Description

VisArts welcomes artists ages 17–27 in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area to submit their application for NextGen 11.0. The exhibit will be presented in the Gibbs Street Gallery from March 22 - May 12, 2024.

NextGen 11.0 is a unique opportunity for aspiring artists who have little or no exhibition experience to show their work in a professional gallery and participate in related programming, including: an opening reception and artist talks, conversations with other emerging artists, critiques with local curators and arts administrators - who work with young artists, and additional professional development opportunities.

Prior NextGen participants are ineligible. NextGen applicants who weren’t selected for previous exhibitions may re-apply this year.

NextGen 11.0 jurors: Naoco Wowsugi, Associate Professor for American University's Department of Art and Community- Engaged artist + José Ruiz, Curator and Director of the Curatorial Practice MFA program at Maryland Institute College of Art.

Application Deadline: Friday, February 16, 2024

All application materials must be submitted online through our Submittable portal no later than 11:59 PM EST on Friday, February 16, 2024

Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Submission does not guarantee acceptance. Selected artists will be notified by March 1, 2024.

Questions? Email M Aragon, Exhibition Programming Coordination, with the subject line: “VisArts NextGen 11.0 Open Call.”

Required Application Materials
· Application form
· Hi-res images with captions for up to five works of art. Images must be in .jpg, .tiff, .png, or .gif file format with a minimum image resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.
· Film and video pieces are welcome; two minutes of video, film, sound, or performance documentation equals one work. You may submit up to 10 minutes of film or video in total. Videos must be in .mp4 or .mov file format.
· Artist statement (250 words maximum)
· Artist bio (150 words maximum)
· Resume/ CV

We realize it can be intimidating to create an artist resumé when you don’t have a lot of experience, but great resumés can be brief as long as they’re clear and well-organized. You can include experiences like exhibiting in student art shows, assisting at art camps, and teaching art classes.

About VisArts
VisArts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Our 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:
· Award-winning art classes, camps, and parties for children and adults
· Critically acclaimed contemporary art exhibitions, programs + events
· 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
· The Rockville Arts Festival

These inspire new ideas, encourage self-expression, embrace diverse perspectives, and celebrate the visual arts as fundamental to a connected community.

Photography by Gregory Staley.