Skyway Juried Art Competition

The annual Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference (ISCC) Juried Art Festival provides an opportunity for student artists to display their work and acknowledge their expertise at the highest level. Jurors select the best works from the eight community colleges included in the ISCC. Students submit work to their art instructors, and the instructors select the pieces to represent their college in the competition.

• Eligibility

  Any student enrolled in a Skyway conference college is eligible to participate. Students who received awards at the previous Skyway (2025) are not eligible. College Skyway Art Coordinators are responsible for maintaining records and verifying eligibility. Submissions later identified as ineligible will be disqualified. Students will submit their work to their art instructors, who will select the pieces to represent their college in the competition (limit: 25 entries per college). Works must have been completed for class credit during the following semesters: Spring 2025, Summer 2025, Fall 2025, and Spring 2026. If the class assignment from which the student’s submission originates involves copying an artist’s work or creating a piece influenced by or based on another artist’s work, proper citation must be provided. If the artwork is chosen for the exhibition, the host college will include this information on signage identifying the piece.

• Submissions

  Students may submit 1-2 pieces online and then drop off the work at the Art Office (A144) during the designated times. Complete the online entry form before dropping off the artwork. Entries do not need to be framed for judging, however, works on paper must be at least temporarily mounted on a rigid backing with a cover sheet to protect the surface. Wet paintings should stay in the studio. Selected works should not significantly increase in size when framed.

• Presentation

  All 2D artwork must be properly framed and wired for hanging—use braided picture wire only. No sawtooth hangers are allowed. Stretched canvases must be wired, but do not need to be framed if the sides look presentable. Both 2D and 3D works should not exceed 60 inches in any dimension. Artwork must fit through a 3-by-7-foot doorway. The weight limit is 75 pounds.

• Awards

  All students whose work is accepted for the exhibition will receive a Certificate of Recognition. The jurors will select the following awards: Best of Show, four Awards of Excellence, and four Awards of Merit. The awards will be presented during the Skyway Juried Art Competition Reception at Elgin Community College on March 11, 2026.

• Liability

  Every effort will be made to ensure proper care and handling of the artwork while it is on the host college campus. Only works accepted for exhibition will be insured while on display. Instructors should help students determine reasonable values for their work. Works will be insured up to a maximum recoverable amount of $200, but if no insurance value is provided, a limit of $50 will be covered. Special exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Damaged digital artwork will be reprinted at no cost to the student. Elgin Community College and the Skyway Juried Art Competition will not assume responsibility for the loss or damage of works during transit.

• Calendar

  Work not received during the specified times will not be accepted. Please coordinate with your instructors if you are unable to submit your entries at the designated times.

  • • Artwork to be delivered to the Art Office (A144) on:
      • Tuesday, December 2 from 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
      • Wednesday, December 3 from 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
      • Thursday, December 4 from 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
    • Monday, December 8 – A list of the 25 entries chosen by the MCC Art & Design Department faculty for submission to the 2026 Skyway Juried Art Competition will be emailed and posted outside studio classrooms.
    • December 9–11 – Pick up declined entries from your instructor or at the Art Office (A144) between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily.
    • During the semester break – selected artwork will be photographed and reviewed by the jurors at the host college from February 10 to 12. A list of entries chosen by the jurors for the exhibit will be posted outside the art classrooms on Monday, February 16, and students will be notified via email.
    • Tuesday, February 24 – Due date for selected works to be framed or otherwise “ready for hanging” and returned to the Art Office (A144).
    • Wednesday, March 11 – Skyway Reception and Awards Ceremony at Elgin Community College (main campus, Building H, Room 100) from 6 to 8 p.m. — remarks and winners at 7 p.m.
    • April 14-16 – Pick up exhibited artwork from the Art Office (A144) between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily.

Contact Trevor Power, Art Gallery Curator, at (815) 455-8785 with questions.

View Past Skyway Competition Awards and Juried Entries »

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