him. His website, to read more is danwintersphoto.com.”
With past competitions drawing over 1,100 entries for just 75–80 exhibition spots, the stakes are high. Prizes include $1,000 for Best of Show, $500 for first, $300 for second, and $200 for third. Selected works will be displayed at the Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex (212 W. 7th St.) from March to May 2026, attracting thousands.
PhotoSpiva 2026 will feature events like the PhotoSpiva Kids workshop, Spiva in Bloom floral arrangements, and the 1000 Words Poetry Event, blending photography with community engagement.
Submissions close at midnight CST on January 5, 2026. Visit spivaarts.org or call (417) 623-0183 for details.