LibArt

LibArt: Student Art in the Libraries

LibArt: Student Art in the Libraries is a year-long juried exhibition organized and sponsored by KU Libraries. Students from all majors and backgrounds are encouraged to submit their artwork for a chance to exhibit their work inside the libraries’ public spaces and win cash awards totaling $2,000.

Image of a digital painting by John Chen that depicts a figure approaching a seated robot in a forest setting.

View the digital show

146 pieces of artwork from over 60 students in 42 disciplines make up this year's show.

2024-25 Digital Exhibit

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why should I participate?

    It’s easy to apply, you can add this exhibition to your résumé and thousands of people will see your work. Selected works may be submitted for judging by campus and community artists.

  • Who runs this program?

    LibArt is organized by a committee whose membership includes KU Libraries staff and faculty with an interest in promoting student artwork.

  • How are awards given?

    Awards will be announced and presented at the recognition ceremony in late September. Guest jurors are selected for their experience and expertise in a range of related media, and represent a variety of backgrounds and skills, including artists, KU faculty and staff, and community supporters.

  • Spring Scholarship Show

    You are welcome to submit artwork to LibArt and the Visual Art Spring Scholarship Show simultaneously. You can submit digital images of a piece to the LibArt program, then submit the actual work to the scholarship show a few weeks later.

  • Acceptance of work

    We will contact all applicants via email within 10 days of the April 12, 2024 submission deadline.

  • Delivering accepted work

    We ask that selected art be delivered to Murphy Art & Architecture Library by the end of finals week. It should be ready to hang (pdf) — matted, mounted or framed, with hanging wire or brackets.

  • Length of exhibition

    Works accepted to the LibArt Exhibition will be displayed for the majority of a year. The show runs from August through May, so we’ll be in touch to coordinate pick-up of accepted work the following spring.

Guidelines & Policy

Painting of mountain peak with colorful clouds in the sky

Submission Guidelines

All currently enrolled KU students (undergraduate and graduate) are eligible to submit up to five (5) original works of art for consideration.
Full entry requirements
Digital illustration of cat pouring tongues into a cauldron

Exhibition Policy

Selected works should be delivered to the agreed location ready for hanging, will be installed within the libraries, and secure.
Full policy details
Committee member hanging piece of artwork in Anschutz Library

LibArt Committee

The committee strives to make libraries a welcoming and inclusive environment by making artwork visible.
Get to know us
Best in Show "Kipuka amongst the tall grass" shows a child's knees crossed in the tall grass

2023-24 Award Winners

Each year, judges award LibArt pieces for the highest honors in each category.
View the winners