Competition Requirements

General Info for Sculpting Teams

Each team shall consist of two to three members, 18 years and older.
There are no state of Iowa residency requirements for the 2025 competition. Teams from the tri-state area are welcome to compete for cash prizes and People’s Choice awards.
Both amateurs and professionals are eligible; sculptors can only participate on one team. There is no entry fee.

Snow Sculpting Rules

Teams can begin carving on Thursday, Feb. 6, and will have until noon on Sunday, February 9 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 have to be fully finished on all sides by noon on Sunday, Feb. 9.

Snow Blocks

Each team is assigned (by lottery) a cube of manufactured and packed snow, 6 feet wide and deep by 8 feet tall in the Washington Park sculpting site. 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. Each team is assigned (by lottery) a cube of manufactured and packed snow, 6 feet wide and deep by 8 feet tall in the Washington Park sculpting site. 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 located in public space 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. The Winter Arts Festival organizers reserve the right to request alterations or request that a team revise their proposal for any subject matter deemed inappropriate for public display.

The Winter Arts Snow Sculpting Festival is an annual celebration of community creativity and serves as the closing event for DuMA’s landmark exhibition, Dubuque by Design: Celebrating 150 Creative Years. The theme for the 2025 Winter Arts Festival, “Creative Community”, highlights the power of collaboration and creativity in bringing people together. By celebrating the rich history of artistic expression in Dubuque through the Dubuque by Design exhibition, we are reminded of the importance of fostering a supportive and inclusive community that values creativity and innovation.

Ultimately, the Creative Community theme serves as a reminder that when we come together to create, we not only inspire each other but also strengthen the bonds that unite us as a community. And most importantly, we have a lot of fun in the process!

Judging Criteria

Sculptures will be scored and winners of the State of Iowa Champion title will be determined based on the following criteria:

CREATIVITY: Originality in composition and design (10 pts)
TECHNIQUE & CRAFTSMANSHIP: Excellence in execution of proposed design; Effective and interesting use of materials (10 pts)
OVERALL IMPRESSION: Quality of artistic composition; Audience impact / contemporary relevance (10 pts)

Awards Available

Includes cash prizes of $1,000 for first place.
People’s Choice Award: Determined by public vote gathered from 12 - 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 9. Includes cash prize of $300.

Additional Information

Apply online through Slideroom or download a PDF application. There is no fee to apply.

Applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 31, 2024. Applications can be submitted via email, mailed, or hand delivered to the Dubuque Museum of Art, Attn: Danielle Stowell, 701 Locust St. Dubuque, IA 52001, or via the online Slideroom portal.