VisArts welcomes VisArts faculty who’ve taught in a 2025 class to submit work, open to all media, for an exhibition to be held in the Kaplan Gallery from March 27 – May 3, 2026. An opening reception will be held Friday, March 27, 2026 from 7-9 PM.
Deadline: February 18 , 2026 (midnight EST)
VisArts’ Galleries department will review up to two submissions and will email accepted applicants of their status.
Drop off accepted work, along with a signed loan and condition form, will be at the VisArts Galleries office on the 2nd floor of VisArts on Monday - Friday, March 16 -20, 2026 between 10 AM and 5 PM or by prior appointment with M Aragon (maragon@visartscenter.org).
Work must be delivered ready for installation; wall-hung pieces must be mounted or wired for hanging.
All framed work must be presented in a natural wood color or black frame, no metal frames accepted.
Work will remain on display for the duration of the exhibition.
All work is insured by VisArts while on the premises, to the extent it would be if owned by VisArts. If work sells during the exhibition, or as a result thereof, VisArts retains a 20% commission of the listed sales price.
Pick up artwork in the Kaplan Gallery on Monday, May 4, 2026 between 10 AM and 5 PM.
Contact maragon@visartscenter.org for more information.
VisArts welcomes current VisArts staff members to submit work, open to all media, for an exhibition to be held in the Common Ground Gallery from March 14 – May 3, 2026. An opening reception will be held Friday, March 21, 2026 from 7-9 PM.
Deadline: February 21 , 2026 (midnight EST)
VisArts’ Galleries department will review up to two submissions and will email accepted applicants by February 28, 2026.
Drop off accepted work, along with a signed loan and condition form, will be at the VisArts Galleries office on the 2nd floor of VisArts on Monday - Friday, March 2 -6, 2026 between 10 AM and 5 PM or by prior appointment with M Aragon (maragon@visartscenter.org).
Work must be delivered ready for installation; wall-hung pieces must be mounted or wired for hanging.
All framed work must be presented in a natural wood color or black frame, no metal frames accepted.
Work will remain on display for the duration of the exhibition.
All work is insured by VisArts while on the premises, to the extent it would be if owned by VisArts. If work sells during the exhibition, or as a result thereof, VisArts retains a 20% commission of the listed sales price.
Pick up artwork in the Common Ground Gallery on Monday, May 4, 2026 between 10 AM and 5 PM.
Contact maragon@visartscenter.org for more information.
VisArts welcomes VisArts students who were enrolled in a 2025 class to submit work, open to all media, for an exhibition to be held in the Concourse Gallery from March 27 – May 10, 2026. An opening reception will be held Friday, March 27, 2026 from 7-9 PM.
Deadline: February 18 , 2026 (midnight EST)
VisArts’ Galleries department will review up to two submissions and will email accepted applicants of their status.
Drop off accepted work, along with a signed loan and condition form, will be at the VisArts Galleries office on the 2nd floor of VisArts on Monday - Friday, March 16 -20, 2026 between 10 AM and 5 PM or by prior appointment with M Aragon (maragon@visartscenter.org).
Work must be delivered ready for installation; wall-hung pieces must be mounted or wired for hanging.
All framed work must be presented in a natural wood color or black frame, no metal frames accepted.
Work will remain on display for the duration of the exhibition.
All work is insured by VisArts while on the premises, to the extent it would be if owned by VisArts. If work sells during the exhibition, or as a result thereof, VisArts retains a 20% commission of the listed sales price.
Pick up artwork in the Kaplan Gallery on Monday, May 11, 2026 between 10 AM and 5 PM.
Contact maragon@visartscenter.org for more information.
Welcome to Representative Jamie Raskin’s 2026 Congressional Art Competition.
High school students who reside in the 8th Congressional District of Maryland represented by Congressmember Jamie Raskin, are eligible to submit for this juried exhibition.
See Rep. Raskin’s website for more details.
The submission deadline is Monday, March 30, 2026 by 11:59 PM (EST).
Each student may submit one piece. Artwork entered in the contest must be 2-dimensional (no bas-relief), no larger than 26 inches high, 26 inches wide, and 4 inches in depth when framed.
DO NOT SUBMIT USING A TEACHER’S NAME. Students must submit using their name NOT THE TEACHER’S NAME.
Artwork submitted must be accompanied by a completed, signed, Student Information & Submission Form.
If you have questions or require additional assistance, please contact Nina Weisbroth or Hailey Roh in Congressmember Raskin’s District Office at 301-354-1000 or nina.weisbroth@mail.house.gov, or hailey.roh@mail.house.gov.
VisArts NextGen 13.0 Exhibition Free, Open Call for Submissions
VisArts invites emerging artists ages 17–27 from the DC, Maryland, and Virginia region to apply for NextGen 13.0, our annual exhibition spotlighting new and developing voices. The exhibition will be presented in the Gibbs Street Gallery from March 27–May 10, 2026.
Designed especially for artists with little or no prior exhibition experience, NextGen 13.0 offers a rare chance to present work in a professional gallery setting while engaging in a robust slate of supportive programming. Selected artists will participate in an opening reception, artist talks, and conversations with fellow emerging artists, as well as critiques and professional development sessions led by local curators and arts administrators who actively work with young artists.
Artists who previously participated in NextGen are not eligible to apply. However, applicants who were not selected in past years are encouraged to reapply.
NextGen 13.0 will be juried by VisArts’ Galleries Director & Curator, Frank McCauley, along with members of the Artist Advisory Council.
Application Deadline
Wednesday, March 11, 2026 All application materials must be submitted online through our Submittable portal by 11:59 PM (EST).
- Incomplete applications will not be reviewed
- Submission does not guarantee acceptance
- Selected artists will be notified by March 13, 2026
Questions
Email M. Aragon, Exhibition Programming Manager Subject line: VisArts NextGen 13.0 Open Call
Required Application Materials
Applicants must submit the following:
- Completed application form
- Images of artwork:
- Up to five works of art
- High-resolution images with captions
- Accepted formats: .jpg, .tiff, .png, or .gif
- Minimum resolution: 1920 × 1080 pixels
- Film and video submissions:
- Two minutes of video, film, sound, or performance documentation equals one work
- Up to 10 minutes total may be submitted
- Accepted formats: .mp4
- Artist statement (maximum 250 words)
- Artist bio (maximum 150 words)
- Resume or CV
Resume Guidance
We understand that creating an artist résumé can feel intimidating if you’re early in your career. Strong résumés can be brief, as long as they are clear and well organized. Relevant experience may include:
- Student art exhibitions
- Assisting at art camps or community programs
- Teaching or facilitating art classes
Helpful Resources
These resources are provided to help applicants submit competitive materials and develop professional practices:
- Artist statement and artist bio
- Artist résumé
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Exhibition and sale of artwork
- Guidelines for presenting artwork in digital format
About VisArts
VisArts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to transform individuals and communities through the visual arts.
A hub for artistic exploration and social impact since 1987, VisArts brings people together through shared creative experiences, including:
- Critically acclaimed contemporary art exhibitions, programs, and events
- Award-winning art classes, camps, and parties for children and adults
- Studio Artist and Emerging Curator programs
- VisAbility Art Lab and Accessible Arts Classes for artists with disabilities
- Community art workshops
- Art + Wellness programs
- Volunteer and internship opportunities
Together, these initiatives inspire new ideas, encourage self-expression, embrace diverse perspectives, and celebrate the visual arts as essential to a connected community.