2D Temporary Public Art Installation Open Call — RoCo
Submit three images for a temporary public art installation that enliven the East Avenue neighborhood and address social/political issues or connect to community and neighborhood history.
Does this fit your work? 5 questions score every call to your medium, location and budget. Free.
Get matched →- Deadline
- 1 day left
- Entry fee
- Free
- Award
- $400
- Location
- Rochester Contemporary Art Center, 137 East Ave., Rochester, NY 14604, United States
- Applicants notified
- Oct 15, 2026
About
Overview
RoCo invites artists to propose three images for a temporary public art installation at its main facility, offering a simple submission process for incisive, surprising, and unique imagery intended to enliven the East Avenue neighborhood. RoCo is particularly interested in projects that connect visitors to the location, community, and/or history of the neighborhood, challenge visitors and passersby, and address important social and political issues.
Eligibility
Open to local, national, and international artists. Artists who have previously exhibited in other RoCo exhibitions are eligible to apply. RoCo may occasionally give preference to submissions from Rochester artists to help local 2D artists first exhibit their work in public space. Open to visual artists of all genres; visual artists may also collaborate with literary artists.
Categories
- Visual Arts
- Public Art
- Photography
- Digital
- Mixed Media
- Literary Arts (for visual/literary artist collaborations)
Awards & Benefits
- $400 stipend and use fee for exhibiting preexisting images
- All production and installation costs covered by RoCo
- Selected series of three images exhibited publicly 24/7 for 4–6 months (duration determined with RoCo staff)
- Free display at site visited by estimated 300–600 people weekly, with neighborhood festivals attracting additional visitors
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 15 September 2026
- Artist Selection: by October 15 (and April 15 for the other cycle)
- Installation: prior to December First Friday (and prior to June First Friday for the other cycle)
How to Apply
Email a single PDF submission to [email protected]. No entry fee. Prior to submission, artists are encouraged to visit the installation site both during the day and at night, and to learn about the history and context of the location and neighborhood. A high-resolution floor plan with dimensions is available for download via RoCo's website.
Special Notes
This call for submissions is open twice per year. Artists interested in creating new works (rather than exhibiting preexisting images) are invited to contact RoCo directly.
- Award
- $400 stipend and use fee; all production and installation costs covered; public exhibition for 4–6 months to 300–600 weekly visitors
- Entry fee
- Free to enter
- Theme
- Projects that connect visitors to the location, community, and/or history of the East Avenue neighborhood, challenge visitors and passersby, and address important social and political issues.
- Eligibility
- Open to local, national, and international artists; artists who have previously exhibited at RoCo are eligible; visual artists of all genres may apply, and may also collaborate with literary artists.
- Audience
- Open to local, national, and international artists; visual artists may collaborate with literary artists
- Contact
- [email protected]
Every listing links to the organizer's official page. Always confirm deadlines, fees, and entry rules there before you apply.