Open Call for Art on the Audubon Terrace 2026

The Hispanic Society Museum & Library and the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance (NoMAA) are pleased to request submissions for an original outdoor art installation to be exhibited in the public plaza on Audubon Terrace outside the Hispanic Society (Broadway between 155th and 156th streets). Local artists are invited to submit a work that is either newly created or has never been exhibited in NYC which will be on view during summer 2026.

Home to a world-class art museum and library, the Hispanic Society is committed to expanding the discourse surrounding the art and culture of Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries. For nearly 20 years, the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance has worked to cultivate, support, and promote the work of emerging and established artists and arts organizations in upper Manhattan. This is the fourth year the Hispanic Society and NoMAA have partnered to bring an exciting new work of art to the upper Manhattan community.

Submission Deadline: MARCH 31, 2026 at 11:59PM EST

INFO SESSION March 17, 7pm RSVP HERE

Requirements/Eligibility:

1.       Applicants must live or work in Upper Manhattan, between West 135th St. and West 155th St. from St. Nicholas/Edgecombe Ave on the west to the Hudson River, OR between West 155th St. and West 220th St., river-to-river, to be considered.

2.       All interested applicants are invited to attend an information session to be held via Zoom on March 17 at 7pm. RSVP required.

3.       Applicants must be familiar with the Hispanic Society Museum & Library and its collection (preferably through an on-site visit) before submitting a proposal.

4.       The work will be installed on the pavers in front of the East Building of the Hispanic Society Museum & Library and/or the gates of Audubon Terrace. Work should not exceed a 10 x 15-foot area (150 square feet) nor a height of 10 feet.

5.       The work must be able to resist winds at 70 miles per hour without being anchored to pavers or walls. The artist must adhere to alterations suggested by the Hispanic Society Museum & Library engineering evaluation to safeguard the public, the property, and the artwork itself.

6.       The work must not include:

• Live plants or animals
• Consumable items
• Removable components – All components of the work must be securely attached
• Temporary structures (tents, tarps, etc.)

7.       The work must arrive ready for assembly and installation. All preparatory work (cutting, sanding, painting, etc.) must be completed prior to the installation period.

8.       Installation plans will need to comply with NYC DOB code and will require staff-level Landmark approval, which may take up to 30-60 days. The accepted work will be featured on the Audubon Terrace for a period of approximately 10-12 weeks as well as online via the Hispanic Society and NoMAA websites.

9.       Artists will also be required to participate in a public presentation/artist talk, at a time to be determined.

How To Apply:

Please submit the following information by MARCH 31, 2026 at 11:59PM EST

1.       Artist Statement (250 words max).

2.       Artist CV noting past exhibitions.

3.       Brief statement explaining why your project is important to you and how exhibiting it on Audubon Terrace will support the impact you expect to have through this public work of art (250 words max).

4.       Discuss the value of your project as a public work (250 words max).

5.       Please provide up to six (6) images (sketches, plans, designs, maquettes) of your proposed project and the following information about the work:

• Title
• Medium
• Dimensions (height x width x depth)
• Approximate weight
• Installation method
• Detailed explanation of how the work will be self-supporting without anchors or tethers

6. Provide brief descriptions of similar past outdoor projects you’ve presented and their outcomes. Hyperlinks may be included to augment your narrative (250 words max.).

7.       Please provide 2 to 3 images of past projects. For each image, please include the following information: title, year, medium, dimension (height, width, depth, weight), and a brief description (one to two sentences).

8.       Contact information for one (1) to three (3) references who can attest to your past project successes.

Compensation:

Artist(s) whose installation is selected for the exhibition will receive an honorarium of $10,000. The artist is responsible for all costs associated with the production of the work (materials, labor, engineering, etc.) as well as delivery to and pickup from the Hispanic Society. Artist is responsible for installation and must bring their own installation team, who will be supervised by Hispanic Society staff.

If you have any questions, please email education@hispanicsociety.org