Artists Beyond Boundaries Fundraiser
What is it?
Artists Beyond Boundaries is an art event and fundraiser by Access to Independence. It celebrates art made by people with disabilities in Wisconsin.
Why it matters
This event shows how strong and creative artists with disabilities are.
It gives artists attention, money, and a chance to share their work with the world. It also helps raise money for Access to Independence's programs and services.
Resources for artists
Other helpful links
How it works:
-
It’s free to enter!
-
Anyone with a disability can enter, no matter your age.
-
You can enter up to two pieces of art.
-
We’ll accept entries until we run out of space, so it’s first-come, first-served.
-
You must fill out and turn in the Artist Entry Form with your artwork.
Prizes:
-
5 - $250 awards as decided by jurors
-
2 - $100 Blick Art Gift Cards, chosen as People's Choice Awards
_JPG.jpg)
Event Updates
What’s New This Year
Dear Artists,
We’re so grateful for the creativity, passion, and heart you bring to Artists Beyond Boundaries year after year. This event wouldn’t exist without you, and we’re committed to making it a meaningful, rewarding experience for everyone who participates.
To keep ABB going strong—and to make it even more engaging for artists and guests—we’re making a few important changes this year. These updates will help us cover event costs, raise funds for our programs, and keep the focus where it belongs: connecting with artists, sharing your work, and celebrating art together.
Selling Your Artwork
At ABB, you’re welcome to sell the pieces you enter. You’ll get 100% of the price you set—no fees, no commissions.
Here’s the fun part: during the event, we’ll also host a silent auction for each piece. If bidding goes above your asking price, the extra amount will be split evenly between you and Access to Independence.
Since ABB is also a fundraiser, our portion of the proceeds will help support the programs and services we offer in the community. It’s a win-win—you earn money for your art, and together we make a difference!
Awards – Bigger and Better!
This year, we’re shaking things up to make our awards even more exciting. Instead of lots of smaller prizes, we’ll have fewer awards with bigger payouts.
That means if you win, you could take home a more substantial prize—recognizing not just your talent, but the incredible work you put into your art.
No Calendar This Year
We know the ABB calendar has been a beloved part of the event, and it will be missed. However, creating and producing the calendar each year takes a significant amount of resources.
Removing it allows us to better focus on our fundraising goals and ensure the event can continue for years to come. This decision wasn’t made lightly, and we truly appreciate your understanding as we put our energy toward the parts of ABB that have the biggest impact for both artists and our community.
In-Person Submissions Only
Starting this year, we’ll only accept in-person submissions for ABB. We will no longer take digital entries.
This change will help us better prepare for the event, ensure we have all artwork on hand for judging, and allow us to connect with you personally when you drop off your pieces. It also means fewer surprises on event day and a smoother process for everyone involved.
To Sum Up,
We’re excited about these updates and believe they will make this year’s ABB more engaging, rewarding, and fun for everyone involved. Our goal is to put the spotlight on you—the artists—your work, your stories, and your creativity. Thank you for your continued support, understanding, and passion. We can’t wait to celebrate your incredible art with our community!
Important Information
-
This year’s event will only include artwork displayed in person.
-
(no virtual entries this year)
-
-
You can submit up to two pieces of art.
-
Drop off artwork between June 10th and September 30th
-
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM,
-
or Ship to:
Access to Independence
3810 Milwaukee Street
Madison, WI 53714
-
-
All entries must include a completed Artist Entry Form.
-
If mailing your art, label your package: "For Artists Beyond Boundaries"
-
If you want your art returned, you must include prepaid return postage (like a return shipping label).
We cannot send it back without that.
🎉 In-Person Event
Date: Thursday, October 16
Time: 5:00 – 8:00 PM
Location:
Goodman Community Center
214 Waubesa Street
Madison, WI 53704
🎨 After the Event
-
Pick up your artwork after the event ends on October 16, or
-
Pick it up at Access to Independence between October 17–31, during business hours.
-
If you mailed your art and want it back, remember:
You must include prepaid postage.
💰 Selling Your Art
-
You can choose to sell your artwork at the event.
-
If your art is sold, you keep the full amount you asked for.
-
Access to Independence will facilitate a silent auction for the pieces being sold. Anything about the artist's asking price will be split 50/50 with Access to Independence to support our fundraising goals.
_JPG.jpg)
_JPG.jpg)
