Starkville Area Arts Council offers a number of programs and submission opportunities, from the annual Cotton District Arts Festival to period calls for submissions posted throughout the year. All applications are now taken online - no more postage, no more CDs or DVDs, and no more printing and lost materials!

Submission requirements vary for each program. So, be sure to read all instructions (and make sure you are submitting to the right program)!

Join our newsletter list, or check here from time to time, to see what calls may be open.

PLEASE NOTE: Submittable is best viewed on a desktop or through the Submittable App.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: SAAC is an equal opportunity organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, operation of programs, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for the public, all members of our staff, volunteers, vendors, and artist communities.

We expect all SAAC & CDAF board members, volunteers, participants, vendors, and grantees to follow the same community-engagement policy.

Thank you for your interest in Public Art in Starkville, MS! 


If you have a proposal for a public art project in Starkville this is the place! All submissions must include: 

- Proposed project overview

- Proposed budget 

- Proposed timeline

- Photos of the proposed project and examples of other works. 


Submissions to this form are reviewed as they come in. Please be aware that our funding is very limited for public art projects. 


For questions, please email Juliette at arts@starkvillearts.org. 

CALLING ALL YOUNG ARTISTS!    All Pre-K – 12th grade students enrolled in the Starkville Oktibbeha School District are invited to submit art to the Buzzy's Art Contest.    Important Guidelines for Submissions:    All submissions are made online by uploading a digital photo or file of an original work of art. PLEASE DO NOT EMAIL SUBMISSIONS. Any email submissions will not be considered.

Students are welcome to submit artwork in all four categories, but only ONE entry per category:   

  • 2D – Drawing (pencil, crayon, pen, color pencil), Painting (on paper, canvas, wood), Collage, Digital Drawing (not a digital photography but an original drawing made using computer technology such as Adobe Illustrator), or Mixed Media (a work made using a combination of materials).
  • Sculpture/3D – Clay (ex. figures, pots), Paper Maché, Fiber (quilts/textile), Metal, Wood (no Legos or assemblages of toys)
  • Photography – Digital or Print
  • Creative Writing – Short Story, Poetry

Still not sure which category to enter? We can help! Please email your question and a photo of the artwork to starkvillepto.buzzys@gmail.com.  

Guidelines for 2D, Sculpture, and Photography: 

  1. All art must be recent, created between January 2024 and January 2025.
  2. Artwork does not have to be framed but must be stable (not torn, crumpled, or falling apart). *If framed, please do not frame with glass so you may take a good photograph)
  3. Do not place any names, signatures, titles, or identifying labels on the front of your work or in the submitted photo of your work.
  4. Each entry requires a separate submission.
  5. Artwork image must be a Jpeg (jpg) file.
  6. Name the file the title of the artwork. For example AmazingPaintingofBird.jpeg
  7. Image must be in focus and cropped to show only the artwork (for example do not show someone holding the work).
  8. Artwork MUST be original to the student (no copyrighted characters are used). It's ok to be inspired by the world around you, BUT you should not directly copy someone else's idea. Please DO NOT submit works with characters from popular TV shows, cartoons, comics, movies, video games, sports logos, and websites including guided YouTube tutorials. If you created your artwork in a class for school, please tell us what class and the teacher who instructed you. Failure to credit sources will impact the juror's review and the ability for submitted artwork to appear in the final online gallery exhibit. For more on originality, refer to the sample judging rubric.
  9. Visit starkvillesd.com/news to download and review the judging rubrics for each category.  

Guidelines for Creative Writing: 

  1. Each entry requires a separate submission.
  2. Submissions may be handwritten or typed.
  3. Submissions should be no longer than 5 pages.
  4. Do not place any names, signatures, or identifying labels on the front of your work or in the submitted file of your work.
  5. Submission files may be jpeg, doc, or pdf. 
  6. Name the file the title of the writing. For example TheStoryofMyLife.pdf
  7. If submitting a photograph of the writing, the image must be in focus so the juror can read the submission.
  8. Writing MUST be original to the student (no copyrighted characters are used). It's ok to be inspired by the world around you, BUT you should not directly copy someone else's idea. Please DO NOT submit works with characters from popular TV shows, cartoons, comics, movies, video games, sports logos, and websites including guided YouTube tutorials. If you created your writing in a class for school, please tell us what class and the teacher who instructed you. Failure to credit sources will impact the juror's review and the ability for submitted artwork to appear in the final online gallery exhibit. For more on originality, refer to the sample judging rubric.

HOW TO SUBMIT - DO NOT EMAIL SUBMISSIONS. All submissions must be made online through Submittable. If you have questions, please email stakvillepto.buzzyz@gmail.com or contact your school - we want all children to be able to submit. Due to the large amount of submissions, failure to follow any of the guidelines will cause elimination. To see examples of work from previous Buzzy's competition visit: caad.msstate.edu/exhibitions/2021/buzzys-art-contest 

Tentative TIMELINE: 

  • DEADLINE to Submit online: January 19, 2025
  • Artwork & Writing Judged: February 2025
  • After judging is complete, families of students receiving award recognitions will be notified by Submittable through email (the account used in Submittable). Please make sure to check your junkmail box for notifications.
  • Awards Ceremony: Early March 2025, 6:00pm, Greensboro Center. Stay tuned for emails with updated information. Award Winners will be invited to any events. If you have any questions, please contact starkvillepto.buzzys@gmail.com.

Are you a potter, painter, photographer... or any other artist interested in exhibiting your works in a one-person show? SHARE YOUR WORK WITH US!


Send us your best work (images you provide must represent the work you wish to submit).

How it works: 

  • Submit your works online
  • Our committee will review your submission and reach out to you when vacancies for Solo Exhibits need to be filled. Art in Public Places exhibits generally last 2 months per show and alternate between group and solo shows, so solo spots are VERY LIMITED annually.
  • Response times to your submission will not be immediate and may be months after you have submitted. 
  • You do not need to withdraw your submission unless you no longer wish to exhibit with us or your work fundamentally changes. 
  • For all rules and regulations, please visit www.starkvillearts.net/creativeeconomy. 


For additional questions, please contact us at arts@starkvillearts.org.

To view past Art in Public Places exhibits, please visit www.starkvillearts.net/aipp


Starkville Area Arts Council