The University Open is one of the largest juried exhibitions in Kentucky, featuring work by university students from across the Commonwealth. Selected artworks will be exhibited at ArtsPlace Gallery, one of Lexington’s premier visual art spaces.
The prizes are as follows:
1st place: $300
2nd place: $200
3rd place: $100
Submission Guidelines:
- Any undergraduate (B.A. or B.F.A. seeking) artist enrolled in a Kentucky college or university can apply.
- Mediums Accepted: We welcome a variety of mediums, including but not limited to painting, sculpture, photography, mixed media, and digital art.
- Submission Format: Digital images of the artwork should be submitted in high resolution (300 dpi). Please include the title, medium, and dimensions for each piece.
- Number of Submissions: Each artist may submit up to three artworks. A series of work may be submitted and will count as a single submission.
- Sale of Artworks: Artists have the ability to sell artworks selected for the exhibition, though this is not required. Artists receive 70% of artwork sales and LexArts retains the other 30% as commission.
Important Dates:
- Submission Deadline: April 18, 2026
- Artist Notification: April 24, 2026
- Artwork Delivered to ArtsPlace: April 27 - May 1, 2026
- LexArts HOP & Awards Reception: May 15, 2026
- Private Viewing Hour for Artists, Friends, & Family: 4 - 5pm
- Awards: 5:00pm
- HOP Reception: 5 - 8 pm
- Artwork Pickup: June 29 & 30, 2026
If you have any questions, please contact Arden Barnes at abarnes@lexarts.org.