WE WANT YOU…

to help Stuhr Museum commemorate the 250th anniversary of American Independence! 

How? Create something—and Stuhr Museum may exhibit it!

Answer the question: “What does the American Dream mean to you?”

We’re looking for original creative works that share your experience of the American Dream within your community—whether that’s your town, school, club, neighborhood, or another group.

Your piece can reflect on your interpretation the American Dream in the past, present, or even imagine its future. Tell your story through stationary visual art, such as a sketch, painting, quilt, sculpture, sheet music, poem, story, etc.

Individuals, teams, and groups from all communities along the Platte River Valley are invited to submit their stories to be a part of this creative tribute to America’s 250th anniversary.

For specific submission details, see the official rubric and parameters below.

Download & Print Resources:     

SUBMISSION INFORMATION & RUBRIC

BROCHURE          FLYER

Submit your artwork!

Rubric Specifications: A selection committee will select the pieces with the most community connection in relation to the American Dream, which tell the best story about the American Dream, which reflect the most artistic effort, and which display the most artistic skill. The committee aims to select as many pieces from numerous locations across the Platte River Valley as possible. This will be a curated exhibition; selection will be made with preference to the space requirements of the exhibition and ease of displaying pieces together into themes. There are no prizes save the opportunity to display your creation.

Parameters: Create something that tells a story about the American Dream in your community along the Platte River Valley. Show us how it intertwines with your community’s history and independence.

This can include (but is not limited to): A painting, a quilt, a sketch, a sculpture, sheet music, a poem, a story, etc. Must be a stationary object which can be placed on a wall, shelf, or display area. Visual mediums only.

• 2D pieces must not exceed 5’x7’ (this includes quilts, tapestries, paintings, etc).
• 3D pieces must not exceed 3’x3’x6’

This cannot include (but is not limited to): Living things or any pieces which require unique display accommodations, auditory mediums, etc.

Please be sure to include a brief description or artist statement explaining the American Dream in your community.

All submissions must be original and created by the artist.

Submission information:

All submissions must be made via photographs of the work, with piece measurements (length, width, height) and participant information included (where participants reside, their address, contact information). If the selection committee requires further photographs or case-by-case in-person examination, Stuhr Museum will reach out to arrange it.

All submissions must be submitted via the online submission form on Stuhr Museum’s website by 11:59 pm on November 30th, 2025.

All participants who have submissions selected for exhibition must sign an exhibition agreement (which assigns unconditional title of ownership of the piece to Stuhr Museum if the creator does not reclaim it in a given period of time).

Unless agreed otherwise in writing by the event organizer, all objects and submissions must be delivered and picked up by the creator.

Transportation information:

The selection committee process will begin 1/6/2026 and end 1/9/2026.

Selected submissions must be delivered to Stuhr Museum by 2/6/2026.

Event Timeline:

7/16/2025: Submissions open

1/4/2026: Submissions close

1/6/2026: Selection Committee begins selection process

1/9/2026: Selection Committee completes selection process

2/6/2026: Submission delivery/drop-off deadline

3/2/2026: Exhibit opens

1/4/2027: Exhibit closes, cleanup begins

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