PhotoSpiva: National Photographic Competition & Exhibition

Hosted annually by Spiva Center for the Arts, the competition is open to all amateur and professional US photographers.

Established in 1977, PhotoSpiva is the longest-running competition of its kind.

PhotoSpiva is a national competition hosted annually by Spiva Center for the Arts. Founded in 1977, PhotoSpiva has become the longest-running photographic competition of its kind in the U.S. As stated by the founders, the objective of PhotoSpiva is to “present an exhibition of excellence in photography, celebrating the scope and vigorous activity of today’s contemporary photographers.”

Co-Founder Jim Mueller stated, “We have intentionally avoided any categorization of either photographers or their work in setting forth the criteria for this competitive.” PhotoSpiva welcomes any photographic process as long as it is original artwork and has not been previously exhibited at Spiva Center for the Arts. This philosophy has created an unbiased forum for exhibiting and educating photographers. The PhotoSpiva prospectus, promotional materials and exhibition brochures are distributed to professional photographers, emerging artists, educators, students, and amateur photography enthusiasts throughout the United States.

Eligibility

PhotoSpiva is open to any amateur or professional photographer in the United States or its territories. Submitted images must be the photographer’s own work, and it is the sole responsibility of the photographer to obtain written releases from any recognizable person(s) depicted. Two-dimensional work derived from any photographic process — traditional, digital, or photo-based mixed media — is eligible as long as the work is original and has never been exhibited at George A. Spiva Center for the Arts. Three–dimensional work is not eligible for this competition and exhibition.

Key Dates

  • Entry Period | October 31, 2022 – January 1, 2023 @ Midnight
  • Opening Reception | Friday, March 17, 2023 @ 5:30 – 7:30 PM
  • Exhibition | March 18 – May 13, 2023
  • Juror’s Lecture & Portfolio Reviews | March 18, 2023

How do I enter?

Begin entering on October 31, 2023

You’ll be Able to Enter Online

Deadline is Jan 1, 2024

Entry Fee

$40 fee is required to enter five (5) photos. You must enter 5 photos and no less. If you wish to submit more than five images, each additional entry is $10

What do I need to enter?

The images need to be JPEG formatted and in RGB color mode. You aren’t required to give us a specifically sized image, but a good guideline is to make either the width or the height about 1600 pixels and maintain the aspect ratio.

Awards

Place | Value

1ST | $1,000

2ND | $750

3RD | $500

Merit Award (3) | $150

Honorable Mention (3) | $100

All photographic content is protected under Copyright law. Use is prohibited unless permission is obtained.All non-photographic content Copyright © 2012 George A. Spiva Center for the Arts.

Read the full terms and conditions.

PhotoSpiva is presented by Freeman Health System with additional support from the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.

Richard Tuschman began experimenting with digital imaging in the early 1990s, developing a style that synthesized his interests in photography, painting and assemblage. Since 2012, beginning with his celebrated series, Hopper Meditations, he has focused on creating cinematic, open-ended photographic narratives that explore the complexities and emotional nuances of human relationships. Tuschman holds a BFA from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and has been exhibited widely, both in the US and internationally, including the Museum of Contemporary Art in Krakow, Poland, AIPAD in NYC, and the Photovisa Festival in Krasnodar, Russia. Tuschman’s projects have twice been selected to the Photolucida Critical Mass Top 50, he was a Finalist for the New Orleans Photo Alliance Clarence John Laughlin Award in 2015 and 2016, and was named a New York Foundation for the Arts Fellow in Photography in 2016. Richard Tuschman currently lives and works in New York City.

Learn more about Richard at https://www.richardtuschman.com/

  • Steven J. Cromwell, 1977
  • John Sexton, 1978
  • Jean S. Tucker, 1979
  • Jim Alinder, 1980
  • Bob Kolbrener, 1981
  • Olivia Parker, 1982
  • Keith F. Davis, 1983
  • Carrol T. Hartwell, 1984
  • Mary Virginia Swanson, 1985
  • Lewis Koch, 1986
  • Gloria Baker Feinstein, 1987
  • Jack Welpott, 1988
  • Charles T. Butler, 1989
  • Jon Burris, 1990
  • Sally Gall, 1991
  • Evon Streetman, 1992
  • Keith F. Davis, 1993
  • Dennis Carlyle Darling, 1994
  • Tom Southall, 1995
  • Bill Thomas, 1997
  • Connie Imboden, 1998
  • George Tice, 1999
  • Keith F. Davis, 2000
  • Elizabeth Opalenik, 2001
  • Walter J. Bailey, 2002
  • Sal Lopes, 2003
  • Therese Mulligan, Ph.D., 2004
  • Robert and Shana Parke Harrison, 2005
  • Keith Carter, 2006
  • John Paul Caponigro, 2007
  • Rod Slemmons, 2008
  • Jim Stone, 2009
  • Deborah Klochko, 2010
  • Anthony Bannon, Ph.D., 2011
  • Andrew L. Moore, 2012
  • Natasha Egan, 2013
  • Dornith Doherty, 2014
  • Shannon Thomas Perich, 2015
  • Sean Kernan, 2016
  • Örjan Henriksson, 2017
  • Henry Horenstein, 2018
  • Patty Carroll, 2019
  • April Watson, 2020

Upcoming Events & Exhibits

PhotoSpiva Kids & Teens 

March 16 – April 20, 2024
Jo Mueller Reserve Gallery

Jo Mueller Small Works Auction

March 7 – 29, 2024
Sharon & Lance Beshore Gallery

PhotoSpiva 2024

March 16 – May 4, 2024
Freeman Health System Main Gallery

Contact Us

Location & Hours

Monday: Closed

Tuesday: 10:00AM – 5:00PM

Wednesday: 10:00AM – 5:00PM

Thursday: 10:00AM – 5:00PM

Friday: 10:00AM – 5:00PM

Saturday: 10:00AM – 5:00PM

Sunday: Closed

212 W. 7th Street
Joplin, M0 64801