The Color of Music

The 2026 Color of Music competition explores Finnish composer Jean Sibelius’ FINLANDIA, featured in DSO’S February 28-March 1 Symphonic Landscape concerts.

Entrants will create an original piece of art using Finlandia as inspiration. The DSO and Youth Orchestra will be performing this exciting piece at an upcoming Classics performance. Born in 1865, Sibelius was deeply inspired by Finnish landscapes, folklore, and desire for independence.
Listen along as you create.* You can find lots of full recordings online, but here is a great link you can use!  

* Listen and interpret the music in your own way!

Artwork must be submitted to the Dubuque Museum of Art by Sunday, January 25, 2026

▶ 2 dimensional art only, on paper, canvas, or other similar flat surface. Acceptable materials include: paint (must be dry by time of delivery), crayons, pencil, pastels, mixed media, ink, etc. Photography and digital media also accepted.
▶ Artwork should measure at least 8.5”x11” not to exceed 24” x 36”. Horizontal or vertical orientation accepted.
▶ One entry per person

1 winner and up to 3 honorable mentions will be chosen per category
▶ Elementary school students (k- 5th grade)
▶ Middle and high school students (6th grade through 12th grade)
▶ College students and adults
▶ PHOTOGRAPHY (all ages)

▶ 2 tickets to the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Symphonic Landscapes (Feb 28-Mar 1, 2026).

▶ 1 FAMILY MEMBERSHIP to the Dubuque Museum of Art.

▶ Winning art will serve as cover art for the DSO’s February 28-Mar 1 concert program book.

▶ Selected works will be displayed in person at the Dubuque Museum of Art’s “The Color of Music” Exhibition, Friday, March 6, 2026 from 5-8pm
Dubuque Museum of Art - 1000 Jackson St, Suite 105. All submissions will be featured digitally on-site and online.

Submit your work by January 25th

CLICK HERE FOR ONLINE ENTRY FORM

Questions? Please email khoeper@dubuquesymphony.org or call the office at 563-557-1677