ISEA

The International Society of Experimental Artists (ISEA), a global organization with approximately 500 members, was founded in 1991 to offer artists a society that celebrates the creation of art through innovation and experimentation. 

ISEA's Mission is to enthusiastically embrace creative thinking, imagination and experimentation.  ISEA's mission is to promote public interest in experimental art, and encourage and support artists' creative journeys through exhibition education and communications.

Cultural Art Center of Cape Cod

The Cultural Center opened in 2007 after a group of concerned citizens set out to raise funds for the Bass River Savings Bank, an Architectural treasure that had long been vacant.  This is the main building at the Center.  Subsequently, the education wing was built, which opened in 2016.  Programming at the Center includes art exhibitions in five galleries, resident artist studios, a performance hall, a culinary arts center, recording studio, pottery studio, makerspace and art classrooms.  As the main building was originally occupied by a bank, it has a room that used to be a vault.  This is an ideal space for sculpture and installation.  Use this link for more information about the Cultural Center of Cape Cod.

Our Partners and Sponsors

The INNOVATIONS 2023 exhibition is made possible through vital and highly valued partnerships with the following organizations, to whom ISEA is very thankful:   Cultural Center of Cape Cod

ISEA would also like to thank the following generous donors and sponsors for their contributions towards the INNOVATIONS 2023 exhibition and the Captivating Innovation on The Cape, symposium.  

Pennsylvania Watercolor Society     Frames Unlimited                              Logan Graphic Products, Inc.           Airfloat Systems                              Creative Catalyst Productions.         Baltimore Watercolor Society                 Cheap Joes Art Stuff .                       Blick Art Materials.                                 ISAP                                                  M. Graham and CO.                                Jon's Medicine Shoppe                     Golden Artists Colors, Inc.                  Holbein Artist Materials                        

Please support our generous sponsors!

Here are the key dates:                              

Intake:  April 1 through April 30,2023     

Jurying:  May 5 through May 10, 2023   

"Invitations to Participate"sent: May 15

"Accept Invitation": May 25 in your Profile on the Café website     

Shipping work to venue:  Sept 1-8,2023 

Digital artworks created in real-time by computerized or electronic components must arrive at the gallery between September 1 and 8, 2023.                   

Hand deliveries accepted at venue:  September 10th, 8am to noon.                   

Exhibition awards determined: Sept 11  

Public receptions:  September 18, 2023 

Awards presented:September 22, 2020 at the symposium                                 Exhibition duration: September 12 through October 7, 2023

Acceptable Artworks, Media and Sizes

ISEA invites all artists and collaborative groups of artists, 18 years of age and older, to submit ONE work of art created in the past three years to this call.

Original experimental artworks, created in the last 3 years, that have not been accepted into any previous ISEA exhibitions may be submitted.

All media are acceptable. Original printmaking, photography, film and digital works may be submitted. Commercial reproductions of original works are not acceptable.

Works completed in a workshop are not eligible for entry in any ISEA exhibition.

Only ONE solo submission is permitted per artist. Only one collaborative submission is permitted per distinct group of artists. Each artist may be included in a total of two submissions: one solo submission and one collaborative submission.

The purchase price of your work must be in US dollars (USD). The price included in the submission may not be altered after the submission is completed.                     

Art Sales:  All accepted work is eligible for sale through the venue.  The Cultural Center of Cape Cod commission is 15% of the artwork.  There will also be a $20.00 handling fee for all accepted pieces.

For safety reasons, submitted artwork must not include the following:

• No sharp elements protruding from the artwork or framing, including but not limited to glass, sheet metal edges, frayed wire ends.
• No perishable organic or inorganic media with the potential to cause disease or foul smells, or to leak or dislodge from the artwork.

Application Requirements

Submission Image Requirements

Submitted images must be as representative of the actual artwork as possible.

Within the submission process, a written statement about the experimental aspects of the work is required. These statements are used to further ISEA aims of educating the public about the nature of experimental art, and enhancing how experimental artists are valued in their communities.

2D Artworks

All media accepted. Finished/framed maximum size is 36" wide x 40" high; weight limit is 35 lbs.                               

Diptych and other multiple-work 2D submissions must be submitted as a single image.  Submit one image only. Note: If more than one image is submitted, only the first image will be considered.

The file size for the image must be no larger than 5 MB.  For best presentation, photographs of artwork at 300DPI as a high quality Jpg image is recommended.  It must be at least 1200pixels or larger on the longes side.

 A primarily 2D work with significant relief elements may be submitted as a 3D work.

3D Submissions

All media accepted. Maximum crated weight (for shipped works) is 75 lbs. Maximum weight of the artwork itself is 50 lbs.

