Black Creativity
Call for ArtistsCall for Artists
Apply for the 2026 exhibition through October 12, 2025.

Submissions are now open for the 2026 Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition at Griffin Museum of Science and Industry. This annual show presents works of art from professional and emerging Black artists from across the United States, as well as works by Black teen artists from the Chicagoland area, all as part of the Museum’s 56th annual Black Creativity Program.
We welcome you to submit your work!
Entry Guidelines
Eligibility
General Category
Black artists 18 years of age or older.
Teen Category
Black teen artists in the Chicagoland area (within 100 miles of the Museum) currently enrolled in secondary education, grades 9-12 or equivalent.
Medium
Contemporary works created in any visual medium.
Jurors
Alexandria Eregbu: Independent curator and interdisciplinary art practitioner
Akilah Halley: Executive Director, Marwen
Norman Teague: Owner, Norman Teague Design Studio and professor
Fee
General Category (over 18): $10 (nonrefundable)
Teen Category (under 18): free
Awards
General Category*
Best in Show: $4,000
Second Place: $2,750
Third Place: $1,500
Teen Category
Best in Show: $600
Second Place: $375
Third Place: $250
*General Category award winners will also receive two complimentary tickets to the 2026 Black Creativity Gala held at the Museum.
Application Deadline
October 12, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. CST (See full exhibition timeline below.)
Notification
Accepted artists will be notified via email through the CaFE system.
Important Information for Applicants
Additional information will be shared with accepted artists. Click each section below for a general overview of participation expectations.
More Information
For technical support with the online submission application, visit the CaFE Help For Artists page or contact CaFE support: cafe@westaf.org or (303) 629-1166.
For all other questions, contact Griffin MSI at juriedart@msichicago.org.
The 2026 Black Creativity Program is sponsored by The Allstate Insurance Company and Ardmore Roderick.