OPEN CALL: EXPRESS NEWARK – LEGACY PROJECT IN BOX GALLERY

Application due date: June 8, 2026 at 11:59pm

Artist Honorarium: $5000 + Up to $10K Production Budget

Express Newark (EN) is a hub for socially engaged practices in the Arts. Our educators, learners, artists, and community members come together to create, collaborate, and share stories that express our collective experience.

EN will commission a Greater Newark artist to create an immersive, site-specific art installation in The Box Gallery. This space is 296 SF located on the third floor of EN and is open to the public six days a week. We have been cultivating the space, less about showcasing traditional art objects in a white cube gallery, as much as an experience that welcome passerby to sit and linger in the work.

The theme for EN from September 2026 – June 2027 is “Legacy” which marks our 10th anniversary. Specifically, for this call we would like to see proposals that consider this theme from various viewpoints, not just as what we inherit, but as what we actively shape and pass forward.

We encourage you to take a moment to review our previous exhibitions on the EN website – we have a focus on contemporary art and support artists from all walks of life. You are more than welcome to do an in-person site visit at the times EN is open (Monday to Saturday 8am to 9pm).

A Greater Newark Artist is someone who lives, works, has a studio, has been active in the community, or has a close connection to Newark.
The selected individual will be provided with an honorarium of $5,000.

Other forms of support include access to a $10,000 production budget, curatorial, technical, administrative, marketing and preparator support.

How to apply:
Applications will only be accepted via email: contact_prg@newark.rutgers.edu
Subject Line: Legacy Open Call – Box Gallery

Applications should consist of:

1. Images

10 images of work related to the theme

File format: JPEG, 72 dpi, no larger than 1000 pixels (H & W)

File title: LAST NAME first name_#1

2. Image List

Cataloging details about the artworks, artist, title, date, medium, dimensions, may include a 100 word description

File format: PDF

File title: LAST NAME first name_ images

3. Artist Statement

One statement, no longer than 500 words, about how your work relates to the theme.

File format: PDF

File title: LAST NAME first name_ statement

4. Artist Resume

One current resume/CV

File format: PDF

File title: LAST NAME first name_ resume

5. Proposal

One proposal, no longer than 500 words, about what you would like to do in the space. This should include a description of what, why, how you would achieve stated intention and draw a connection with past work (included in the images) as a reference.

File format: PDF

File title: LAST NAME first name_ proposal

Timeline:
Application due date: June 8, 2026 at 11:59pm

Exhibition opens: October 8, 2026 during Newark Arts Festival

Exhibition closes: July 31, 2026

Please note:
No late applications will be considered.

Please do not contact us about the status of your application, you will be notified in due course.