Organizer Information
Organized by Arte de América (in partnership with EC Arts Books), América Matérica is an international online cultural initiative dedicated to promoting contemporary Latin American visual artists globally. By facilitating virtual exhibitions, digital publishing projects, and professional mentorship programs, the platform connects curators, art critics, researchers, and Latin American visual creators across local and diaspora contexts.
Title & Description
Exhibición América Matérica 2026: "Territorios de la materia en el arte latinoamericano contemporáneo"
Arte de América has opened applications for América Matérica 2026, an international virtual group exhibition launching on October 12, 2026 (coinciding with Día de la Hispanidad). Asking the central curatorial question "What can materiality say about Latin America?", the call invites Latin American visual creators to submit recent works where physical or conceptual materiality plays an essential role. Accepting painting, sculpture, installation, textiles, object-based, and interdisciplinary practices, the exhibition explores how materials intersect with process, context, and identity. Three top awardees will receive specialized professional mentorships and feature placement in the forthcoming book 100 Artistas Contemporáneos Latinoamericanos.
Categories
The call accepts Painting, Sculpture, Installation, Assemblage, Textile Art, Mixed Media, Experimental Photography, Object-Based Work, and Interdisciplinary Projects.
(Note: Pure digital art and generative AI creations are strictly excluded).
Eligibility
- Demographic Scope: Open to visual artists aged 18 years of age or older who identify as Latin American, regardless of their current country of residence worldwide.
- Artwork Constraints: Each artist may submit up to 2 artworks. Submitted pieces must have been completed between 2023 and the present.
- Thematic Scope: Open theme, provided the work highlights the relationship between material, process, and concept.
Program Benefits & Awards
All selected artists receive an official Digital Certificate of Participation, website features on artedeamerica.art, and dedicated social media coverage. Furthermore, an independent curatorial committee will award three primary prizes to highlight outstanding material research:
- Premio Materia (Material Research & Experimentation)
- Premio Territorio (Material, Context & Identity)
- Premio Pulso (Strength & Projection of an Artistic Practice)
Benefits for the 3 Award Winners:
- Book Publication: Inclusion in the art book "100 Artistas Contemporáneos Latinoamericanos" (Scheduled for publication in early 2027).
- Professional Mentorship Program: A free individual mentorship package comprising a 1-on-1 session with a guest curator/art professional, portfolio review and analysis, conceptual feedback, and strategic career development guidance.
Application Fee
Participation in the open call is 100% free of charge ($0 entry fee).
How to Apply
Compile your artist statement, artwork metadata, and embedded images into a single PDF document and submit via email.
- Submission Email: ec.arts.books@gmail.com
- Instagram Updates: @artedeamerica.art
Key Dates
- Application Submission Window: September 4, 2026 – October 4, 2026
- Jury Panel Announcement: September 7, 2026
- Selected Artists Notification & Public Announcement: October 10, 2026 (via email & web)
- Virtual Exhibition Opening Night: October 12, 2026
- Mentorships & Book Publication: Late 2026 / Early 2027
Location
All application processing, curatorial evaluations, virtual gallery displays, Instagram feature campaigns, and mentorship sessions operate entirely Online.
Additional Details
Evaluations are performed by an independent curatorial board comprising Latin American contemporary art curators, researchers, and critics. The committee's decisions are final and individual feedback for unselected applicants is not provided.