Call Description

250 Years of New Jersey Call for Artists 

The 250 Years of New Jersey digital exhibition is part of a large-scale public art project at the airport’s Terminal A, focused on creating a transformative customer experience offering a distinctive New Jersey sense of place. The overall goal of the project is to highlight the broad spectrum of talent, opportunity, and cultures that make the Garden State so vibrant.  

The next installment of this annual exhibition, featuring artwork displayed in the digital welcome banner spanning the departures area of Terminal A will be unveiled in early 2026. Artists’ names and artwork information will be included with the display and on a supporting website.   

When applying, artists are encouraged to be considerate of the ridership and public nature of art in transit spaces. The PANYNJ Art Advisory Council will review the submissions received and will select approximately twenty (20) artists’ work to be included in the exhibition. In addition to the digital display of their work in Terminal A for approximately one year, the artists’ name and images of the project will be shared with the public through MANJ’s, PANYNJ’s and the State Arts Council's social media and other communication platforms.   

Artists should submit up to two (2) examples of completed 2-D work to be considered for use. Work samples submitted will be the basis for the Art Advisory Council’s consideration. PANYNJ and MANJ will work with the selected artists to approve final digital image submissions and schedule the exhibition of the works in digital gallery displays in the terminal. Each selected artist will receive a $1,000 stipend in exchange for use of their work. Artists will retain copyright to their work.     

For this project, we are seeking completed, 2-dimensional, still artworks in a digital format for digital display. Artists should submit images of previously completed artworks that meet the curatorial themes noted below. We are not seeking new designs, tourism-type posters or draft/idea sketches for this exhibition.  

Submitted works could be high-quality digital images of paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, etc. or work in a native digital format (digital photos, drawings, paintings, etc.). Moving images (films, animations, etc.) and performative work will not be considered for this call. Upon selection notification, artists will need to provide the digital artwork in a PNG or JPG file with a height of 1080 pixels to MANJ which will then be processed and added to the digital Welcome Banner in Terminal A. Artists must consider that the work will be displayed in a public location and display of the digital gallery will be rotated with other digital media on large digital display units in the terminal. Selected Artists must work in a timely fashion with the project coordination team to ensure the final work files provided are the correct file type, of high quality for digital use, and appropriate for public display.  

The Curatorial Theme for 250 Years of New Jersey is rooted in the Interpretive Framework of RevolutionNJ- New Jersey’s official commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, which is in 2026.  

This call is specifically seeking artworks that frame, highlight or address the ideals that drove the American Revolution and the implications of those ideals for today’s society.   

We are seeking works that explore the following key themes:   

“Revolutionary Ideals”: Liberty; pursuing happiness; equality; justice; self-determination 

There is no expressed preference for a particular style of work- artistic excellence and appeal to the airport’s passengers will be the determining criteria for selection. The submitted images will be the images considered for the exhibition.  

*Important note about artwork that cannot be considered:  

• Work will be displayed in highly public spaces, and as such, work that could be interpreted as promotion of political issues or candidates, or that is sexual or violent in nature will not be considered. 
• Works that include images or representations of violence will not be considered.  
• Works including logos or business signage of existing businesses, corporations, and the like cannot be considered. 
• Moving images (films, animations, etc.) and performative work will not be considered for this call.   
• We are not seeking new designs, tourism-type designs/posters or draft/idea sketches for this exhibition.  

-Submissions that do not meet the curatorial themes, eligibility requirements or guidelines listed above will not be reviewed by the selection committee.  

Eligibility  

This project is open to artists/artist teams who are at least 18 years of age, and legally able to complete a contract with PANYNJ and/or their contracted management for the terminal. Artists (individuals or all team members) must be current residents of the State of New Jersey. Priority consideration will be given to artists who reside in Newark and/or Elizabeth, as the Airport is located in those cities. Artist/Teams must be able to work effectively and collaboratively to provide requested digital image files of the type and size specified in a timely manner. Further, artists should consider the project timeline prior to submitting work for consideration. Projects are intended to be displayed beginning in early-2026.  

Artists who were selected for the Terminal A digital exhibition displayed in 2024 and/or 2025 are not eligible for consideration in this round of the project. If you were a selected artist in 2023, this exhibition’s inaugural year, you are eligible to apply. 

Media  

For this project, we are seeking completed, 2-dimensional, still artworks in a digital format for digital display. All static media, in digital format, that is appropriate to the project will be considered.   

Budget and Contracts  

MANJ will provide one $1,000 stipend to each selected artist/artist team to license their work for digital display for 13 months in Newark Liberty International Airport Terminal A. Approximately twenty (20) artists will be selected to be featured in the digital gallery. Artists will be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement prior to award announcements and will sign legal contracts with MANJ for the use of their work in EWR Terminal A.  

