2026-2027 AWARDS
$12k to Spark Big Dreams!
Sparks of Color is an exciting new year-round awards program created to champion and reward colored pencil artists who are using their talents to benefit others. Each award or grant celebrates the incredible things artists are doing with colored pencil while encouraging work that makes a difference.
Presented by annkullberg.com and The Jeff & Cynthia Knox Artist Foundation, the program will award a total of $12,000 to artists in 2027 through grants, community awards, emerging-artist recognition, and quarterly themed shows.
The first People's Choice Theme Show, "Beloved Companions" is FREE to enter and OPEN NOW >
EXPLORE ALL THE AWARDS
Why Sparks of Color?
Sometimes, a little recognition is all it takes to fuel a passion and inspire someone to keep going.
Cynthia Knox and I feel incredibly lucky to have built careers doing something we love—and to have found such an amazing, welcoming community in the world of colored pencil. We’ve been inspired, encouraged, and supported by so many artists along the way. Now we want to pay it forward. Sparks of Color is our way of celebrating artists who are giving back to their communities through their art, while encouraging others to keep chasing their own colored pencil dreams.
— Ann Kullberg
4 Ways You Can Participate
A whole year of colorful award opportunities
Whether your spark is a big creative vision, a meaningful community project, a growing artistic voice, or one unforgettable piece of art... there is a place for you here.
FOUR THEMED SHOWS
$100
People’s Choice Theme Show Awards
Quarterly online exhibitions where artists share their work, the community explores the gallery, and the public chooses a favorite to win a $100 cash prize and bonus $50 gift card for annkullberg.com. First theme: Beloved Companions, a celebration of the pets, farm animals or wildlife close to your heart.
Open NOW – Submit your artwork!
Rules & How to ApplyTWO AWARDS EACH YEAR
$1,500
Community Impact Award
For recognizing artists who are currently using colored pencil to teach, connect, encourage, serve, or make a meaningful difference in their community, awarded twice a year to an artist or group in March and September 2027.
First applications open Nov. 18, 2026
Rules & How to ApplyA RISING VOICE
$600
Emerging Artist Award
Awarded annually to a colored pencil artist whose work shows exciting promise, a distinct point of view, and the courage to keep growing. It offers encouragement as you establish or expand your colored pencil practice and take your next creative step. Imagine what a little support and recognition could help you pursue next.
Applications open Feb. 17, 2027
Rules & How to ApplyTHE CULMINATING AWARD
$8,000
Vision Grant
Open to individual artists and small groups, the Vision Grant will support an ambitious project designed to make a meaningful impact in the colored pencil community. It’s for artists ready to take a bold leap—whether that means producing an exhibition, creating a mentorship program, making a documentary about the medium, or finding an entirely new way to elevate and grow the world of colored pencils.
Applications open July 7, 2027
Rules & How to ApplyQuestions before you apply?
Detailed eligibility, project examples, submission guidelines, and FAQs are available by clicking the "Rules & How to Apply" button under each award description above. If you still need help, reach out to us at [email protected].
First People’s Choice Theme SHOW
Beloved Companions
Celebrate the animals who leave pawprints, hoofprints, feathers—or simply an unforgettable mark—on our lives. Submit an original colored pencil artwork, explore the online gallery, and help choose the first Sparks of Color People’s Choice winner.
Submissions: Now through December 23, 2026
Public voting: December 27–January 3
Winner announced: January 6, 2027
♥
Colored Pencil Community Show
Save the Dates
The 2027 Award Year
Opportunities roll out throughout the year, building toward the $8,000 Vision Grant which opens for applications in July.
01
Nov. 4, 2026
Program Launch
Sparks of Color is announced and the first People’s Choice Theme Show opens for submissions.
02
Jan. 6, 2027
People’s Choice #1 Winner Announced
Beloved Companions Theme Show winner announced. Submissions open now.
03
March 10, 2027
First Community Impact Award
First $1,500 recipient announced. Applications open Nov. 18, 2026 to Jan. 27, 2027.
04
April 14, 2027
People’s Choice #2 Winner Announced
Second quarterly People's Choice Theme Show winner announced. Submissions open Feb. 3, 2027. Theme TBD.
05
June 9, 2027
Emerging Artist Award
$600 Emerging Artist recipient announced. Applications open Feb. 17 to April 28, 2027.
06
July 14, 2027
People’s Choice #3 Winner Announced
Third quarterly People's Choice Theme Show winner announced. Submissions open May 5, 2027. Theme TBD.
07
Sept. 8, 2027
Second Community Impact Award
Second $1,500 recipient announced. Applications open May 19 to July 28, 2027.
08
Oct. 13, 2027
People’s Choice #4 Winner Announced
Final quarterly People's Choice Theme Show winner announced. Submission open Aug. 4, 2027. Theme TBD.
09
Nov. 4, 2027
$8,000 Vision Grant Recipient Selected
The year’s largest award and culminating moment. Applications open July 7 to Sept. 22, 2027.
How It Works
You Bring The Vision, We Light The Spark
1
Choose your opportunity
Review the award descriptions, eligibility, requirements, and dates.
2
Share your work or vision
Submit your artwork, project, story, or application through the appropriate form.
3
Let the spark travel
Judges or the public select recipients, and we follow the winners’ journeys together.
K
The Spark Behind the Awards
A Partnership Built Around Artists
The Jeff & Cynthia Knox Artist Foundation's support is the foundation of Sparks of Color. Their annual commitment makes it possible to move beyond applause and blue ribbons and offer colored pencil artists something tangible: time, resources, recognition, and room to dream bigger.
The team at annkullberg.com is honored to help bring Jeff and Cynthia's vision to life. Let's keep sparkling together!
Stay Close to the Spark
Be the first to know when each opportunity opens.
Get application dates, People’s Choice themes, gallery announcements, winner stories, and progress updates sent straight to your email inbox.
STAY CLOSE TO THE SPARK
NEW TO OUR COMMUNITY?
New to Our Community?
Since 1999, Ann Kullberg and her team have been helping colored pencil artists learn, grow, and connect through COLOR Magazine, books, tutorials, live workshops, and more.
Sparks of Color is a natural extension of what we've always loved most: uplifting artists. We'd love for you to explore our little corner of the colored pencil world!
Explore annkullberg.comEnjoy a Free Sample of COLOR Magazine
Presented by annkullberg.com & The Jeff & Cynthia Knox Artist Foundation. © 2026 annkullberg.com