2026 Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition

Submissions are open for the 2026 Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition at Chicago's 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, as part of the Museum's 56th annual Black Creativity Program.

Eligibility: General Category—Black artists 18 years of age or older ($10 entry fee). 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 (no fee). Contemporary works created in any visual medium are welcome. Up to four works completed in the past three years (2023 or later) may be submitted per artist. Work must be original, unsold, and not previously selected for any Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition. Collaborations may not include more than two artists. 2D work may not exceed 84" in any direction. 3D works in the General Category will be reviewed per work based on the Museum's capabilities; Teen Category 3D works may not exceed 30" in any direction. All work may not exceed 70 lbs. Videos must be ADA compliant; monitors are provided by the Museum.

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 receive two complimentary tickets to the 2026 Black Creativity Gala. Jurors are Akilah Halley, Executive Director of Marwen, and Norman Teague, Owner of Norman Teague Design Studio and professor. Exhibition runs January 19–April 19, 2026. Application deadline: October 12, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. MDT. Acceptance notifications will be sent by October 31, 2025. For questions, contact [email protected].