Organizer Information
The Umbrella Arts Center is a cultural leader in metro-west Boston, welcoming nearly 30,000 visitors annually. It provides diverse access to performing and visual arts, arts education, and community programming. The Umbrella supports over 50 studio artists and artists-in-residence, and features multiple galleries, state-of-the-art performance spaces, and classrooms. Its mission is to promote creativity, learning, personal growth, and cultural exchange through accessible arts experiences.
Title & Description
Art Ramble – Fall 2026
The Umbrella Arts Center invites proposals for its annual temporary outdoor public art installation, the Art Ramble, in collaboration with the Concord Natural Resources Division. Located around Fairyland Pond in Hapgood Wright Town Forest (Concord, MA), the Ramble is a 1.5-mile woodland trail designed to host a site-specific, durable, and visitor-engaging installation. For Fall 2026, The Umbrella seeks a single artist or curated group exhibition with strong storytelling, offering reflection and engagement with the local environment. Artists are encouraged to explore the site independently prior to proposal submission. Works may be displayed for up to three months and must adhere to Leave No Trace principles.
Categories
Visual Art, Installation Art, Outdoor/Site-Specific Art, Public Art, Storytelling-Based Art.
Eligibility
- Individual artists or groups/curated collectives.
- Open to artists capable of creating durable outdoor installations.
- Artists should have experience with or interest in site-specific and public engagement art.
- Based in the United States; no geographic restrictions explicitly noted, but site familiarity is recommended.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Honorarium: $2,000 per artist.
- Materials Allowance: Up to $1,500.
- Installation support and guidance from The Umbrella Arts Center.
- Insurance coverage for artwork on consignment or loan up to $50,000 (insurance rider required for pieces over $15,000 or total exhibition over $280,000).
- Opportunity for artwork sales with a 30% commission to The Umbrella.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
Section 1 – About You:
- Artist statement (max 500 words) including interest in working with The Umbrella.
- CV or resume with contact information.
- Portfolio of work.
- Website or social media (optional).
- Three references.
Section 2 – About the Ramble:
- Proposed title and 300-word project statement.
- Proposed budget (honorarium + materials).
- Up to six images (design drawings, models, or mock-ups).
How to Apply?
Proposals can be submitted to Julia Martorell, Visual Arts Manager, at julia@theumbrellaarts.org as one PDF document that includes all of the application materials.
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 7 January 2026
Location
Concord, Massachusetts, United States
Additional Details
- Outdoor, site-specific, and durable materials required.
- Leave No Trace: all materials must be removed after the exhibition; no installations in water.
- Works must match submitted proposals; deviations may result in rejection.
- Transportation and shipping are the responsibility of the artist.
- Public trail considerations: sound/light components must be visitor-activatable or switchable.
Website Link: https://theumbrellaarts.org/visual-arts/call-art
