Bank of the Arts is a historic, turn of the century former bank building housing the Craven Arts Council & Gallery. The building features impressive original plaster work pillars and decoration illuminated by a large skylight and modern lighting fixtures. The Craven Arts Council hosts rotating exhibitions of local, regional, and national art in their three gallery spaces.  The historic city of New Bern, the first colonial capital of North Carolina, has become a prime destination for retirees, families and tourists alike.  New Bern's rich history and beautiful geographic setting have combined to create a cultural environment that has attracted an active art community supported by an enthusiastic group of collectors and donors.

The 2024 Bank of the Arts National Juried Exhibition offers $5,000 in awards, including the $1,500 CAC&G Permanent Collection Purchase Award. The show’s juror will be Jeff Bell, Executive Director of the North Carolina Arts Council.  

This year’s exhibition will also continue the “Ekphrastic Poetry Competition” that has been so well received in previous years.  Poets will create original compositions inspired by the artwork in the exhibition, with awards and readings during the August ArtWalk Reception on August 9th.

2024 Bank of the Arts National Juried Exhibition Important Dates:

March 1: Call Opens

11:59pm, May 15: Call Closes

5:00pm,  May 25: Artist Notifications Sent

5:00pm, June 22: Artwork Drop Off Deadline

5pm-8pm, July 12: ArtWalk Opening reception

6:00pm: Awards Announced

5:00pm-8:00 PM, August 9: ArtWalk Poetry Reception

August 27-31: Artwork Pick Up 

Categories

• 2D (paintings, mixed media)
• Photography
• Contemporary Crafts (pottery, jewelry, textiles, wood, glass and metal art)
• Indoor Sculpture
• Outdoor Sculpture
   

Awards

• $1,500 CAC&G  Permanent Collection Purchase Award  (indoor)
• Four $250 Best-in-Category Awards (indoor)
• Five $100 Merit Awards (indoor)
• Two $1,000 Honoraria (outdoor)

Entry Fee:
$35 for current Craven Arts Council & Gallery members and $40 for nonmembers. Entry Fee includes submission of up to three works.

Entry and Fee: A maximum total of three works (indoor, outdoor, or combination) may be submitted to the Craven Arts Council & Gallery through CAFÉ for $40. Current members of Craven Arts Council may request a coupon code for $5 off the application price. Current members must contact CAC&G by April 30th to verify their membership and receive the coupon code. All fees are due upon application. Mail checks to Craven Arts Council & Gallery, P.O. Box 596, New Bern, NC 28563 and make payable to the Craven Arts Council & Gallery; or pay by credit card through the CAFÉ Web page. Entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, May 15th, 2024.

Juror

Jeff Bell is the Executive Director of the North Carolina Arts Council. Previously, he was the Arts Innovation Coordinator for the City of Wilson, which included being the Executive Director of the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park. He attended UNC Wilmington and received two bachelor of arts degrees, one in Art History and one in Studio Art and received his MFA from UNC Greensboro.  Previously, Bell was the Registrar at Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, The Exhibitions and Gallery Manager at Contemporary Art Museum Raleigh and the Museum Manager at 21c Museum Hotel in Durham.  He has curated exhibitions at CAM Raleigh, 21c Museum Hotel and at the Ackland Art Museum at UNC Chapel Hill.  His artwork has been exhibited in galleries and museums across the state and the region.  Bell lives in Wilson, NC with his wife Amanda Duncan, and their four boys.

Notification: Notification of results will be made on Saturday, May 25th, 2024, through CaFE™; or you may call the Craven Arts Council & Gallery after that day to check the status of your entry.

Application Requirements

*Images of work to be submitted. 

*$40 application fee ($35 for members)

*Please see "Eligibility" and "Rules and Terms" below for full terms and conditions. 

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility: All artists 18 years or older may submit works for this show. Only original works of art not previously shown at the Craven Arts Council & Gallery and created within the last three years are eligible. These works must fit into one of five categories: 2D, Contemporary Craft (pottery, textiles, jewelry, metal art and wood), Photography, Gallery Sculpture, and Outdoor Sculpture. All work to be hung must be professionally framed and/or securely wired. If subject to damage, the piece must be framed under Plexiglas or glass. No clip mounting or saw-tooth hangers will be accepted. Three-dimensional work must sit solidly on a flat surface or be properly mounted for hanging. If works are not adequately prepared for display, they will be withdrawn from jurying. Hanging pieces must not exceed 8 feet (96 inches) in any direction. While there are no size restrictions on non-hanging items, it should be kept in mind that entries must be transportable and able to be displayed in a conventional-sized gallery. Gallery sculpture must not exceed 100 lbs. All outdoor work must be able to withstand outdoor conditions in a coastal region for one year and pose no threat to public safety. When necessary, works will be secured to concrete pads. Artists of selected pieces must provide installation instructions and equipment if needed.