7 TH ANNUAL CAPTURING A MASTERPIECE PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST
PHOTO SUBMISSIONS MUST HAVE BEEN TAKEN BETWEEN AUGUST 8 - NOVEMBER 2, 2026
We are pleased to invite ALL members and visitors to submit their personal photographs of Fenimore Art Museum and Fenimore Farm & Country Village for our 7th Annual Capturing a Masterpiece Photography Contest. We ask that the photographs be taken on-site at the museum between 8/8/26 – 11/2/26 and represent all that you love and appreciate about these two museums.
Enjoy this opportunity to visit the museums and enjoy all the beauty that summer and autumn in Cooperstown have to offer. A great way to show your artistic creativity while having a chance to WIN many fabulous prizes
Acceptable photos include building exteriors, some interiors, museum grounds, especially museum landscapes and our farm animals–– please remember interior pictures at Fenimore Art Museum are ONLY allowed in certain exhibitions (please check our visitor guide or at Admissions to confirm) and always without flash. Along with our contest for adults, we have a Junior prize for those 19 and under, more detail below. All entries may be used by the museums for future marketing purposes including advertising, social media, website, etc.*
ENTRY DEADLINE: The deadline to submit entries is Monday, November 2, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. The winners will be chosen from a panel of judges and will be announced no later than November 23. ONE GRAND PRIZE winner and winners from each museum (2 first, 2 second, and 2 third) will be chosen by the panel of judges. NEW this year we will celebrate In Nature’s Studio exhibition with a prize honoring these amazing works - “Best Museum Landscape Photography Award.”
*All contest rules and information subject to change. All entrants must agree that their name (aka Member/visitor name) and images can be displayed and used for Fenimore Art Museum and/or Fenimore Farm marketing and promotion without charge or copyright infringement, and that the images they upload are acceptable for public view. Photos added may also be displayed on FenimoreArt.org and FenimoreFarm.org and within the galleries, with credit given to photographer when possible. Employees of Fenimore Art Museum and/or Fenimore Farm are eligible to participate but cannot win the stated prizes – there will be a separate prize for the employee winner.
PRIZES: ELEVEN TOTAL PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED!
Grand Prize: A copy of the book Havana by Michael Eastman that tells the story about his feature exhibition at Fenimore Art Museum! Winner also receives a one-year Sustaining Museum Membership.
First Prize: A Glimmer Nights experience with up to 6 friends and/or family members – available dates to be shared with the winner(s)! Each winner also receives a One-Year Family Museum Membership!
Second Prize: A $50.00 Museum Shop gift certificate. Each winner also receives an Individual Membership (or $50 toward another level)
Third Prize: A Carousel book, 4 museum admission tickets, and 4 Carousel tokens — bring friends and family to the museums to celebrate your win with a spin!
Best Museum Landscape Photography Award: A museum mug along with a one-year Sustaining Museum Membership!
Best Selfie Award: Please note this can be an extra pic sent in for both museums - A museum mug and an Individual Membership!
Junior Award (for anyone 19 and younger to enter): WINNER receives a Polaroid Camera and 10 carousel tokens, so you can spin at the Farm with your friends & family — and take a few fun instant photos!
RULES:
- Photos will be judged on quality of the image taken, presentation, and the unique perspective of the photograph
- Photos are limited to building interiors*/exteriors, museum grounds, and farm animals at Fenimore Art Museum and Fenimore Farm.
- Submissions are limited to 2 images per contestant – except for this year you can send in 2 extra SELFIE photos for our Best Selfie Award only!
- Entrants must be 20 or older for the main contest / 19 and under for the Junior Award.
- Upload your image to this site only
- Please do not include any copyrighted material in your submission. Any entries found to contain copyrighted material will be removed.
- Please do not put your name or logo on the actual image.
- If you would like to comment on the submissions, please be respectful and constructive.
*At Fenimore Art Museum, please confirm which galleries allow photography (you can refer to the Visitor Guide or ask at the Admissions desk).
HOW TO UPLOAD YOUR PHOTOS:
It’s easy to upload your photos. First, go to the upload page. You can find a link at the top of the contest’s navigation bar. Then, just add your name, email address, and the other info requested. To upload the photo, click on the “Browse” button and locate the image file on your device. Accept the contest rules and click “Submit Photo.” It’s that easy!
