Call Detail
Entry Deadline: 6/3/16
Application Closed
Application Closed
Work Sample Requirements
Images:4
Call Type: Competitions
Eligibility: National
State: District of Columbia
Eligibility: National
State: District of Columbia
Call for Art! The Kennedy Center’s office of VSA & Accessibility, with generous support from Volkswagen Group of America, announce this year’s Emerging Young Artist program theme: (Re)Invention: Art + Innovation + Disability + Design. We invite you to apply to be one of 15 finalists who will share a total of $60,000 in cash prizes and participate in exciting career advancement opportunities!
(Re) Invention: Art + Innovation + Disability + Design is a juried exhibition of emerging artists with disabilities, ages 16-25, that aims to showcase artwork created at the intersection of technology, innovation, and disability. We’re asking: “How have technology and innovation shaped your life in terms of your art and your disability? How has our global move toward technology inspired a re-discovery of traditional or analog arts, or a new take on existing artistic practices?” Through your art, we want to see how you interpret these thematic ideas.
“Who can apply?”
The call is open to artists ages 16–25 living in the United States who have a disability. As defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, a disability is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. Disability may be physical, developmental, mental, or learning. Previous award recipients are not eligible to apply.
“What could I win?”
Need some money to help launch your career? The grand prize winner (first place) is awarded $20,000! Second and third place winners receive $10,000 and $6,000 respectively, and the remaining 12 artists receive $2,000 each in awards of excellence.
“How long do I have?”
The deadline for this call for art is June 1, 2016, at midnight. Also by this time, all supplemental materials should have arrived at the Kennedy Center.
“What can I submit?”
Artwork in any medium is accepted! All artwork must have a visual component, 2-D pieces should not exceed 60 inches in either direction, and 3-D pieces must be no more than 36 inches in any direction. Submissions must be original work completed within the last three years and after the onset of disability.
Please note: Fragile or precious materials that cannot withstand handling, storage, and transportation will not be accepted. Competition winners must send all artwork selected for exhibition in an exhibition-ready state. This means 2-D works must be framed and 3-D works arrive with all mounts and/or supports needed for display.
“What are the judges looking for?”
Our distinguished panel of judges, who include practicing artists, curators, and arts administrators, will select 15 winning works of art. As they review the submitted materials during the selection process, they’ll look for:
• Demonstration of original ideas in the work submitted
• Connection to exhibition theme
• Visual cohesion among the images submitted
Supplemental Materials
Film and video artists must complete an application in CaFE, then should supplement their application by mailing a CD or DVD of their full-length work. On the CaFE application, please allocate at least one of the four JPEG image slots to a still from your video or film.
Any CDs or DVDs received must be ready to play using Windows Media Player, Real Player, or QuickTime. U.S.-compatible formats are encouraged; no VHS tapes or mini-DVDs will be accepted.
The jury will review two minutes of a video or audio file along with the four submitted images. Artists should note a specific two-minute segment to be reviewed, indicating the segment times in their submission. The jury may opt to view the entire video based on this segment.
“What about the Exhibition?”
How about some exposure to get your name out there? The 15 selected artists will exhibit their winning pieces at the Smithsonian’s S. Dillon Ripley Center, the Kennedy Center, and five additional venues across the US between September 2016 and December 2017.
“Is there more?”
Yes, we also want to give you the tools to take on a successful career! Competition winners are asked to take part in an opening reception on Capitol Hill, followed by a three-day intensive professional development program in Washington, D.C. (All travel expenses are covered).
You may be invited to participate in our Artists as Ambassadors program, in which case you would be matched with one of the exhibit’s national tour venues. We’ll send you there to speak about your experience in the program, your artistic process, and what being an artist with a disability means to you.
(Re) Invention: Art + Innovation + Disability + Design is a juried exhibition of emerging artists with disabilities, ages 16-25, that aims to showcase artwork created at the intersection of technology, innovation, and disability. We’re asking: “How have technology and innovation shaped your life in terms of your art and your disability? How has our global move toward technology inspired a re-discovery of traditional or analog arts, or a new take on existing artistic practices?” Through your art, we want to see how you interpret these thematic ideas.
“Who can apply?”
The call is open to artists ages 16–25 living in the United States who have a disability. As defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, a disability is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. Disability may be physical, developmental, mental, or learning. Previous award recipients are not eligible to apply.
“What could I win?”
Need some money to help launch your career? The grand prize winner (first place) is awarded $20,000! Second and third place winners receive $10,000 and $6,000 respectively, and the remaining 12 artists receive $2,000 each in awards of excellence.
“How long do I have?”
The deadline for this call for art is June 1, 2016, at midnight. Also by this time, all supplemental materials should have arrived at the Kennedy Center.
“What can I submit?”
Artwork in any medium is accepted! All artwork must have a visual component, 2-D pieces should not exceed 60 inches in either direction, and 3-D pieces must be no more than 36 inches in any direction. Submissions must be original work completed within the last three years and after the onset of disability.
Please note: Fragile or precious materials that cannot withstand handling, storage, and transportation will not be accepted. Competition winners must send all artwork selected for exhibition in an exhibition-ready state. This means 2-D works must be framed and 3-D works arrive with all mounts and/or supports needed for display.
“What are the judges looking for?”
Our distinguished panel of judges, who include practicing artists, curators, and arts administrators, will select 15 winning works of art. As they review the submitted materials during the selection process, they’ll look for:
• Demonstration of original ideas in the work submitted
• Connection to exhibition theme
• Visual cohesion among the images submitted
Supplemental Materials
Film and video artists must complete an application in CaFE, then should supplement their application by mailing a CD or DVD of their full-length work. On the CaFE application, please allocate at least one of the four JPEG image slots to a still from your video or film.
Any CDs or DVDs received must be ready to play using Windows Media Player, Real Player, or QuickTime. U.S.-compatible formats are encouraged; no VHS tapes or mini-DVDs will be accepted.
The jury will review two minutes of a video or audio file along with the four submitted images. Artists should note a specific two-minute segment to be reviewed, indicating the segment times in their submission. The jury may opt to view the entire video based on this segment.
“What about the Exhibition?”
How about some exposure to get your name out there? The 15 selected artists will exhibit their winning pieces at the Smithsonian’s S. Dillon Ripley Center, the Kennedy Center, and five additional venues across the US between September 2016 and December 2017.
“Is there more?”
Yes, we also want to give you the tools to take on a successful career! Competition winners are asked to take part in an opening reception on Capitol Hill, followed by a three-day intensive professional development program in Washington, D.C. (All travel expenses are covered).
You may be invited to participate in our Artists as Ambassadors program, in which case you would be matched with one of the exhibit’s national tour venues. We’ll send you there to speak about your experience in the program, your artistic process, and what being an artist with a disability means to you.