Call for Artists 2025
Submissions are now open for the 2025 Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition at Chicago’s Griffin Museum of Science and Industry (Museum). This annual show presents 100 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 55th annual Black Creativity Program.

We welcome you to submit your work!

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
Amina Dickerson; President, Dickerson Global Advisors
Thomas Lucas; Founder, Hummingbird Press Editions; Chair, Department of Art and Design, and Curator, University Galleries, Chicago State University
Asha Iman Veal; Associate Curator, Museum of Contemporary Photography; Associate Professor, School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Fee (non-refundable)
General Category (over 18): $10
Teen Category (under 18): none

Awards
General Category                                  Teen Category
Best in Show:  $4,000                               Best in Show:   $600
Second Place: $2,750                               Second Place:  $375
Third Place:     $1,500                               Third Place:      $250

General Category award winners will also receive two complimentary tickets to the 2025 Black Creativity Gala held at the Museum.

Application Requirements

Submission Specifications
1. Work must have been completed in the past three years (2022 or later).
2. Work must be submitted anonymously by the artist.
a. Artists must submit for themselves with technical/additional support as needed. Teens may receive assistance from teachers/caregivers as needed.
b. Collaborations should include no more than two artists. (For either General or Teen Category)
c. Remove watermarks, video credits, etc. prior to submission.
d. Artist statements are accepted but not required at time of submission. Artist’s name should not be included.
3. Work must be original, unsold, and not have been selected for any previous Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibitions.
4. Object specs:
a. 2D hard sided works (stretched canvas/framed) may not exceed 96” in any direction.
b. 2D soft works (unframed textile) may not exceed 104” in any direction.
c. 3D, oversized/heavy, and/or installation works will be reviewed per work, based on the Museum’s gallery, safety, and physical installation capabilities. The Museum is not able to install works which hang from the ceiling.
d. Work may not exceed 70 lbs.
e. Monitors are provided for video works. The Museum is not able to install projected works. Videos must be ADA compliant (additional details, upon request).

Application Deadline
October 13, 2024 (full exhibition schedule below)