Juried Art Exhibition Call for Artists

Jurying will be from digital assets only, with submissions only accepted via CaFE (How to Apply Help)

The Museum reserves the right to decline submissions which are incomplete, do not meet specifications detailed in this call, or are of poor image quality. When possible, the Museum will work with artists to ensure their submissions are complete and will be juried.

Each entry will be judged as a work’s entirety; works which are 3D, diptych, tryptic or a series should be presented as the ‘whole’ within one submission image and identified as such in the title. If a multi-piece work is submitted separately only the artwork in the submitted photo will be eligible for display.

Dimensions should represent the full and complete dimensions of the work, including frame.

Media files used for the application must comply with CaFE specifications:


• Image: JPEG or JPG. 1200 pixels or greater on the longest side. The file size may not exceed 5MB.

• Video: MOV, MP4, WMV, 3GP, AVI, ASF, MPG, M2T, MKV, M2TS. File size under 100MB with a min resolution of 640 x 480/max 1920 x 1080; min 12 fps/recommended 30 fps or YouTube or Vimeo URL. Linked videos must be public.

Additional information will be shared with accepted artists. The following is a general overview of participation expectations.

Installation for General Category artists: All accepted work must be framed or otherwise in a finished state and must be ready for installation including hanging hardware as appropriate:

• 2D work must be in a dry and finished state. It is strongly recommended that all 2D works have adequate framing and/or glazing (plexi or glass) for upmost protection. It is required for work on paper.
• Textiles must include pockets, rods and/or hardware for installation if not standard.
• 3D work must be stable and able to ‘stand’ on their own. Casework, plinths, stanchions, etc., are provided at the Museum’s discretion.
• Works that adhere directly to gallery walls (i.e. the use of pins, nails, Velcro, magnets or tape) are not preferred. However, the Museum will work with artists to find an acceptable compromise. The Museum cannot be responsible for damage to work which uses this installation method.
• Generic AV equipment is provided by the Museum for videos, but specific types/sizes are not guaranteed.

To and from the Museum (General Category artists): Artists in the area (within 100 miles of the Museum) are expected to deliver work in person, all others may do so if they prefer.

• In person: Artists are responsible for delivery and pickup of their work on the dates specified in the schedule below. Work delivered in person is not eligible for return shipping. 
• Shipping: Artists are responsible for all costs of inbound shipping. Work may not be shipped without prior approval from the Museum, and must be packed in sturdy, reusable container(s). See the Rules & Terms tab on CaFE call for additional shipping conditions. The Museum will not offer return shipping for works within Chicagoland.

1. Up to four (4) works, completed in 2024-2026, per artist. 

2. Work must be submitted anonymously by the artist.
     a. Remove watermarks, video credits, etc. from images, remove your name from descriptions and statements.
     b. Collaborations may not include more than two artists.
     c. Artists must submit for themselves with technical/additional support as needed. 

3. Work must be the artist’s original creation (no AI generated work), unsold and not have been selected for any previous Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibitions.

4. Object specs:
     a. 2D works may not exceed 60” in any direction.
     b. 3D, oversized/heavy and/or installation works will be reviewed per work. Pieces should generally not exceed 84” in any direction. Each work, including total size, will be assessed based on the Museum’s gallery, safety and physical installation capabilities. The Museum is not able to install works which hang from the ceiling.
     c. Work may not exceed 70 lbs.
     d. Monitors are provided for video work. The Museum is not able to install projected works. Videos must be ADA compliant (additional details, upon request).

The Museum does not solicit sales of work. However, artists are welcome to sell works on display if they choose. All inquiries received by the Museum will be forwarded directly to the artist. No commission will be taken. Submitted work may not have already been sold to a third party. If an accepted work is sold prior to the exhibition opening or during the exhibition, the artists must notify the Museum.

Values are used for insurance purposes and works for sale have this value included in the exhibition’s program guide provided to visitors. All values should reflect fair/current market value rather than intrinsic or personal value.  

By accepting, I acknowledge that I have read and understood the terms and conditions of entry to the 2027 Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition, including the Publicity permissions given to the Museum and the limitation of the Museum’s liability and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of entry. 

• The Museum reserves the right to accept or decline any submission.
• The Museum reserves the right to disqualify accepted work that, upon receipt, differ markedly from submitted images or are not ready for professional installation and presentation, delivered in inadequate packaging or received in damaged condition. Artists must take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of their work.
• Accepted artists are expected to meet and follow the exhibition schedule and instructions provided, the Museum reserves the right to deny current and future eligibility if/when artists repeatedly are unable to do so. If requested, accommodation will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to consider the Museum’s capabilities to meet such need(s). 
• Works must remain in the 2027 Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition for the duration of the exhibition (including if sold during the exhibition). The Museum will not be responsible for minor wear and tear resulting from normal handling. Security is assigned to the exhibition during public hours and ‘Do not touch’ signs are incorporated into signage throughout the exhibition; however, the Museum cannot guarantee gallery conditions or stop all interactions by guests.
• Accepted artists will be required to sign a Loan Agreement agreeing to these and other terms.
• Publicity: By submitting a work for inclusion in the 2027 Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition, the artist agrees that the Museum is permitted to use, edit, reproduce, publish, transmit and display images or footage of the artist’s work(s), including those submitted by the artist as part of their entry, in films, video, signage, mailing, programs, online image gallery and other forms of media including social media for the promotion and display of the 2027 Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition and other purposes as the Museum may determine, including promotion and fundraising for the Museum. The Museum will not be responsible for the unauthorized use of the images or footage by third parties.
• Shipping: Accepted artists outside of Chicagoland may ship their works to the Museum with prior approval from the Museum. Such artists are responsible for all associated incoming shipping costs (packing, transit, insurance). The Museum will ship works back to such artists at the Museum’s cost, including shipping insurance for up to $10,000, using shipping carriers selected by the Museum. For works valued above $10,000, the artists may obtain separate, supplemental shipping insurance for the full value of the art at their own cost and coordination, or if not obtaining such, may be asked to sign a release. The Museum will not be responsible for any amounts exceeding the amount paid by the insurer.

