Call for Kinetic Sculpture Art Submissions for Art in Motion: Kinetic Sculpture with Ivan Iler at the National Museum of Wildlife Art

The National Museum of Wildlife Art (NMWA) invites artists to submit artwork for the upcoming exhibition, Art in Motion: Kinetic Sculpture with Ivan Iler.

This exhibition brings together movement, engineering, and imagination through large-scale kinetic sculpture. The exhibition features four monumental works by artist and metal sculptor Ivan Iler, whose practice transforms steel into expressive, mechanically animated forms. Two sculptures—Fox and Hare and Whale Pair—will be presented indoors in the Wapiti Gallery, while Elephant and Unicorn will be installed outdoors along the Museum’s Sculpture Trail, activating both gallery and landscape with motion and visual impact.

The exhibition also includes this open call for kinetic artists to exhibit alongside Iler in the Wapiti Gallery, expanding the show into a broader platform for contemporary kinetic art. Interactive tables will invite visitors to design and build their own kinetic sculptures, reinforcing themes of creativity, engineering, and hands-on learning.

Artwork Specifications: 

• Artworks must depict wildlife and incorporate movement (kinetic).
• Artworks must be no larger than 2 x 2 x 2 feet and should be suitable for display on a small pedestal or for wall hanging.
• Only completed artworks will be considered.
• Only one submission per artist is permitted; collaborative works are acceptable.
• Artworks must be available for the full duration of the exhibition.
• We cannot accept artworks containing organic materials (including plant matter, fur, feathers, or bone) due to the risk of insects, mold, or other potentially harmful materials.
• Submissions containing hate speech or content that promotes violence, hatred, or discrimination against individuals or groups will not be considered.

Please submit artwork submissions here.

Exhibition Dates: May 28 – October 4, 2026.

Application Deadline: 11:59 p.m. MST, Monday, March 31, 2026.

Selected artists will be notified by April 10, 2026.