The Magic Valley Arts Council is thrilled to continue offering the magic of this unique arts opportunity where EVERYONE is part of the contest! Art & Soul of the Magic Valley is so much more than an art contest.
Art & Soul of the Magic Valley is open to any artist, in any location around the world, with any type of artwork. To enter the competition, click the “Register Here” link and in the menu and complete the online application. You will then continue to check out online with a check or credit card. At time of application, you are required to submit an artist statement and a .jpeg photo of your work for publication in our materials.
In order to be officially entered into the Art & Soul contest, all artists must have a sponsor and a venue (see venue section below). A sponsor acts as an advocate for their artist. The sponsor pays an entry fee on behalf of their chosen artist to help offset the cost of the artist’s entry fee. Without the funds from the sponsor, the artist entry fee would be prohibitive for many artists. Thus, having sponsors helps keep entry fees reasonable for all artists and is a great way to involve people in the arts appreciation event. Anyone can be a sponsor for an artist. Many participants will ask family members, friends, employers, or even businesses they frequent to be their sponsor. In our experience, people enjoy serving as sponsors and appreciate the opportunity.
Sponsors have the satisfaction of knowing that they are part of a long-standing, well-respected event that benefits not only artists and businesses, but the community as a whole. Sponsors are recognized on our official website, next to the artists’ work while on display, and printed in our annual Limited-Edition Souvenir Program. At times there will also be segments on TV and radio and in the newspaper that may feature sponsorship information.
Anyone can be a sponsor for an artist. Many participants will ask family members, friends, employers, or even businesses they frequent to be their sponsor. In our experience, people enjoy serving as sponsors and appreciate the opportunity. We encourage every artist to identify someone that would be willing to serve as their sponsor. If an artist is having difficulty finding a sponsor, the Art & Soul staff is always willing to help. Many times, we have people that serve as sponsors for artists who haven’t been able to identify their own. We don’t want to discourage artists from applying because they don’t have a sponsor.
A venue is a local business that serves as a gallery to display artists’ work during Art & Soul of the Magic Valley. Art is accessible for viewing at the various venues from 10 am – 6 pm Monday through Saturday. Most venues are closed on Sunday and don’t have official viewing hours. Some art may be visible outside or from windows during off hours.
Local artists are encouraged to identify a business in town that they feel will be able to display their art in an appropriate and professional manner. Many times, artists seek out businesses that may have similar qualities as that of their artwork. The process of matching an artist with a venue ideally functions when the artist and the venue have a partnership and work together in the process.
Out of town artists unfamiliar with local businesses will be assisted by Art & Soul Committee members in securing a venue.
There are many hundreds of locals and visitors alike that come to Twin Falls during Art & Soul to participate in this amazing community event. These patrons come through the doors of participating businesses to view the art. There is no better way to spend your advertising dollars than in participating in Art & Soul as a venue.
You are guaranteed to have people visit your business during this event and beyond, whereas with other media advertising your materials may not get noticed and may not actually bring people through your doors.
Venue information is printed in our annual souvenir program and listed on our website. At times there will also be segments on TV and radio and in the newspaper that may feature venue information. Advertising in our annual souvenir program is included as part of your venue fee.
We have many levels of participation that are available including naming of prizes, hosting events including the opening night Kick-Off Celebration or Awards Ceremony, use of the Sligar Auditorium at the Twin Falls Center for the Arts, and Magic Valley Arts Council memberships for your employees, to name just a few. Please let us know how you would like us to support you!
Youth artwork is to be delivered to the Mall. Date and timeframe will be shared after a student registers for the Youth Contest. Please call the Magic Valley Arts Council at 208-743-ARTS(2787) for further questions regarding the youth competition.
Contest dates June 7 – June 29, 2024.
VOTING
To vote you must be 16 years of age or older with valid photo identification. No exceptions will be made. You must register online or in person at the Magic Valley Arts Council, 195 River Vista Place, Twin Falls between June 7 – June 29, 2024
Voting is free but the public must register to vote while within 15 miles of the Magic Valley Arts Council, 195 River Vista Pl, Twin Falls, ID during the contest dates (June 7 – June 29, 2024). Mobile voter registration is available by scanning the QR code that will be available next to each work of art. Please note: you must have your location services enabled in order to self-register.
Voter registration is still available in person at the Magic Valley Arts Council for those that are unable or unwilling to register online.
Paper ballots will still be available for use if voters are uncomfortable with the online platform. Ballots will be available at the Magic Valley Arts Council office. If using a paper ballot to vote, it MUST be returned to the Magic Valley Arts Council by close of contest (5pm on Saturday, June 29).
Twin Falls Center for the Arts Hours are Tuesdays through Fridays, 10am to 5pm.
Final Day: Saturday, June 29, 2024, in-person voting registration closes at 5pm however, you may continue to submit votes electronically through midnight.
Each voter will be able to cast votes for their favorite entries, one vote per piece. Voters may choose as many pieces to vote for as they wish. We encourage voters to experience as many works of art as possible, and vote across a broad range of categories.
Contact the Magic Valley Arts Council with your questions at 208-734-ARTS (2787)
Each time a participant logs onto the system the entries scrambled into a random order. The purpose of this is to avoid the first few artists or venues from receiving all the votes. You can search using the search box in the top right of the voting gallery, and you may also sort entries by category.
The easiest way to vote is to scan the QR next to the work of art you wish to vote for. Voting is instant and easy!
Winners are determined by number of public votes received. The Grand Prize winner has received the most votes overall, the second-place winner has received the second most votes, and so on. The Grand Prize through fourth place winners are not eligible to win a Best in Show award. After the first through fourth place awards are given, then the most votes in each category will receive a Best in Show award. It does not matter how you rank your votes as winners are determined by number of overall votes. Youth and venue awards are determined in the same manner. Professionally Judged awards are determined by our panel of judges. There is an additional fee of $50 to enter the Professionally Judged Competition.