Organizer Information:

Art in Odd Places (AiOP). An artist-run organization that aims to stretch the boundaries of communication in the public realm by presenting artworks outside the confines of traditional arts institutions. The 2026 edition is curated by Arantxa Araujo & Pancho López.

Title & Description:

Applications are open for Art in Odd Places 2026: UTOPIAS.

For its 21st edition, AiOP invites proposals that inhabit the city not as it is, but as it could be—transforming 14th Street in Manhattan into a living laboratory for collective dreams, radical care, and shared futures. The curators are seeking projects that propose speculative infrastructures for care, refusal, joy, and mutual recognition, inviting passersby into acts of listening, resting, mourning, celebration, or play.

Category:

Public Art & Performance (Includes installations, performance, actions, gestures, sound, and participatory practices).

Eligibility:

  • Who: Open to individual artists and collectives from anywhere in the world.
  • Student Ban: Current students are strictly NOT eligible to apply.
  • Self-Sufficiency: Projects MUST be entirely self-produced and self-sufficient (low to no tech). The festival does not provide technical equipment, permits, insurance, or security.
  • Permits & Traffic: You must NOT apply for a city permit. Projects must be self-contained and able to move or remain static without impeding the flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic (do not block egresses, crosswalks, or sidewalks).
  • Attendance & Mobility: Artists MUST commit to maintaining a presence at the festival for the duration of the event (12:00 PM – 5:00 PM on both days). You must also be prepared to move your project to a different section of 14th Street on Sunday.

Program Benefits & Awards:

  • Honorarium: All selected artists will receive an honorarium acknowledging their contributions to the festival.
  • Exposure: Promotion to AiOP’s network of press/art world contacts and a dedicated presence on the AiOP website.
  • Support: Project consultation, advice for working in the public realm, and letters of support for visas or individual grant applications.

Application Fee & Program Costs:

  • Application Fee: Free to apply.
  • Travel & Housing: AiOP cannot assist with travel expenses or housing accommodations. Artists are strictly responsible for their own logistics and expenses.

Application Requirements:

  • Submission Portal: Applications must be submitted via the online form. (Mailed/paper submissions will not be considered).
  • Required Documents:
    1. Project Summary (Max 100 words).
    2. Project Proposal detailing the concept, media, method of execution, and public engagement (Max 300 words).
    3. Connection to the theme of UTOPIAS (Max 100 words).
    4. Artist Bio (75–150 words) and CV link.
    5. Links to project supporting information (renderings, photos, or a 1-minute max video clip).

Key Dates:

  • Application Deadline: April 21, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST.
  • Notification of Results: May 21, 2026.
  • Festival Dates: September 26 & 27, 2026 (12:00 PM – 5:00 PM daily).

Location:

14th Street, New York City, NY, USA (Saturday: 1st Ave to 3rd Ave | Sunday: 6th Ave to 8th Ave).

Contact Information:

Inquiries Email: aiopnyc@gmail.com