In celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), we invite North Carolina artists with disabilities to submit work for an upcoming exhibition in the Arts Access Gallery that celebrates this landmark legislation and showcases the power of disability pride, identity, and creative expression. This exhibit will highlight the voices and visions of disabled artists across the state, celebrating the ADA and the transformative role of art in shaping a more inclusive world.
The exhibition will be on view July 15 through September 19, 2025. A reception to celebrate the artists and the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act will be held on Saturday, July 26, 2024 from 2 pm – 4pm at Arts Access Gallery located at 444 S. Blount St. Suite 115B, Raleigh, NC 27601.
Eligibility:
This exhibition is open to North Carolina artists who identify as having a disability and are at least 18 years of age. Works from both established and emerging artists are welcomed.
All entries must be original works of art, wired and ready to hang. Only one entry is allowed per artist. All work will be juried with the submitted digital image of the artwork.
Up to 10 artists’ work will be selected.
The submission deadline is June 9, 2025.
Media Accepted:
- Acrylic, Digital Art, Drawing, Fine Crafts, Mixed Media, Oil, Pastel, Photography, Printmaking, Textiles, 3D work and Watercolor.
- Digital image submissions must be high resolution (300 ppi or higher).
- All 2D works must be framed and ready to hang with screw eyes or D-rings and wire. No sawtooth hangers accepted.
- Metal frames must have hardware that screws securely in the track.
- Plexiglass or glass-covered drawings, prints, photographs, and watercolors are acceptable.
- Gallery wrapped canvas must be stapled on the back. Gessoed or painted sides are acceptable.
Media not accepted:
Videos, installations, sculpture, reproductions of original work, and Giclee prints. Frameless glass or plexiglass, frames with tension, or saw-tooth hangers cannot be accepted. No wet paintings.
Submission Guidelines:
Submissions open May 13, 2025.
Submission deadline is June 9, 2025.
Digital submissions only:
You may enter one work of art in JPEG (.jpg) format. The image should include the submission and mat, frame, and background if any. One image per work.
Note: If your work is highly textured, or contains mixed media elements, you may supply one additional close-up image.
Online Application:
The form will ask you to:
- Enter your personal contact information
- Upload one entry image of your art in JPEG format OR submit a link for web-based submissions. One additional closeup image is encouraged if the work is highly textured or contains mixed-media elements
- Provide details about your entry and how it connects to the theme
About the Arts Access Gallery
Arts Access Gallery is a public facility which caters to families and people of all ages and abilities. Items to be excluded include, but are not limited to nudity, obscene language, or messages that may be offensive to certain groups of people.
General Guidelines
Regarding religious content, Arts Access North Carolina has a non-religious symbol policy for its exhibitions. Religious symbols are defined as images, symbols and depictions of any kind that promote or imply a particular religious group or world religion. Arts Access NC staff and the Executive Committee of Arts Access NC will decide if artwork does not adhere to the policy.
All submitted work is subject to review. Submission of your entry constitutes your agreement with all the terms of this Call for Art.
Submission of your entry acknowledges the right of Arts Access NC to reproduce artwork for marketing purposes. Arts Access NC reserves the right to decline a submission for any reason or to remove a selected work for any reason.
Questions? Need help with your submission? Need support addressing any barriers to submitting your work? Contact Makayla@artsaccessinc.org
Sales:
Artists are not required to sell their work, but are welcome to do so.
Sales shall be handled through Arts Access NC. Arts Access NC will take a 25% commission on the sale of any artwork that is sold from the exhibition or as a direct result of the exhibition. Arts Access NC will make payment the final day of the month following the receipt of payment from the purchaser.
Insurance
Arts Access NC carries insurance to cover loss or damage to art on loan for public display at Arts Access Gallery, up to $75,000 with a limit of $10,000 per item. Full coverage will be provided in case of loss or damage provided the item was listed on the show inventory. Each artist of work selected for exhibition will provide the title, owner, and price (or insurance value if NFS). Insurance does not cover work during transport by lender, early delivery, late removal, or works not properly listed on the show inventory sheet. Arts Access NC is not responsible for damages if a piece falls due to improper framing or hanging.
Important Dates:
- Submission period: May 13 through June 9, 2025
- Notification of acceptance: Week of June 16, 2025
- Receiving of accepted works at Arts Access Gallery: Week of July 7, 2025
- Pickup of unsold works: Week of September 22, 2025
Artists bear responsibility for pickup during the time period stated above. Work left beyond the last date is no longer the responsibility of Arts Access NC, and after 60 days becomes the property of the Arts Access NC.
Exhibition Event Dates:
A Celebration of the ADA: On view July 15 – September 19, 2025
ADA Celebration & Artist Reception: Saturday, July 26, 2025 2 pm – 4pm
Contact:
Makayla Haag
Gallery Manager
919-833-9919 ext. 2