Organizer Information
Field Projects is a prominent artist-run gallery and project space located in the heart of Chelsea, New York City’s premier arts district. Established to support emerging and mid-career artists, the gallery operates through a unique hybrid model of curated solo shows and high-profile open calls. Field Projects has gained a reputation as a critical launchpad for contemporary creators, offering them visibility within the competitive New York market. By inviting esteemed outside curators and industry professionals to review submissions, the gallery ensures a diverse and unbiased selection process. Their mission is to bridge the gap between independent artistic practice and the formal gallery system, fostering a community that values experimentation, materiality, and innovative spatial interventions.
Title & Description
Field Projects Outdoor Sculpture Open Call 2026
This open call invites artists to submit works for a site-specific installation on the outdoor terrace of the gallery’s Chelsea location. The purpose of this opportunity is to activate the public-facing architectural space with innovative, three-dimensional works that engage with the urban landscape of Manhattan. Artists are challenged to create or propose Sculpture that can withstand the unique environmental conditions of New York City while maintaining aesthetic integrity. The program seeks works that explore themes of materiality, site-specificity, and the interaction between art and the open air. This is a high-visibility platform where selected artists can showcase their ability to scale work for an outdoor professional context, directly overlooking the bustling streets of Chelsea.
Categories
- Sculpture: All forms of three-dimensional work suitable for outdoor display.
- Installation: Site-specific interventions or environmental works designed for the terrace.
- Mixed Media: Objects utilizing weather-resistant materials such as metal, stone, treated wood, or industrial plastics.
- Interdisciplinary Arts: Works that may incorporate Sound/Music or Light Art, provided the components are durable and self-contained.
Eligibility
- International: Open to all artists worldwide; however, artists must be able to manage the logistics of delivery to New York.
- Emerging Artists: This call is specifically designed to provide a platform for artists seeking their first major New York City outdoor exhibition.
- Multiple Disciplines: Individual artists and artist collectives are both eligible to apply.
- Technical Requirement: Applicants must prove that their work is structurally sound and capable of being safely secured in an outdoor, elevated environment.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Exhibition: A featured seasonal Exhibition on the Field Projects terrace in Chelsea, NYC.
- Networking: Unparalleled exposure to a wide audience of global collectors, curators, and gallery directors visiting the West 20th Street corridor.
- Promotion: Extensive digital coverage including inclusion in the gallery’s archive, social media campaigns, and international press releases.
- Sales: Selected works will be available for sale through the gallery's platform, providing professional sales management and buyer outreach.
Application Fee
$35 USD for up to 5 images/submissions.
Application Requirements
- Personal Info: Full contact information, website, and social media handles.
- CV: A professional resume (PDF) detailing previous exhibition history.
- Artist Statement: A concise text (max 250 words) describing the proposed or submitted work.
- Portfolio: 5 high-resolution images showing the work from multiple angles or detailed proposal sketches for new commissions.
- Technical Specs: A document outlining dimensions, weight, and a list of materials to confirm outdoor durability.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 19 April 2026
- Notification Date: Late April / Early May 2026
- Installation Period: May 2026
- Exhibition Period: Summer 2026
Location
New York, NY, United States
Additional Details
As this is an outdoor exhibition, durability is the primary concern. Works must be able to withstand high winds, rain, and varying temperatures without degradation. While Field Projects provides the exhibition site and marketing, artists are responsible for the Shipping Cost and insurance during transit to the Chelsea location.