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.
Impersonator Contest Rules
Hey y'all!
Starkville Area Arts Council and Starkville Strong are teaming up for a brand new fundraiser in 2025, Dolly Parton Fest! Join us for a fun weekend jam-packed full of Dolly fun! We're kicking off the weekend with a Dolly Parton Impersonation Contest on Friday night, followed by a Paint Party on Saturday, and a Bingo Brunch on Sunday. This fundraiser is sponsored by Dunkington Art & Jewelry.
If you want to participate in the Dolly impersonation contest, you've come to the right place! This Contest is part look-a-like, part performance. The deadline to apply is January 5, 2025, at midnight!
Categories:
- Amateur
- Pro
How it works:
- Applications are $10 per applicant. Open to any age, any gender. Applications will close on January 5 at Midnight.
- All applicants will be posted on SAAC's social media and the Top 10 (Top 5 Amateurs and Top 5 Pros) will be judged publicly using Facebook and Instagram. Judging will be live that week and the top 10 will be announced that Friday. The top 10 applicants with the most votes will be selected to perform at the contest on January 17th at Dunkington.
- There will be 2 elements to the performance 1. Catwalk and 2. Performance (Lipsync, live singing/playing, or monologue). Performances must be 1-2 minutes long.
- Judging format: 3 judges will judge based on 1. Likeness, 2. Performance, 3. Authenticity, and 4. Creativity
How to Apply:
- All applications must be made on SAAC’s submittable page. Submissions are $10 per person. Funds from Application fees are split between Starkville Strong and SAAC
- Applicants must submit a 30 second video of an example of their final performance or a brief impersonation. This will be posted on social media for the voting. This does not necessarily have to be in the final costume for the video. It can simply be a quick "Dolly greeting" introducing yourself in a Dolly-esque style or quoting a fun Dolly line, an excerpt of a past performance, ... anything that will get people to vote for you!
General Rules:
- Eligibility: Contestants under 16 must have adult consent in order to particpate and must be accompanied by a guardian at the contest. Any age particpant is welcome to apply. Applicants must choose between the Amateur and Pro categories and will be judged accordingly.
- Registration: All applications must be made on SAAC’s submittable page. Submissions are $10 per person. Funds from Application fees are split between Starkville Strong and SAAC. The deadline to apply is January 5, 2025, at midnight.
- Selection: Applicants' videos will be posted to SAAC social media. The public will vote on their favorite video and the applicants with the top 5 most votes in the amateurs and pros categories will be invited to perform at the Contest on January 17.
- Theme: Contestants should embody the spirit, appearance, and persona of Dolly Parton, including her music, style, and personality. Contestants will be judged on 1. Likeness, 2. Performance, 3. Authenticity, and 4. Creativity
Performance Rules:
- Costume: Contestants must dress in attire reminiscent of Dolly Parton, the better the likeness, the better chance you have of winning!
- Catwalk Segment: The first segment of the contest will be a catwalk/runway where contestant will talk down a runway and pose for the judges and spectators. This will help the judges judge the Likeness category
- Talent Segment: Contestants must give a 1-2 minute performance as the talent portion of the contest. Contestants must perform the performance method they selected in the application. Options include Lipsync (singing or monologuing), Live Singing, Live singing AND instrument playing, Monologuing (not singing, not lipsynced). Contestants total performance time CAN be a combination of these options things, but contestants should pick the option that suits their performance best.
- Presentation: Contestants will be judged on their ability to capture Dolly’s voice, mannerisms, humour, and charm. Judging categories include likeness, talent, and creativity.
- Instruments and Sound: Instruments must be provided by the contestant. Contest hosts can provide a microphone and sound system. Contestants must provide the hosts with a link, sound file, or flash drive of any songs or other sound requirements before the day of the contest.
- Props and Accessories: Small props are allowed, but contestants must set up and clear them within 1 minutes before and following their allotted performance time.
Judging Criteria
- Likeness (25%): How well the contestant’s costume and makeup resemble Dolly.
- Performance (30%): Singing, lip-syncing, or acting quality, and stage presence.
- Authenticity (25%): Faithfulness to Dolly's persona, voice, and mannerisms.
- Creativity (20%): Unique or original elements added while staying true to Dolly's essence.
