Open Call – America, the Beautiful?  

Curated by Niria Leyva-Gutiérrez & NoMAA 

NoMAA Gallery is at 176 St and Broadway, inside the United Palace. 
 
DEADLINE  
April 26, 2026 (11:59pm) 

July 4, 2026 marks a momentous birthday: the United States turns 250. The milestone invites urgent reflection. Where are we as a nation? Who are we as a people? What are we as an idea? This exhibition takes up those questions, asking artists to reckon with what this grand experiment has meant and continues to mean: its realities and possibilities, its beauty and its hard truths. 

We seek works that ask: Is America beautiful? Has it ever been? Can it ever be? Artists might explore themes of nostalgia, patriotism, the U.S.A.’s place in the world, and history; of values, ethics, work, and labor; of opportunity, diversity, and adversity; of landscape and technology, among others. 

Timeline: 
April 26, 2026 (11:59pm) – open call deadline  

April 30, 2026 – notification of accepted works 
May 8 – 14, 2026 – work drop off dates 

Eligibility: Open to artists working or residing in Inwood, Washington Heights or West Harlem 

Artwork eligibility: 

Visual artworks  Each artist can submit up to 3 works. Wall-hung works in all fine art media will be considered.

Please submit the following: 

• Up to three (3) jpg or png images
• Resume  
• A short description of your pieces and how they align with the exhibition theme 
• Label images as follows:  Last Name_First Name_Title_Media_Size_Year_Price.jpg  (e.g.: Smith_Maria_Woman in Blue_Acrylic on canvas_12x12in_2020_100.jpg)  
• Image size should be at least 1mb (at least 2500 pixels on shortest side) 
• Wall-hung work must be under 90” in length or height and under 25 lbs.  
• Sculptural works that are freestanding or displayed on a pedestal will be considered. 
• All accepted artworks must be delivered a professional manner, including matting and framing of works on paper. 
• Images digitally printed on stretched canvas will not be considered. 
• Unframed works must be cradled, stretched or appropriately mounted (excluding textile, 3-D or odd-shaped works, which must include hanging hardware.)  
• All works must have hanging wire attached to the back (2-4” below top edge of work). 
• All work must be labeled on the back with the artist’s name and title.  
• All artwork must be available for the duration of the exhibition.  
• Sales of artworks are not conducted by NoMAA. However, a price list will be available, and artists will be contacted directly by interested buyers. We suggest a donating 15% of the sale price to NoMAA.  
• Images of the artwork may be used by NoMAA for promotion of the exhibit (for non-commercial purposes only), including on NoMAA’s Google Arts and Culture page.  
• Artists will sign a loan agreement provided by NoMAA at the time of notification.  
• Artists are strongly encouraged to participate in an artist talk. (Date TBD) 
• NoMAA has up to $2,500 of insurance for each work. Any additional insurance required is the artist’s responsibility.