2026 Prairie Plein Air Competition and Show Application

Please read the attached 2026 Prairie Plein Air Competition and Show Prospectus.

All entries will be displayed in the Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts building May 12-June 21, and will coincide with the 37th annual Prairie Arts Festival which is held Memorial Day weekend (Saturday and Sunday May 23 & 24, 2026). Judging will be completed mid-May. The winners will be posted on the Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts website at prairiecenter.org and the winning images may be used in advertising for future Prairie Plein Air events. 

Completed paintings/drawings may be turned in to the Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts on any weekday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. during the April 24 - May 8 painting period. Artwork must be picked up between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. June 22-26. The Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts will be closed on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25. Artwork not picked up by the deadline will be donated unless other arrangements are made. Artwork may not be picked up prior to June 22 since the show is advertised that it is displayed through, June 21, 2026.

INDEMNIFICATION AND HOLD HARMLESS
This Indemnification and Hold Harmless is provided to the VILLAGE OF SCHAUMBURG, a municipal corporation, located at 101 and 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg, Illinois, (hereinafter referred to as "VILLAGE"), by the Plein Air artist, named on the application participating in the 2025 Prairie Plein Air Competition and Show, (hereinafter referred to as "EXHIBITOR"):

WITNESSETH

The exhibitor agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Village of Schaumburg, its employees, agents, Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts, Prairie Center Arts Foundation, Prairie Plein Air Competition and Show, and the Prairie Arts Festival from and against any liability, claim, loss or expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of any injury or damage which is caused by, arises from or is in any way connected with participation in this program or event, excepting only that caused by the sole active negligence of the competition. The Village of Schaumburg shall not be responsible for accidents or losses that may occur to any of the exhibitors or Prairie Plein Air Competition and Show exhibits. The exhibitor is responsible for any injury or damage resulting from the exhibitor’s participation in the program or event. This includes any injury to others, not listed above or to the exhibitor or to the exhibitor’s property. I certify this entry will be my own work completed at the Schaumburg location I select. I acknowledge that I enter at my own risk and that these entries do not violate copyright or trademark laws. I certify that I have read this statement.

Entry fee is non-refundable.