15th Annual mini Auction for the Arts

The Arts Council of Big Sky is pleased to host the 15th Annual mini Auction for the Arts. This year we are shaking things up with an online-only auction of small works as we begin the BIG transition to the Big Sky Center for the Arts. Artwork will be on display in the BASE Community Center Gallery in Big Sky and online auction open January 6th - February 19, 2027.

We are seeking original artwork for our juried online auction for full donation to the Arts Council. While this is not typically the model we use, we are deeply committed to supporting and sharing the work of our beloved artists. We believe transitioning to this model this year will allow us to continue our full-circle format in the future while also allowing us to create a space that supports artists and their development within the scope of our new building. 

• Maximum size of artwork is 12x12” and minimum is 4x6”
• Open to all mediums
• 2D work must be ready to hang with hangwire
• 3D work must be stable for display
• Application Deadline: December 1, 2026
• Acceptance Notification: December 15th, 2026
• Artwork Due: December 31st, 2026

Your donation of artwork is a significant investment in the future of arts in Big Sky. Your contributions now will help pave a path for bigger opportunities for artists in the future.

Thank you for helping create ARTS for ALL!

Applications are due Tuesday, December 1st, 2026 - please reach out to Jesine Munson jesine@bigskyarts.org if you have any questions or issues. Artists will be notified of selection no later than December 15th and artwork must be received by December 31st.

Further details will be shared upon acceptance!

• Small works will be fully donated to the Arts Council of Big Sky and as such, become property of the Arts Council of Big Sky.
• An itemized receipt for the value of materials used for the accepted artwork donation is up to the artist's descretion for tax purposes. 
• We ask that artists support this auction positively and share their work with their own audience. We will provide marketing support and share with our audience as well.
• If accepted, work must be delivered in quality, salable condition, ready to display.

Artwork Selection Criteria and Application Preparation Checklist

Artwork Selection Criteria

Subject Matter

• Is the subject matter compelling to our audience?

• Is it unique or is the subject matter repeated across too many artworks?

Scale/Size

• Is the size within the small works requirement (4x6 minimum, 12x12 maxium)

Salability

• Can we envision a potential buyer for this item? 

• Is it appealing to diverse tastes?

• Is the artist established and recognizable or a talented up-and-comer?  

• Is it representative of the artist's best work? 

• Is it a limited edition?

Style

• Do we have a range of types/genres of artwork? (e.g., photography, pottery, painting, sculpture)

• Do we have a range in styles? (contemporary, western, classical, abstract, etc) 

Price

• Is the price fair and appropriate? 

• Do we have the right number of items in each price tier? (low range $100-499, mid range $500-999, top tier $1000+)

• Does the price suit our market?

Application Submission Preparation

Please compile, collect, or otherwise prepare the following information for your application. You may submit up to three artworks for consideration.

• Brief artist statement/bio. Your artist statement is an introduction to your work and should be no more than 150 words. Describe who you are, where you are from and the basic premise behind your work, artistic style, and vision. What do you want to say with your art? What is it that makes your work unique? What inspires you? What makes you stand out from the rest of the artists working in your space? If your art is selected, this will be included in the description of your artwork.

• For each artwork submitted, you will need to provide a statement about the piece that will be used for our Auction entry and the Fair Market Value. 

  • The “Fair Market Value” is the estimated price the artwork would sell for under normal conditions. This value will be provided to potential bidders for reference. 

• For each artwork submitted, you may upload UP TO THREE images of the SAME artwork. Good photos of your piece can make or break your application success!!! 

  • Copy/paste the website below for tips for taking good photos of your artwork, even just with your phone. Also a reference for how to compress your image size without losing quality

  • https://willkempartschool.com/how-to-photograph-your-paintings-with-your-iphone/
  •  https://www.fotor.com/blog/how-to-compress-images/