Crates/boxes for 3D entries must be no larger than 62” inches in any one direction and must fit through a standard door- frame.
For plinth-installed artworks, the maximum width and depth are 16” and the maximum height is 24”.
For floor-installed artworks, the maximum width and depth are 24” and the maximum height is 60” weight not to exceed 75 lbs..
For ceiling-installed artworks, the maximum width and depth are 24” and the maximum height is 90”.

The file size for the image must be no larger than 5 MB.  For best presentation, photographs of artwork at 300DPI as a high-quality JPG image is recommended. It must be at least 1200 pixels or larger on the longest side

A primarily 2D work with significant relief elements may be submitted as a 3D work.  Submit two images, view A and view B: Two views of the artwork from different angles.

Size includes, specifying height x width x depth.
The image only, do not include matte or frame
Prices are either in US dollars (USD) or “NFS” (not for sale). If not-for-sale artwork is submitted, enter 0.00 in the price when uploading the artwork to your CaFÉ profile.

Digital Artworks

All digital art should be supplied ready to execute, including all hardware and software [A screen can be provided with prior agreement only] The venue will work with individual artists.

Any hardware requirements for the artwork beyond a television display must be provided by the artist(s) for installation (e.g. computers required to execute code, audio headsets, cables, interfaces, printers...)
Hardware components that will come into direct contact with viewers (i.e. virtual reality headsets) may not be suitable, depending on health and safety guidelines at the time of the exhibition. For example, the venue may be able to consider earphones/headsets that are vinyl or plastic, but foam may not allow for suitable cleaning between viewers.

Digital artworks that are created in real-time by computerized or electronic components must meet the requirements of film/video submissions. The content of the video submission must be truly representative of imagery that will be produced and viewed if the artwork is invited to exhibit.

The file size for the image must be no larger than 5 MB.  It must be at least 1200 pixels or larger on the longest side

Size is in pixels, specifying height x width.
The image only, do not include matte or frame.

Prices are either in US dollars (USD) or “NFS” (not for sale). If not-for-sale artwork is submitted, enter 0.00 in the price when uploading the artwork to your CaFÉ profile.

Film/Video Artwork

Submissions are open to all genres - including but not exclusively documentary, drama, comedy, horror, art house and animation.

All digital art should be supplied ready to execute, including all hardware and software [A screen can be provided with prior agreement only] The venue will work with individual artists.

Video works may not be longer than 10 minutes.
Entries are open to all languages. If an understanding of the language is important to interpretation of the work, a mechanism must be provided to translate the language to the local language at the exhibition venue.

Hardware components that will come into direct contact with viewers (i.e. virtual reality headsets) may not be suitable, depending on health and safety guidelines at the time of the exhibition. For example, the venue may be able to consider earphones/headsets that are vinyl or plastic, but foam may not allow for suitable cleaning between viewers

Film and video submissions must be provided digitally in one of the following supported formats: MP4 and AVI. Must be a minimum resolution of 640 pixels wide by 480 pixels high, and a minimum of 12 frames per second. The file size must be less than 100MB.

Media submissions only. Linked media cannot be accepted (ex: YouTube, Vimeo based submissions). Embedding audio or video links in code is not supported by our submission system.

Special requirements for ISEA exhibitions

Within the submission process, a written statement about the experimental aspects of the work is required. These statements are used to further ISEA aims of educating the public about the nature of experimental art, and enhancing how experimental artists are valued in their communities  (in 1000 characters or less).

ISEA asks our jurors to review this information and it is posted along with all accepted images on our social media and our exhibition site.

Checking Out with your Member Discount Coupon 

• As a member you will receive a $25 USD discount off the $55 USD entry fee when you checkout. A code has been sent to all 2023 paid ISEA members via email.

 An ISEA annual membership is only $45 (USD):

Clink here for: ISEA Membership page 

Image Formatting Help

• For image sizing, photographing, entry and uploading check out our   
  •  Click here for:  Helpful Hints for Entry 
• Questions, please contact:  Steven Purtee, Intake Co-Chair:  iseaentry@iseaartexhibit.org or by phone:  1-914-734-2930.                                           or June Galaz, Intake Co-Chair:  iseaentry@iseaartexhibit.org or by phone:  1-713-882-6987

Eligibility Criteria

Only one solo submission is permitted per artist. Only one collaborative submission is permitted per distinct group of artists. Each artist may be included in a total of two submissions: one solo submission and one collaborative submission. 

All media are acceptable except dangerous materials.

Commercial reproductions of original artwork are not acceptable.

Artwork may not have been accepted in any prior ISEA exhibit.

Works completed in a workshop are not eligible for entry in any ISEA exhibition.

Size restrictions for 2D and 3D pieces change each year, set by the venue.  Please review the prospectus carefully for this information.

JURORS

NANCY BARCH, SELECTION JUROR

For more information about Nancy Barch

LIA ROTHSTEIN, SELECTION JUROR

For more information about Lia Rothstein

CHARLES STIGLIANO, AWARDS JUROR

For more information about Charles Stigliano