2021 Showgirl Legacy Foundation Art Competition Guidelines

Introduction

Now in its 14th year, the Showgirl Legacy Foundation (SLF) Annual Art Competition, attracts more than 250 professional artists and art students to come together each year to express their creativity through artworks of the Showgirl. The program consists of an iconic dancer from the stage shows wearing an authentic Showgirl costume, an educational panel by a group of entertainers, and a visual art competition judged by a group of professional art collectors. The winning artworks are awarded in cash prizes and are showcased with the original costumes from the Stage Show Spectaculars in various venues throughout the state of Nevada. Since 2008, the art competition has become a permanent part of the curriculum at the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts. Some of the previous competitions and exhibits have been featured by PBS, NBC, The Washington Post and The New York Times.

For 2021, we will continue to reformat the Showgirl Art Competition to online in light of the coronavirus challenges. To expand participation and artistic expression this year we encourage and will accept various art forms of your choice as long as it represents the iconic, classic showgirl/dancer from the stage show spectaculars. Winning artists artwork will be on display online and at venues to be announced, some past venues include Blick Art Materials, Barnes & Noble, the Nevada State Museum, and the Reno Historical Society.

THERE IS NO FEE TO ENTER THE SLF ANNUAL ART COMPETITION!

Prizes

Artists submitting entries will have the chance to win the following prizes:

First prize: $300

Second prize: $200

Third prize: $100

Fourth prize: $75

Special Mention 1st to 4th Place: $50

3 Special Mentions at $25

In addition to the cash prizes, each student will receive a 11 x 9 drawing pad, Prismacolor black and white pencils, and a kneaded rubber, thanks to a $250 Sponsorship from Thrivent Financial for art materials. Winners of the Art Competition will be notified in the Fall of 2021 at the contact information provided in the application form.  

Judging

The SLF Arts Competition is a juried show with numerous judges participated each year. Our judges of the competition have been selected by the President and board members of the SLF to represent the entertainers in the field of Showgirl such as costume designers and choreographers from the stage shows as well as the local community served by the SLF.

Last year we had 25 judges from various backgrounds critique the artwork, they included art collectors, sponsors, SHOWGIRLS, Nevada Ballet Theatres photographer, Bally’s Jubilee company manager, professional community artists, Bally’s Jubilee wardrobe manager, Vegas PBS producer of: Showgirls! A Las Vegas Icon, art instructors, and patrons/sponsors of the Showgirl art competition. Many of the judges come back each year and look forward to being involved.