Contest Logistics
- Order of Performance: Contestants will perform in an order determined by a random draw.
- Time Limits: Performances exceeding time limits of 2 minutes will be penalized.
- Judging Panel: A panel of judges will score each contestant based on the criteria above.
Awards and Prizes
- Prizes: TBD
Code of Conduct
- Good Sportsmanship: Contestants are expected to act respectfully toward one another and the judges.
- Appropriateness: All performances must be family-friendly, reflecting Dolly’s wholesome yet glamorous image.
- Disqualification: Contestants may be disqualified for inappropriate behavior, offensive content, or failing to comply with the rules.
If you have any questions, please contact SAAC at director@starkvillearts.org.
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:
- All art must be recent, created between January 2024 and January 2025.
- 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)
- Do not place any names, signatures, titles, or identifying labels on the front of your work or in the submitted photo of your work.
- Each entry requires a separate submission.
- Artwork image must be a Jpeg (jpg) file.
- Name the file the title of the artwork. For example AmazingPaintingofBird.jpeg
- Image must be in focus and cropped to show only the artwork (for example do not show someone holding the work).
- 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.
- Visit starkvillesd.com/news to download and review the judging rubrics for each category.
Guidelines for Creative Writing:
- Each entry requires a separate submission.
- Submissions may be handwritten or typed.
- Submissions should be no longer than 5 pages.
- Do not place any names, signatures, or identifying labels on the front of your work or in the submitted file of your work.
- Submission files may be jpeg, doc, or pdf.
- Name the file the title of the writing. For example TheStoryofMyLife.pdf
- If submitting a photograph of the writing, the image must be in focus so the juror can read the submission.
- 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.
Open call for submissions for our next AiPP Group Show - The 2025 Spring Showcase! The submission deadline is February 2, 2025. This show will be a HYBRID show: works will be on display in the Starkville Area Arts Council gallery as well as online. The exhibit will run from March 4 to May 6, 2025.
This show is open-themed, but the theme of Spring: new life, new beginnings, reinvigoration, a shedding of the old, and a representation of starting over is encouraged.
Best in Show awards will be given at the opening reception at SAAC on Saturday, March 8, 2025 (5:30-7pm)
NOTE: Only submit ONE work per submission. Artists can submit up to 3 works by submitting additional forms. All mediums accepted. Visit the page for our AiPP initiative at https://www.starkvillearts.net/creativeeconomy.html for additional rules and details.
This application is for consideration for SAAC's new SAAC Artist Store.
About the SAAC Artist Store:
SAAC has moved in with Proof Bakery to a new space on Main Street in Downtown Starkville! With a greater Main Street presence, we'd like to share this opportunity with artists in town who would like to sell their unique artwork in our space. Our space is limited to 4-5 artisans at a time, so reserve your spot today!
The SAAC Artist Store is located at 109 W Main Street (inside Proof Bakery) and is open during SAAC business hours (Tuesday-Friday, 10 am - 4 pm, excluding Holidays) as well as availability for sales during Proof business hours. SAAC handles all sales, taxes, and payments to artists. Specific rules and information can be found below.
Rules and Important Notes: PLEASE READ THOSE BEFORE APPLYING.
- All forms of work are eligible for acceptance, including but not limited to: Ceramics, Graphics, Jewelry, Literary Materials, Painting, Sculpture, and Traditional Crafts (including but not =limited to woodworking, candle-making, fiber arts, etc.) The goal is to have all accepted artists displaying different mediums, styles, etc. to provide customers with variety.
- Space is very limited, so we can only accept 4-5 artists at a time. Shelf dimensions vary and placement is based on currently available space and the mediums of accepted artists. All works must be for sale. All works must be original by the artist contracted with SAAC. Any items not meeting these requirements may be subject to removal.
- Artists will receive 60% commission of sales for works sold on their shelf. A 40% sales commission will be assessed against the retail price provided by the ARTIST. The ARTIST will be paid the gross, less commission and sales tax, on or about the 10th of the month following the month of sale. During special events (such as unWine or other events) that require discounts for participation, SAAC will discount pieces a maximum of 20% of listed price. The 20% sales commission will still be assessed and the artist paid the gross of the discounted price less commission.
