The day Disneyland opened, forged tickets created an over-capacity crowd, temperatures soared over 100 degrees and a plumber’s strike resulted in non-functioning drinking fountains. It was dubbed Black Sunday, but now it’s the Happiest Place on Earth. It’s not well known that Walt Disney suffered a number of set-backs in establishing the Magic Kingdom, but it is known that he believed in determination and a brighter future, and the spirit lives on.

Professional artists and When You Wish Upon a Star amateur artists are invited to participate in The World of Tomorrow: A Virtual Community Art Exhibition where chosen works will be selected by a juried pool and displayed on the Walt Disney Family Museum website and social media platforms. As we shelter at home, we all share a dream for a brighter tomorrow, so put on your Imagine-ears, check out the guidelines and submit your creative vision.

Disney Studio Artist Publications model sheet 1959 Collection of Andreas Deja c Disney

The World of Tomorrow
draws inspiration from Walt’s ambition to keep moving forward and design a brighter future. Professional and amateur artists are invited to submit a scanned or photographed image of their new or previously-created painting, drawing, photograph, or 3D object—inspired by their vision for the world of tomorrow.

Screen Shot 2020 05 01 at 11.45.30 AM

All submitted artwork will be entered in a juried pool for virtual display in the Diane Disney Miller Exhibition Hall, which has previously hosted world-class exhibitions including Disney and Dalí: Architects of the Imagination; MAGIC, COLOR, FLAIR: The World of Mary Blair; Water to Paper, Paint to Sky: The Art of Tyrus Wong; and Mickey Mouse: From Walt to the World. The final selection of work showcased in The World of Tomorrow will be on view to the public via the museum’s website and social media platforms.

Submissions can be made through the museum’s website at waltdisney.org. The deadline to submit artwork is Monday, May 4 at 5pm PT.