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 2022 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 Maya Brooks. Maya Brooks is currently the Mellon Foundation Assistant Curator at the North Carolina Museum of Art, a position that forges her passion for technology with art history through exhibition curation.

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 11th.

2022 Bank of the Arts National Juried Exhibition Important Dates:

•             March 1: Bank of the Arts National Juried Exhibition Call for Entries opens on CAFÉ

•             May 21: Call closes at 11:59pm

•             May 28: Artists notified of acceptance or rejection by 5:00pm

•             June 1-June 25: Drop off or delivery of work to Bank of the Arts

•             June 18: Ekphrastic Poetry competition opens online with images from the exhibition

•             July 8, 5pm-8pm : July Artwalk Opening Reception, visual art winners announced

•             July 31: Ekphrastic Poetry competition closes

•             August 12, 5pm-8pm: September Artwalk reception, poetry winners and readings

•             August 30-September 6: Pick up or mailing of work

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:
$30 for current Craven Arts Council & Gallery members and $35 for nonmembers. Entry Fee includes submission of 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 $35. 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 21st, 2022.

Juror

Maya Brooks is currently the Mellon Foundation Assistant Curator at the North Carolina Museum of Art, a position that forges her passion for technology with art history through exhibition curation. Brooks's professional mission is to provide equitable museum experiences for diverse populations. Overall, she strives to restore access, inclusion, and agency in the museum field for marginalized communities.

Notification: Notification of results will be made on Saturday, May 28th, 2022, through CaFE™; or you may call the Craven Arts Council & Gallery that day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 252-638-2577.

Application Requirements

*Images of work to be submitted. 

*$35 application fee

*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.