What's the Word?: By Us and About Us

Contact InformationWorcester Center for Crafts | NE Black Artists CollectiveContact Email: [email protected] Phone: 508-753-8183

Requirement OverviewLocation Eligibility Type: RegionalEligible Applicant Types: ArtistSubmission Limit: 1Media RequirementsImages | Min: 1, Max: 5Audio | Min: 0, Max: 0Video | Min: 0, Max: 0Total | Min: 1, Max: 5

Opportunity SummaryThe theme of the fourth annual exhibition aligns with the national theme for Black History Month as determined by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. The 2027 theme explores how African American communication, identity expression, and activism have evolved over time.NEBAC encourages submissions from visual artists working in any medium--sculptors, photographers, mixed media creators, interdisciplinary artists, and painters.

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General InformationThe theme of the fourth annual exhibition aligns with the national theme for Black History Month as determined by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. The 2027 theme explores how African American communication, identity expression, and activism have evolved over time.The exhibit will explore how African Americans communicate, express identity, and spur action through various means, including early printed or recorded media up to and including today’s vibrant digital platforms that amplify black voices globally.NEBAC invites creatives, particularly those with lived experience as members of the African and African-American Diaspora, to portray how “the word” about black culture, successes and struggles is shared either privately or publicly. The exhibition will further explore such questions as what news or ideas do you pass on, preserve or interrogate.NEBAC encourages submissions from visual artists working in any medium--sculptors, photographers, mixed media creators, interdisciplinary artists, and painters. The works will be juried by:Toby Sisson—Associate Professor and Director of the Visual Arts Program at Clark UniversityDeborah Hall—Founder and Director of the Worcester Black History ProjectCandace Casey—Director, the Krikorian GalleryJurors will select the best of show with a $500 cash prize, and two honorable mentions. IMPORTANT DATES:The submission deadline is December 1, 2026Artists will be notified by January 3, 2027Jury results will be announced by January 6, 2027Work will need to be in house by January 16, 2027 (delivered or mailed with return postage)The show will be on view February 1 - February 28, 2027

Application RequirementsSubmissions from visual artists of any medium--sculptors, photographers, mixed media creators, interdisciplinary artists.

Eligibility CriteriaYou are to submit up to 5 pieces of workSubmit a 150 - 250 word artist statement and a statement relative to the works and how they relate to the theme.New or existing work should be engaging and reflect the exhibit theme.Maximum size for textiles 88”x90” (display to be finalized with gallery)Maximum size for other works 65”x60”Selected work for walls must be ready to hang with wire (NOT Alligators)

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