Art Royalty 

What is Art Royalty?

The first Art Queen was elected in 1907. At the time, the students of Springville High School–which then included all junior high and high school classes–were responsible for raising money to purchase paintings and sculptures for the museum’s permanent collection. To raise money, a Penny Vote was held. 

Each year, teachers and students nominated one student from each class. The nominees campaigned by collecting pennies from their classmates. At the end of the campaign period, the nominee who had raised the most money was crowned Art Queen. All of the money raised by the Art Royalty went towards purchasing an artwork selected by the students for the museum’s permanent collection. Once purchased, the Art Queen presented the artwork to the school in an honorary assembly.

Art Royalty has remained a proud Springville tradition for more than 100 years. Although procedures for selecting Art Royalty have changed, the attendants have continued to serve as valued ambassadors for the museum to the community. 

During their one-year tenure, Art Royalty assists with museum and community events, especially teen-centered programs. They facilitate the Children’s Tea, Children’s Art Festival, and assist with exhibition openings throughout the year. 

How do I apply for Art Royalty?

To be considered for Art Royalty, interested students must complete an online application detailing their school and extracurricular activities as well as service and arts-related experience. Applicants will also be asked to describe how they will promote the museum as a member of Art Royalty.

 Applications are submitted to the museum and finalists are chosen by an anonymous panel.

Finalists will be notified via email with details about the time and location of their interview and art presentation. Interview and presentation panelists will select Art Royalty. Newly selected members of Art Royalty will be recognized at a crowning ceremony held at the Art Ball on Saturday, May 18th, 2024. These members will serve for the next 12 months.

 View our application here.

 Questions?

Please contact Candace Brown at 801-400-3907 or CBrown@springville.org.

 Important Dates

Friday, March 15 — Online application opens

Friday, April 12 at 5pm — Online application closes

Friday, April 19 by 5pm — Finalists notified through email

Wednesday April 24  at 5pm — Art Royalty Workshop for finalists

Thursday, May 2 and Friday, May 3 — Interviews and Art Presentations

Friday, May 10 by 5pm — Art Royalty notified through email

Saturday, May 18 — Incoming Art Royalty introduced at the Art Ball

This schedule and details are subject to change.

 Application Details

Art Royalty is an inclusive opportunity. Applications are open to all rising high school juniors and seniors residing in Springville and Mapleton.

 As part of the interview process, applicants will select an artwork from the museum’s permanent collection and give a 3-5 minute presentation to a panel of museum employees. Applicants may select a work from the permanent collection currently on display in the museum’s upper or lower galleries:

• Artist & Academy: Highlights from the Soviet Collection (Upper Level)
• New Acquisitions and Collection Highlights (Upper Level)
• Favorite Ladies: Patterns, People, and Play (Lower Level)

 Applicants are encouraged to visit the museum to select an artwork on display before submitting their application. Applicants may also view the museum’s permanent collection online. The title and artist of the applicant’s selected artwork are required fields on the application form.

 Please click here to access our guide for preparing your art presentation.

 Finalists will give their presentation at the museum, in front of their selected piece, as part of the final interview process.