Contemporary works created in any visual medium are accepted, including:

Architecture + Design • Ceramics • Digital Art • Drawing • Mixed Media • Painting • Photography + Video • Print Media • Sculpture • Textiles

Accepted work must be finished, dry and ready for professional installation (see Specifications and Accepted Work for more details below).

General Category
Black artists over 18.

Teen Category
Black artists who are 18 or younger, OR currently enrolled in grades 9-12 (or the equivalent).

1. Each artist may submit up to four individual artworks for consideration.
2. Submissions are only accepted via CaFE and each entry will be judged as an artwork’s entirety. If artworks are created as a diptych, tryptic or a series, they should be presented as complete as possible in the submission image and identified as such in the title.
3. Work must have been completed in the past three years (2019-present).
4. Artwork must be original, unsold artwork and not have been selected for any previous Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition.
5. Any video artwork must be ADA-compliant.
6. Accepted object dimensions (based on building/installation capabilities):
   
   • 2D hard-sided works (stretched canvas/framed) may not exceed 96 inches in any direction
   • 2D soft works (unframed textile) may not exceed 104 inches in any direction
   • 3D small scale works are generally displayed within vitrines, which can accommodate up to 34 inches high. Note: This does not mean that larger sculptures will not be accepted, just that they would not be presented within an enclosed vitrine.
   • 3D mid/large sized, heavy and/or installation works will be reviewed per artwork, based on MSI’s gallery, safety and physical installation capabilities. 
Note: MSI is not able to install artwork which hangs from the ceiling.

Jurying will be from digital assets only, with submissions only accepted via CaFE. Visit CaFE's website for help.

Images should be of good quality; they should accurately reflect the color and detail of each piece. Images of 3D objects, installations or diptych/series should illustrate the height, width and depth of the artwork. MSI reserves the right to reject submissions that present images of poor quality. Video submission judging will not be accepted for other types of media entries other than Photography + Video.


Please proofread your application; submitted information will be used for paperwork and label copy should you be accepted. There are very limited capabilities for edits after acceptance.

• Values should represent the sale value or, if not for sale, the insurance value.
• Dimensions should represent the full and complete dimensions of the artwork, including frame. Note: if artwork is not yet framed and you intend to do so, add an additional 3 inches per side to estimate the final artwork dimensions more closely.

Media* files used for the application must comply with CaFE specifications:


• Image: Only JPEG or JPG. 1200 pixels or greater on the longest side. Either landscape or portrait formats are acceptable. The file size may not exceed 5MB.

• Audio: Only AIFF, WAV, XMF or MP3 up to 10MB with a minimum bit rate of 96 kpbs and a maximum of 320 kbps.

• Video: Only MOV, MP4, WMV, 3GP, AVI, ASF, MPG, M2T, MKV or M2TS up to 100MB with a minimum resolution of 640 x 480 and a maximum of 1920 x 1080; minimum 12 fps, but 30 fps

 is recommended.

*Note: At the present time, linked media from YouTube, Vimeo, etc. is not accepted. Any audio/videos should be uploaded as files.

Apply now

Application fees have been waived for the 2022 Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition.

General and Teen Category: October 24, 2021

Artists will be notified via email whether or not the jury selected their submissions. Please make sure your contact information is accurate. Accepted Works Instructions and a loan agreement will be sent along with your notification of acceptance into the Juried Art Exhibition.

All accepted works for the Juried Art Exhibition must be ready for professional installation and presentation in accordance with the Accepted Works Instructions. Wall-mounted pieces must have adequate framing and quality hanging hardware. 3D works must be stable and able to ‘stand’ on their own. If the artist requires specific equipment (AV or specific hardware) for installation, the artist must provide said equipment and it must be of quality to last for the run of the exhibition. Any artwork that is not ready for immediate installation will not be included in the Exhibition.

Participating accepted artists are responsible for delivery and pickup of their works on the dates specified in the schedule below. All shipped works must be packed in sturdy, reusable container(s) and include clear instructions for packing, shipping and installation. MSI is not liable or responsible for any damage to work(s) that occurs during packing, unpacking or repacking of works or for any damage that occurs during shipment or transit of the work. MSI reserves the right to refuse any work delivered in inadequate packaging or received in damaged condition. Please take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of your work.

By submitting a work for inclusion in the Juried Art Exhibition, the artist agrees that the Museum is permitted to use, edit, reproduce, publish, transmit and display images or footage of the artist’s work(s), including those submitted by the artist as part of their entry, in films, video, signage, mailing, programs, online image gallery and other forms of media (including social media) for the promotion and display of the 2022 Juried Art Exhibition, and other purposes as the Museum may determine, including promotion and fundraising for the Museum. The Museum will not be responsible for the unauthorized use of the images or footage by third parties.

All sales inquiries will be forwarded directly to the artist. No commission will be taken from sales. Work does not have to be for sale to be exhibited in the Juried Art Exhibition, but cannot have already been sold to a third party. If an accepted work is sold prior to the Exhibition opening or during the Exhibition, the artist must notify MSI as soon as possible.

• MSI reserves the right to disqualify entries that, upon receipt, differ markedly from submitted images or are not ready for professional installation and presentation.
• All works must remain in the Juried Art Exhibition for the duration of the Exhibition. MSI is not responsible for any works left after the scheduled pick-up date. No accommodations will be made for early pick-up or shipping, and artists must take these into consideration prior to entering their work.
• MSI will not be responsible for minor wear and tear resulting from normal handling.
• Submission of your entry will be understood to indicate your agreement with these terms and conditions. Accepted artists will be required to sign a Loan Agreement agreeing to these terms.

• Submissions close: Sunday, October 24, 2021 (11:59 p.m. CST)
• Notice of acceptance: Early November
• Loan agreement due: December 3, 2021
• Shipping window (non-Chicagoland artists): December 1 – December 15, 2021
• Local drop-off dates: December 17-19, 2021. Note: Timed arrivals only; sign up will be released in early December.
• Exhibition opens: January 17, 2022
• Exhibition closes: April 17, 2022
• Local pickup dates: April 22-23, 2022
• Return shipping window: On/after April 25, 2022

For technical support with the online submission application, visit CaFE's Help for Artists page or contact CaFE support via cafe@westaf.org or 303-629-1166.

For all other questions contact Tiffany Malone, Arts + Creativity Manager, at juriedart@msichicago.org.

Submit an application