- SAAC only provides the space to the ARTIST. The ARTIST will need to supply any and all decorations, business cards, signage, etc. for their shelf.
- Artists may change inventory at any time (by appointment with SAAC) to reflect new work, holidays, seasons, etc. Artist must provide SAAC with an updated Inventory Sheet upon any changes made to inventory.
- Space occupancy is first come first serve. Terms may be for 6 or 12 months, which may be reassessed at the end of the term. Limit 12 months total per artist.
- All accepted artists must follow our Community Engagement Policy (available on our website).
- A blank example Letter of Agreement and Terms and Conditions can be found on our website (www.starkvillearts.net).
If you still have questions after reading the instructions, please send an email to Juliette at director@starkvillearts.org. If you have technical issues with the application form itself, contact Submittable by clicking the "?" in the upper right or lower left of the form.
Acceptance Notes
All applications will be reviewed for acceptance by SAAC Staff and our current Board President. IF ADMITTED, you will receive a Letter of Agreement and Terms and Conditions. No admitted vendor will be allowed to set up until the Letter of Agreement is signed by the participating Artist and returned to SAAC.
The next round of applications will be reviewed and accepted before January 2, 2025.
This application is for consideration as a VENDOR in the Artisan's Village. If you wish to participate in the Juried Arts Exhibit, you must also submit that application. Application deadline is March 1st, 2025. #CDAF2025 is set for April 19, 2025.
Detailed rules are located at www.cdafestival.com/applications.html. THERE ARE CHANGES TO THE RULES THIS YEAR 2025 - PLEASE READ THOSE BEFORE APPLYING. If you still have eligibility questions after reading the instructions, please send an email to CDAFArtisans@starkvillearts.org. If you have technical issues with the application form itself, contact Submittable by clicking the "?" in the upper right or lower left of the form.
IF ADMITTED, you will receive a SECOND FORM to pay your booth fee. No admitted vendor will be allowed to set up until booth fees are paid. Booth fees are $150 per 10x10 booth (limit of 3 per vendor). If you apply by February 1st, 2025 - you will pay the "Early Bird" Booth fee of $125 per 10x10 booth (limit of 3 per vendor).
Thank you for submitting to the 2025 Cotton District Arts Festival Singer Songwriter Competition Showcase! The top 10 applicants will be selected to compete in a live performance date on March 1, 2025, at Starkville Community Theatre AT 4 PM.
- Songs must be original works written, composed, and performed by the submitter.
- Musicians may submit up to 3 songs per person.
- In the application form, please paste the URL link where the Songwriter Committee can view/listen to your song online.
- Once selected, Showcase participants will be contacted for further details regarding the Showcase.
- The Top 3 winners of the Showcase will be invited to perform at #CDAF2025 in shared time slot! (Plus, in the past, various winners from this competition have been hired to play at SAAC's annual fundraiser Forks & Corks).
DEADLINE: February 15, 2025 @ MIDNIGHT
This form is for NEW FOOD VENDORS. Vendors who attended previously should contact Taste of Starkville directly at TasteofStarkville@starkvillearts.org for the appropriate form.
For all rules, please visit www.cdafestival.com
This application is for the Juried Arts Exhibit, which is a competitive fine art show where pieces are listed for sale in a gallery setting. If you wish to participate in the ARTISAN'S VILLAGE to sell your work from a booth, you must also submit in that category.
Judging occurs in 2 phases: 1) acceptance to the show and 2) competition for prizes at the show. Starkville Area Arts Council and the Cotton District Arts Festival encourage submissions that reflect a diversity of talent, perspective, and medium. Show us what you've got!
DEADLINE: February 23, 2025
NOTE: The Juried Arts Extended Show runs from April 9–April 21, 2025 and will be located in the MSU Visual Arts Center in the Cotton District. A reception for will be held the night before the festival on Friday, April 18 at the VAC. Awards will be announced the morning of the festival on April 19.
RULES: All rules may be found on the CDAF website on the applications page.
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
Want to be considered as an act for our Music Stage(s)? Then fill out this form and we'll follow up with you! #CDAF2025 is scheduled for April 19, 2025 in the Cotton District!
Please be aware that our budget is limited and most accepted bands are from the local Golden Triangle area. For any questions, feel free to contact us at CDAFmusic@starkvillearts.org