CoMo Preservation's ART-chitecture Contest

An Art Contest to Celebrate Columbia, Missouri’s Historic Architecture

Free, Open to All Ages & Mediums (even Legos!)

+The registration form which includes an uploaded digital photograph of the completed artwork must be submitted no later than April 1.

+See below for the annual theme/focus/subject for your artwork.

+Artwork needs to be dropped off at the Columbia Art League in April. Registrants will be notified of artwork drop-off details via email.

+Award recipients will be notified by the end of April.

+Selected works will debut at our annual Cake & Cocktails event in May.

+Following the debut, the exhibition will travel to additional venues throughout the year.  

Submit the online registration form which requires an uploaded digital photo of completed artwork by April 1, 2027.

Contact us if you have questions.

Sign-up for our newsletter to be notified of contest results, venues displaying artwork of awardees and future contest announcements.

Founded in 2022, CoMo Preservation is a grassroots, all-volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to preserving Columbia’s architectural heritage through education, advocacy and restoration. Since our first meeting in 2022 we have posted many images either on our website, social media, blog etc. We are in awe of the amazing photography and artwork that features Columbia’s architectural treasures. This inspired us to host the ART-chitecture Contest. This annual Contest is also a chance to honor and celebrate the architects, designers, engineers, masons, and other artisans that created the historic places and spaces that shape our community and provide a sense of place.  

The ongoing CoMo Brick & Mortar Projectis a public history project by CoMo Preservation and The District. The Project involves a team of researchers who write the history, stories, and architectural tidbits about each property. Information gathered from this project will be shared on The District’s website, featured in tours, and displayed to educate the community about our architectural heritage. In celebration of this Project, please select at least one of these buildings as the inspiration for your artwork.

Hall Theatre, 102 S. Ninth Street

Howard Municipal Building, 600 E. Broadway

Crane-Cho Building, 910 E. Walnut

Katy Train Depot, 402 E. Broadway

Herald Building, 1020 E. Broadway

Tiger Hotel, 23 S. Eighth Street

Vess Bottling Company, now Tony's Pizza, 17 N. 5th Street

Uptown Theater, now El Rancho/recently Slackers, 1010-1019 E. Broadway

Parson Sisters’ Beauty Parlor, 1101 E. Broadway

Niedermeyer Apartments, also Magnolia's Whisky & Wine Bar, 920 Cherry St

Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 105 Waugh St

Coca Cola Bottling Company Building, now Uprise Bakery/Ragtag Cinema, 10 Hitt Street

Contest Results

Thank you to our Project Partners!