Artist Opportunities

In 2023, capping off three years of exhibitions that pursued dialogues on the meaning and practice of liberty today, the National Liberty Museum (NLM) is looking to the future. By inviting artists, community leaders, and a growing panel of thought leaders and advisors to share their diverse perspectives, the NLM will develop four exhibitions that explore our collective futures, both real and imagined. To kick-off the 2023 season, the NLM announces this call-to-artist for our winter exhibition Imagined Futures [working title], scheduled to open Friday, January 20, 2023 and run through May 2023.

Imagined Futures will showcase a small, diverse group of artists whose work looks toward the future, with an eye to the hopeful, fantastical, and dreamlike. Selected artists should present visions and imaginations of our collective futures where anything is possible, while examining historic and contemporary movements in achieving liberty for all. These works should strive to disengage from real-world conventions and restraints and hold a mirror to societal issues, presenting idealistic stories which call us to civic action and inspire real change.

Artists and collaborative groups who are interested in applying should be working within the themes of sci-fi, fantasy, and magical realism, looking toward socially conscious movements such as Afro-futurism and eco-futurism, and asking the question “What if?” in regard to speculative fiction and alternate histories. Artwork of all mediums will be accepted, and multi-media and installation artists are encouraged to apply. We are looking for a cohesive body of work from individual artists or collaborative groups, whose artwork and artistic practice follows the goals of the exhibition and the mission of the NLM, creating a conversation with diverse voices, and interactive and reflective experiences. Participating artists will be selected through this open call-to-artist and an in-house committee at the NLM.

HOW TO APPLY

• Follow this link to the application form, which includes artwork submission details. APPLY HERE.
• Your cohesive body of work can include as many pieces as you would like for consideration. New works are welcome.
• The NLM will curate the final selection of artwork, working with artists to plan and execute installations.
• Submit an artist bio and artist statement (500 words max. each). The statement should explain why you are a good fit for this exhibition and discuss your artwork and artistic practice, explaining how they support the exhibition goals, themes, and NLM mission.
• Only complete applications will be reviewed for selection. Make sure to fill out all required fields and properly save and submit all files in the application form.

IMPORTANT DATES

• The complete application needs to be submitted by Sunday, October 16th, 2022, at 11:59pm EST. Early applications are strongly encouraged.
• We will notify all artists of our decision no later than Friday, November 4, 2022.
• If you are selected to be part of Imagined Futures, your artwork must be received at the NLM on or before Friday, December 16, 2022, ready to install. Artwork delivery instructions will be outlined in your notification emails.

APPLICATION NOTES

• If you need more time than the application deadline allows to create a new work, submitting either planning sketches, digital or drawn, or images of the work(s) in progress will be acceptable.
• In conjunction with Imagined Futures, NLM will develop a series of programs and events, including artist lectures, workshops, and guided tours. In the application, we ask that you indicate your level of interest in leading or participating in these programs. Your response will NOT have an impact on your selection.
• If you are selected, the NLM will work with you to write and develop exhibition content related to your work.

For any questions, please email Kelley Stone, Exhibitions Coordinator, at kstone@libertymuseum.org.

HOW TO APPLY

• Only complete applications will be reviewed for selection. Make sure to fill out all required fields and properly save and submit all files in the application form. APPLY HERE
• You may apply with as many artworks as you would like for consideration. New works are welcome.
• If you need more time than the application deadline allows to create a new work, submitting either planning sketches, digital or drawn, or images of the work(s) in progress will be acceptable.

IMPORTANT DATES

• The complete application needs to be submitted no later than Sunday, October 30, 2022, at 11:59pm EST. Early applications are strongly encouraged.
• We will notify all artists of our decision no later than Friday, November 18, 2022.
• If you are selected to be part of the Bowie Pop-up Gallery and Art Sale, your artwork must be received at the NLM on or before Friday, December 16, 2022, ready to install. Artwork delivery instructions will be outlined in your notification emails.

For any questions, please email Meegan Coll, Curator of Artistic Partnerships, at mcoll@libertymuseum.org.