Call for Proposals for 2023 Winter Arts Snow Sculptures and Sculpting Teams Now Open

Professional, amateur, and collegiate teams from across Iowa and the Greater Dubuque region are invited to apply to participate. Teams of only Iowa residents may elect to compete for the State of Iowa title with the winner receiving an invitation to the 2024 U.S. National Snow Sculpting Competition in Lake Geneva, Wisc.; a cash prize of $1,000 is associated with the 2023 State of Iowa title. All teams are eligible for the People’s Choice award to be determined by the community; a cash prize of $300 is associated with the 2023 People’s Choice award. 

Entries must be received by 5 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023. Proposals can be submitted via email, mailed or hand-delivered to the Dubuque Museum of Art, or through an online application form. Application details are available below or at www.cityofdubuque.org/winterarts. 

For more information on Winter Arts, visit http://www.cityofdubuque.org/winterarts or contact City of Dubuque Arts & Cultural Affairs Manager Jenni Petersen-Brant at jbrant@cityofdubuque.org or Danielle Stowell, Winter Arts Coordinator for the Dubuque Museum of Art at dstowell@dbqart.org or 563.581.6988.  

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General Info for Sculpting Teams: All team members must be 18 years or older. Teams competing for the State of Iowa title are limited to 3 members, all members must be Iowa state residents. In the event a two-member team wins the State of Iowa title and goes on to participate in the National competition, a third member must be added. If a third in-state member is not achievable, an out-of-state member will be accepted with approval of state and/or national event organizers.  
 
Teams consisting of out-of-state sculptors may apply but will not be considered for the State title or for participation in National event. 

Professional, amateur, and collegiate teams are eligible; sculptors can only participate on one team. There is no entry fee. Proof of residency in the form of a photocopy of a driver’s license or state ID will be collected prior to the event if competing for State of Iowa title. 

Snow Sculpting Rules: Teams can begin carving on Thursday, Feb. 9, and will have until noon on Sunday, Feb. 12, to complete their sculpture. No media other than snow, ice and water may be used; colorants may not be added. No armatures are allowed. Sculptors must provide their own tools including buckets, ladders, and scaffolding. No power tools are permitted. Sculptures must be fully finished on all sides by noon on Sunday, Feb. 12. 

Snow Blocks: Each team is assigned a cube of manufactured and packed snow, 6 feet wide and deep by 8 feet tall within the Washington Park sculpting area. Finished pieces may not expand beyond 10 feet in width or depth; height is unlimited. The condition of the snow cannot be guaranteed. In case of significant inclement weather, the competition may be canceled. 

Subject Matter: Artists have the liberty of creating representations of realistic or imaginary subject matter. Because the sculptures will be in a public park the content must be appropriate for all ages. Sculptures must be an original design and not previously executed by the team prior to the competition. No trademarks or logos allowed.