The 21st ArtsWorcester Biennial

CALL FOR ART:

The 21st ArtsWorcester Biennial

Submission Deadline: March 19, 2025

First Round of Notifications: by April 2, 2025

Drop off for in-person jurying: April 16-19, 2025

Final Round of Notifications: by April 23, 2025

Exhibition Dates: May 8 - June 29, 2025

Artwork pickup: July 13 - July 16

Since 1985, the ArtsWorcester Biennial has shown some of the region’s best contemporary visual art. The tradition continues in 2025 with the 21st ArtsWorcester Biennial, juried by Francine Weiss, Ph.D., independent curator and arts consultant. Read more about our juror here.

The ArtsWorcester Biennial has no theme. All media are welcome, including but not limited to painting, sculpture, photography, fiber, fine craft, digital art, and video. 

The winner of the Sally Bishop Biennial Prize will receive a $1,000 award and a solo exhibition at the Worcester Art Museum during their 2026-27 season. 

Additional honors include the Evelyn Claywell Absher Award for Abstract Art and the Ruth Susan Westheimer Prize for Fine Craft, both of which come with $1,000 prizes (Abstract work and fine craft are eligible for the Sally Bishop Prize as well). Another $2,000 in prizes will be given at the discretion of the juror. As part of the Worcester Art Museum’s support of the Biennial, the first one hundred and fifty artists who submit work to the Biennial, regardless of its acceptance, will receive a complimentary, one-year individual membership to WAM.

All entries must be made online, and current ArtsWorcester membership is required to submit. A $15 fee applies to each work submitted, with a maximum of three works per artist. If you would like financial assistance with membership or Biennial fees through our Pay It Forward Fund, please contact alice@artsworcester.org.

There will be two rounds of jurying for the Twenty-First ArtsWorcester Biennial: one online and the second in-person. Artists will be notified of the status of their artwork(s) in the first round by April 2 and must bring their artwork to ArtsWorcester between April 16 and April 19. ArtsWorcester cannot accept or return work by shipping. Artists will be notified of final decisions by April 23. Any artwork not accepted must be picked up by May 10. 

Have a question about the call, or want to share what you’re thinking of submitting? Email alice@artsworcester.org or call the gallery at 508-755-5142.

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Submission Guidelines:

• ArtsWorcester membership is required for submission. Membership fees are non-refundable. If you would like financial assistance with membership, please contact alice@artsworcester.org.
• Each artist may submit up to three works for consideration, and all entries must be made online.
• A non-refundable $15 fee applies to each work submitted. Payment must be made online at the time of submission. If you would like financial assistance with Biennial fees, please contact alice@artsworcester.org.
• Artwork must be original, completed within the last five years (2019 onward), and not previously exhibited at ArtsWorcester. For example, a monoprint or screen print is permitted, but a giclée print of a painting is not.
• Two-dimensional artworks or artworks that hang on the wall must not exceed 60" in any direction, including frame.
• Three-dimensional artworks are limited to 90" in height, and no single element can exceed 50 pounds. Three-dimensional artworks may not exceed 48" at their widest point.
• Artworks suspended from the ceiling are limited to 50 pounds.
• ArtsWorcester has limited screening equipment for video works. Video artists may be asked to provide their own screening device.
• Works must be exhibition-ready with framing and wire as appropriate. Alternative hanging methods (suspension from the ceiling, installation with magnets, etc.) must be tested prior to submission to ensure successful installation.
• If accepted, work must be delivered in person or by proxy. ArtsWorcester cannot accept or return work by shipment.
• Artworks not accepted in the second round of in-person jurying must be picked up following the second notification.
• Artists receive sixty percent of each sale made through our galleries.