Organizer Information
The Umbrella Arts Center is a cultural hub in Concord, MA, welcoming nearly 30,000 visitors annually. It provides diverse access to performing arts, visual arts, and arts education. The Umbrella supports over 50 studio artists and artists-in-residence and features multiple galleries, state-of-the-art performance spaces, classrooms, and a ceramics studio. Its mission is to promote creativity, learning, personal growth, and cultural exchange through accessible arts programming.
Title & Description
Call for Proposals – 2026/27 Season
The Umbrella Arts Center seeks proposals for exhibitions in its Allie Kussin Gallery and Wedge Gallery, as well as select outdoor installations, for the 2026/27 season (September 2026 – June 2027). The center is looking for exhibitions that are bold, engaging, fun, and educational, creating opportunities for cultural conversation and reflection. Submissions can be from individual artists, groups, or curators, and may include solo shows, curated group exhibitions, or juried shows across a wide range of media and themes. Proposals should aim to engage the community, tell a story, and potentially guide the gallery space in new directions.
Categories
Visual Art, Contemporary Art, Installation, Curated Group Shows, Outdoor Art (optional), Mixed Media, Community Engagement.
Eligibility
- Individual artists, groups of artists, or curators.
- Regional artists preferred but not strictly limited; site-specificity or local relevance encouraged.
- Artists and curators should have a portfolio of prior work demonstrating experience in gallery or exhibition settings.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Curator Fees: $1,500–$3,000 per exhibition.
- Artist Honorariums: $300–$1,100 (for non-sale exhibitions).
- Materials and installation support provided as needed.
- Insurance: Coverage up to $50,000 for loaned or consigned works; insurance rider required if individual pieces exceed $15,000 or total show exceeds $280,000.
- Sales: Works may be sold; The Umbrella retains a 30% commission on sales.
- Installation assistance provided for 2D works; specific requirements coordinated ahead of exhibition.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
Section 1 – About You:
- Artist/curator statement (max 500 words, or 200 words per artist + 300-word statement of interest for groups).
- CV/resume with contact information.
- Portfolio: 5–10 representative images.
- Website or social media (optional).
- Three references.
Section 2 – About the Exhibition:
- Proposed exhibition title.
- Exhibition statement (max 300 words).
- High-resolution JPEG images of selected works for the exhibition.
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
- Exhibition Period: September 2026 – June 2027
Location
Concord, Massachusetts, United States
Additional Details
- Transportation/shipping of artwork is the responsibility of the artist.
- Installation coordination provided; all work must be ready at the designated installation time.
- Exhibitions should engage audiences, create conversation, and may involve outdoor components if proposed.
- Artists and curators retain responsibility for works during transport; insurance only covers works while in the gallery under The Umbrella’s coverage policy.
Website Link: https://theumbrellaarts.org/visual-arts/call-art
