"The Canvas of Leadership" Cover Art Contest
Call to Artists
Details
| Deadline | August 16, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | The Aspen Institute Leadership Seminars |
| Location |
Description
“The Canvas of Leadership” Cover Art Contest hosted by the Aspen Institute’s Leadership Seminars department invites artists to creatively explore themes of leadership through visual art. This Contest celebrates the power of artistic expression to inspire reflection and human-centered leadership and may feature the winning artwork on the cover of the Aspen Executive Seminar book–allowing Seminar participants to further engage with the ideas that have shaped our world and explore what we owe ourselves, our organizations, and our communities as leaders.
This year’s Contest invites artists to reflect on and creatively express one or both of the following concepts:
○ Dialogue across Difference
○ Understanding over Agreement
We’re looking for original artworks that speak to the transformative power of leadership, dialogue, and reflection in today’s complex world. In this context, “art” is defined as a printed or digital artwork that mixes imagery and text to convey a message or idea. Submissions will be accepted electronically through an online Entry Form and must comply with the 2026 Rules & Guidelines.
Entries must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on August 16, 2026. Winners will be announced in October 2026.
Please visit our cover art contest landing page for more details and information: https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/aspen-leadership-seminars/cover-art-contest/
How to Participate
Review the 2026 Rules & Guidelines.
○ Create or identify your piece of art
○ Submissions may include painting, drawing, graphic design, or photography.
○ Orientation: portrait
○ Dimensions at least 8.5”x11” (2550px W x 3300px H) and no larger than 24”x36” (3600 x 5400
pixels).
○ Quality: 250 to 300 pixels per inch (ppi)
○ Preferred Format Options: .png, .jpg, .jpeg
○ Non-original computer-generated images, images generated using Artificial Intelligence (AI),
and traced images will not be accepted or judged.
○ We are seeking original artwork responsive to the Contest theme.
○ Artwork may explore any side of the concepts above. Please note that the Aspen Institute is a
non-partisan, non-profit organization and submissions including partisan political themes will
not be eligible for consideration.
○ Write a brief artist’s statement of no more than 200 words to explain your inspiration and how the
submission speaks to the Contest theme(s).
○ Submit your artwork using the Entry Form, including up to three high-resolution images.
○ Review and sign the Entry Agreement on the Entry Form.
This opportunity has been submitted by Connie Kim. The listing of the opportunity does not imply endorsement by the Division of Arts and Culture or the Department of State. Contact The Aspen Institute Leadership Seminars with questions or for more information.