Selection Process  

The Art Selection Council includes members of the New Jersey local artistic community, academic and museum arts experts, tourism, history and regional government staff, and a representative from the State Arts Council. The committee will review all application materials and make final recommendations. The selection committee reserves the right to reject any or all entries at any time in the review and selection process.   

Selection Criteria 

The goals of this program are to connect Airport Passengers and staff with new, exciting art experiences during their transit through the Newark Airport, and to provide New Jersey Artists with exhibition opportunities and a public venue to share their work.   

All submissions will be evaluated using the following standards:  

• High artistic quality of the proposed submission and work samples provided   
• Potential for the submission to promote the goals of the program   
• Potential for positive experiences or interactions with the proposed submission by New Jersey communities (the intended audience of the work)   
• Feasibility of the submission as proposed or with minor changes  
• Alignment with the curatorial themes described in this call 
• Works ultimately selected will be consistent with the opinions, values and aesthetics of the Port Authority and MANJ.   

Timeline 

Call Posted: June 18, 2025 

Deadline for artist submissions: July 29, 2025 

Artist Notifications: No later than November 19, 2025   

Project installation is scheduled for early 2026 

Questions?   

Technical assistance using CAFÉ is available at:  https://www.callforentry.org/artist-help-cafe/  

Please direct any other questions regarding this opportunity to the New Jersey State Council on the Arts at PublicArtsInclusion@sos.nj.gov  

Contract 

Upon selection notification, the artist must sign a non-disclosure agreement to maintain confidentiality until official public announcement of the artists selected is made by PANY/NJ, the Arts Council and other project partners.   

Upon selection and final design approval, the artist must complete a contract with PANYNJ/Munich for stipend payment in the amount of $1,000 per artist or artist team. Selected artists will have 30 days from contract receipt to complete all contract requirements, including providing ACH payment information with banking details. All selected artists must have a bank account with ACH to receive stipend payment and will be asked to provide a bank letter with specific bank information. Failure to meet this deadline may result in cancellation of the offer to participate in the exhibition.  

Application Process  

All applications must be submitted through www.callforentry.org (CAFE), a free website for artists to use. Artists must register and set up an account in CAFE, and upload images of their work to their CAFE account in order to submit to this call. Submissions will not be accepted or reviewed through any other means.   

Application Materials to be Submitted:   

• A brief statement about the submitted work’s connection to the curatorial themes, and (if applicable) any specific connection you have to Newark and/or Elizabeth   
• An updated and brief artist bio  
• Up to two (2 total) digital images of existing, completed artwork(s)   
• A brief description of the work(s) submitted, including title, medium and size. 
• You also must confirm your New Jersey residency and complete an application questionnaire 

Application Requirements

All applications must be submitted through www.callforentry.org (CAFE), a free website for artists to use. Artists must register and set up an account in CAFE and upload images of their work to their CAFE account in order to submit to this call. Submissions will not be accepted or reviewed through any other means.    

Media  

For this project, we are seeking previously completed, 2-dimensional, still artworks in a digital format for digital display. All static media, in digital format, from eligible applicants that are appropriate to the project will be considered. Artists may submit a total of two (2) completed artworks for consideration.  

Application Materials to be Submitted:   

• A brief artist statement about how the work submitted responds to the curatorial themes and (if applicable) any specific connection you have to Newark and/or Elizabeth
• An updated and brief artist bio
• One to two (total) digital images of existing, completed artwork(s)
• A brief description of the work(s) submitted, including title, medium, and context of the artwork.
• You also must confirm your New Jersey residency and complete an application questionnaire

Eligibility Criteria

This project is open to artists/artist teams who are at least 18 years of age and legally able to complete a contract with PANYNJ and/or their contracted management for the terminal. Artists (individuals or all team members) must be current residents of the State of New Jersey. Submissions from artists’ estates are not eligible. Priority will be given to artists who reside in Newark and/or Elizabeth, as the Airport is located in those cities. Artist/Teams must be able to work effectively and collaboratively to provide requested digital image files of the type and size specified in a timely manner. Further, artists should consider the project timeline prior to submitting a proposal. The exhibition is intended to open in early 2026.  

*Artists previously included must wait two years before submitting for this exhibition again. Those who were selected for the digital exhibition displayed in 2024 or 2025 should be advised that they are not eligible to submit works for consideration for this call.    

Questions?   

Technical assistance using CAFÉ is available at:  https://www.callforentry.org/artist-help-cafe/  

Please direct any other questions regarding this opportunity to Artist Services at the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, PublicArtsInclusion@sos.nj.gov