VSA Emerging Young Artists Program: The Journey

VSA Emerging Young Artists Program: The Journey is a juried competition and national touring exhibition of work by emerging young visual artists with disabilities, ages 16-25. The call is open to artists ages 16–25 living in the United States who have a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Previous award recipients are not eligible to apply.

Artists are invited to submit original work completed within the last three years and after the onset of disability that reflects on the theme "The Journey"—internal and external, personal and communal, human and technological. Submissions may illustrate thematic ideas through broad, abstracted references or detailed personal creations, and may reflect the artist's experience of living with a disability and its role in shaping or transforming their art. Eligible media include paintings and drawings, fine art prints, photography, computer-generated prints, digital art, and time-based media. Two-dimensional artwork should not exceed 60 inches in either dimension; sculpture should not exceed 24 inches in any dimension. Fragile or precious materials that cannot withstand handling, storage, and transportation will not be accepted.

15 artists will be selected to travel to Washington, D.C. for professional development workshops and a reception on Capitol Hill. Selected work will tour nationally. Awards include a $20,000 grand prize, $10,000 for first place, $6,000 for second place, and 12 awards of excellence at $2,000 each, with support from Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. A panel of distinguished practicing artists, curators, and arts administrators will review submissions based on demonstration of original ideas, connection to exhibition theme, and visual cohesion among submitted images. All decisions are final.

Submissions must be made in digital format through CaFE at callforentry.org and include 4 digital images of artwork, caption information for each image, a one-paragraph artist biography, a personal statement (2 pages maximum) addressing how the artwork relates to the theme and the role of art in living with disability, and a digital headshot. Film and video artists must supplement their application by mailing a CD or DVD of their full-length work to Kennedy Center, PO Box 101510, Arlington, VA 22210, Attn: VSA / VW call for art. All supplemental materials must arrive by June 30, 2014.