Data Art 2026 Submission Form

To download a PDF version of this prospectus, click here

2026 Prospectus

The Art of Planetary Science 2026: Space Through Our Lens

The Art of Planetary Science (TAPS) show at University of Arizona’s Lunar and Planetary Laboratory (LPL) is an exhibition of art—created from and inspired by the solar system and the scientific data with which we explore it. All types and levels of artists and scientists are encouraged to submit to the show!

Policy on Use of Artificial Intelligence: Images created or substantially modified using generative AI tools such as DALL-E, Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, DaVinci, or Adobe Generative Fill will not be accepted. Minor modifications of your own original works using genAI-assisted tools is acceptable provided the outcome can still reasonably and ethically be called original. Please describe the length of your AI-assisted usage in the submission form. It will be up to TAPS discretion to reject or accept such works, and accepted works will be labeled for transparency.

We seek visual, audio, and written artwork from the following categories*:

Data Art

Artwork created from scientific research or scientific data for the purpose of planetary science or astrophysics. This includes: quantitative visualizations of scientific information, ideas, or equations; images or graphics created for the purpose of scientific research; and images or visualizations related to the use or operation of scientific or technical instruments. If the data used for the art is not solely the artist’s creation, the source of the data must be cited in the description of the piece.

Fine Art

Artwork created primarily for the sake of beauty, inspiration, and artistic self-expression. Artwork should be thematically linked to space, the solar system, astronomy, or related scientific fields. This includes (but is not limited to) painting, drawings, sculpture, astrophotography, music, poetry, clothing, jewelry, pottery, and film.

Theme: “Space Through Our Lens” 

For both Fine and Data Art, a themed category this year will be dedicated to artwork centered on the theme “Space Through Our Lens.” Submissions for this theme should evoke the feelings of inspiration and wonder when staring up at the night sky (e.g. through telescopes, cameras, etc.) and exploring our universe through a human perspective (e.g. our place in space). The artwork must still be categorized as either Data Art or Fine Art. 

*We reserve the right to change the category of any submitted piece at our discretion.

Submit Artwork

You may submit up to 3 pieces of art by completing a separate submission form for each. To submit your artwork, please fill out the online submission form available on our website.

The submission form requires a high-quality image or other file of the finished piece. Please submit the digital version of your work in one of these preferred file types: JPG, JPEG, PNG, TIF, PDF, AVI, MP3, MOV. The maximum file size accepted is 300 MB. 

If your art is insufficiently represented at file sizes less than 300 MB (e.g., a 10 minute HD video), please contact us at PG4gdWVycz0iem52eWdiOnljeWduY2ZAdHpudnkucGJ6Ij55Y3lnbmNmQHR6bnZ5LnBiejwvbj4= to make arrangements to upload a larger file size. 

Shortly after the close of submissions (31 December 2025) we will notify all artists via email if their artwork has been selected for inclusion. Artists can expect a confirmation of inclusion no later than 31 January 2026.

All artwork must be ready to display upon delivery; artists not prepared by the final day of delivery risk exclusion from the show. 2D art including canvases, framed pieces, aluminum prints will be hung from a wire loop as depicted below. Artwork 3 lbs or heavier requires a hanging wire or other hanging system that can accommodate being hung as shown.

Smaller than 8.5”x11”, less than 3 lbs pieces that can be hung on a single thumbtack are acceptable as is. Artists are welcome to provide personal easels for large or heavy pieces, though we reserve the right to display them however we see appropriate. Prints, photographs, drawings, printed written works, and other artwork on lightweight paper should be matted or mounted on sturdier material. These extremely lightweight pieces will be hung using sticky velcro strips.

3D media will be displayed on table tops, the floor (for large pieces), or hung if appropriate. Artists should provide any desired stands, pedestals, ropes, etc. Videos are limited to 15 minutes in length, and should be in a format compatible with Powerpoint, NOT a YouTube Link (typically .avi, .mp4, .mov, .mpeg).

*Works that are shipped without a return label will NOT be shipped back by TAPS until a label is provided. 

Awards and Prizes

The show will be juried by professionals from both art and scientific fields. All awards, except People’s Choice, will be determined by these professionals. People’s Choice will be determined by votes from the public. Awards will be issued to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in Fine Art, Data Art, and “Space Through Our Lens” Themed Art. One People’s Choice winner will be chosen from all submitted artworks by the public during the show. 

Sale of Artwork

You may choose to list your artwork for sale at the event, however LPL cannot facilitate business transactions. We will provide space in the gallery to list your artwork for sale, if desired. Interested buyers will be responsible for initiating contact with you to make a purchase. If you make a sale as a result of this event, we kindly suggest you donate 10–20% of the proceeds to LPL to help sustain future Art of Planetary Science events. This donation is not required.

Important Dates: All times are in Mountain Standard Time (MST)

Online Submission Opens: August 31st, 2025

Online Submission Closes: 11:59 pm,  December 31st, 2025

Notification of Inclusion: January 31st, 2026

In-person Show Hours:

5 PM – 9 PM on February 27, 2026

1 PM – 5 PM on February 28, 2026

1 PM - 5 PM on March 1st, 2026