The Arts + Culture Alliance (ACA), in partnership with the Iowa River Hospice, is excited to announce a photography contest aimed at creating a new permanent art collection for its Marshalltown facility, located at 502 Plaza Heights Rd.

The contest invites photographers from across Central Iowa to submit images that highlight scenic landscapes, nature, native wildlife & plants found throughout the region.

Shauna Callaway, Executive Director of Iowa River Hospice, shared, “following recent, wonderful updates to our hospice house, we are thrilled to launch this exciting new project in partnership with the Arts + Culture Alliance. We invite local photographers across our service area to help us fill our walls with warmth. We are looking for submissions that capture a sense of peace, joy and hope, bringing comfort to our patients and their families.”

The selected photographs will be featured within the Iowa River Hospice Home, helping to create a welcoming environment for patients, family, and staff. Photographers, age 18 and older, are encouraged to submit work in the following categories:

• Scenic Landscapes & Nature – Images that capture the beauty of Central Iowa landscapes.
• Native Wildlife & Plants – Photographs featuring local wildlife, and unique perspectives of Iowa’s native plants.

Selected photographers will receive a $25 stipend per image, and Iowa River Hospice will cover all printing and framing costs. Eligible submissions must be photographed within Central Iowa, including Marshall, Tama, Grundy, Hardin, Story, Jasper and Poweshiek.

Timeline 

• Application Opens: Monday, April 20^th, 2026
• Submission Deadline: Sunday, May 31st, 2026
• Artist Notification: Friday, June 26^th, 2026
• Stipends Distributed: Friday, July 17^th, 2026
• Estimated Installation: August 2026

“This call for photography holds special meaning when we think about those who will see these images each day,” said Kelbryn VanGundy, Marketing and Program Coordinator of the Arts + Culture Alliance. “Nature has a way of calming the mind and reconnecting us to meaningful memories and moments. We’re grateful to partner with Iowa River Hospice to create an environment that offers comfort and a sense of calm to all who enter.”

Photographers may submit up to 10 images per category. All submissions must meet specified technical requirements, including high-resolution formatting and digital submission guidelines. A selection committee composed of representatives from Iowa River Hospice and the Arts + Culture Alliance will review submissions anonymously.

Photographers interested in applying can submit materials via email to kelbryn@artsandculturealliance.org, including artist information, image descriptions, and properly formatted digital files. Please read the full application guidelines here: www.artsandculturealliance.org/news/