Jurying will be from digital assets only, with submissions only accepted via CaFE (How to Apply Help)

The Museum reserves the right to decline submissions which are incomplete, do not meet specifications detailed in this call, or are of poor image quality. When possible, the Museum will work with artists to ensure their submissions are complete and will be juried.

Each entry will be judged as a work’s entirety; works which are 3D, diptych, tryptic or a series should be presented as the ‘whole’ within one submission image and identified as such in the title. If a multi-piece work is submitted separately only the artwork in the submitted photo will be eligible for display.

Dimensions should represent the full and complete dimensions of the work, including frame.

Media files used for the application must comply with CaFE specifications:


• Image: JPEG or JPG. 1200 pixels or greater on the longest side. The file size may not exceed 5MB.

• Video: MOV, MP4, WMV, 3GP, AVI, ASF, MPG, M2T, MKV, M2TS. File size under 100MB with a min resolution of 640 x 480/max 1920 x 1080; min 12 fps/recommended 30 fps or YouTube or Vimeo URL. Linked videos must be public.

Additional information will be shared with accepted artists. The following is a general overview of participation expectations.

Installation for Teen Category artists: All accepted work must be framed or otherwise in a finished state and must be ready for installation including hanging hardware as appropriate:

• 2D work must be in a dry and finished state. It is strongly recommended that all 2D works have adequate framing and/or glazing (plexi or glass) for upmost protection. It is required for work on paper.
• Textiles must include pockets, rods and/or hardware for installation if not standard.
• 3D work must be stable and able to ‘stand’ on their own. Casework, plinths, stanchions, etc., are provided at the Museum’s discretion.
• Works that adhere directly to gallery walls (i.e. the use of pins, nails, Velcro, magnets or tape) are not preferred. However, the Museum will work with artists to find an acceptable compromise. The Museum cannot be responsible for damage to work which uses this installation method.
• Generic AV equipment is provided by the Museum for videos, but specific types/sizes are not guaranteed.

To and from the Museum (Teen Category artists): Artists are responsible for delivery and pickup of their work on the dates specified during acceptance. No shipping is provided by the Museum.  
 

1. Up to four (4) works, completed within the last school year (2025/26) up to the close of this call in fall 2026.

2. Work must be submitted anonymously by the artist.
     a. Remove watermarks, video credits, etc. from images, remove your name from descriptions and statements.
     b. Collaborations may not include more than two artists.
     c. Artists must submit for themselves. Artist may receive assistance from teachers/caregivers for technical/additional support as needed.

3. Work must be the artist’s original creation (no AI generated work), unsold and not have been selected for any previous Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibitions.

4. Object specs:
     a. 2D works may not exceed 60” in any direction.
     b. 3D works may not exceed 30” in any direction. Installations will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The Museum is not able to install works which hang from the ceiling.
     c. Work may not exceed 50 lbs.
     d. Monitors are provided for video work. The Museum is not able to install projected works. Videos must be ADA compliant (additional details, upon request).

The Museum does not solicit sales of work. However, artists are welcome to sell works on display if they choose. All inquiries received by the Museum will be forwarded directly to the artist. No commission will be taken. Submitted work may not have already been sold to a third party. If an accepted work is sold prior to the exhibition opening or during the exhibition, the artists must notify the Museum.

Values are used for insurance purposes and works for sale have this value included in the exhibition’s program guide provided to visitors. All values should reflect fair/current market value rather than intrinsic or personal value.  

By accepting, I acknowledge that I have read and understood the terms and conditions of entry to the 2027 Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition, including the Publicity permissions given to the Museum and the limitation of the Museum’s liability and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of entry. For Teen Category, by accepting Parent/Guardian agrees to give consent for their child to participate in the 2027 Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition.

• The Museum reserves the right to disqualify accepted work that, upon receipt, differ markedly from submitted images or are not ready for professional installation and presentation, delivered in inadequate packaging or received in damaged condition. Artists must take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of their work.
• Accepted artists are expected to meet and follow the exhibition schedule and instructions provided, the Museum reserves the right to deny current and future eligibility if/when artists repeatedly are unable to do so. If requested, accommodation will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to consider the Museum’s capabilities to meet such need(s). 
• Works must remain in the 2027 Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition for the duration of the exhibition. The Museum will not be responsible for minor wear and tear resulting from normal handling. Security is assigned to the exhibition during public hours and “Do not touch” signs are incorporated into signage throughout the exhibition; however, the Museum cannot guarantee gallery conditions or stop all interactions by guests. 
• Accepted artists will be required to sign a Loan Agreement agreeing to these and other terms.
• Publicity: By submitting a work for inclusion in the 2027 Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition, the artist agrees that the Museum is permitted to use, edit, reproduce, publish, transmit and display images or footage of the artist’s work(s), including those submitted by the artist as part of their entry, in films, video, signage, mailing, programs, online image gallery and other forms of media including social media for the promotion and display of the 2027 Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition and other purposes as the Museum may determine, including promotion and fundraising for the Museum. The Museum will not be responsible for the unauthorized use of the images or footage by third parties.