Call to Artists

In Depth: Life in Photographs 

Dates: September 15–November 5, 2023

The Mosesian Center for the Arts invites artists to submit photographs or photo-based work and projects that are inspired by the depth and complexities of being human. From formal portraits to snapshots of daily life to photographs of humans at work or performing on stage or just being. Photography, from its early beginnings, has captured fascinating glimpses of humanity. Documentary photography, portraiture, work that details humans’ interactions with the environment and work that captures life and its many aspects from joy to sorrow to isolation and friendships are all welcome.

Artists can submit photographic work done digitally or using film as well as alternative photographic methods such as cyanotype, Van Dyke Brown, or other photo-based works.

About Mosesian Arts:
The Mosesian Center for the Arts is a multidisciplinary arts venue in Watertown, Massachusetts. The 30,000 square foot center, located within a former U.S. Army arsenal, houses a 339-seat main stage theater, a 100-seat black box theater, exhibition galleries, classrooms, and rehearsal studios. Mosesian Arts is located six miles from downtown Boston, borders the Charles River and Brighton, and is easily accessible from surrounding suburbs and Metro West. Programs include professional theater and musical performances, gallery exhibitions, literary and art discussions, and performing and visual arts classes and workshops for all ages.

Important Dates:
Submission Deadline: August 7, 2023
Announcing Selected Artists: August 18, 2023
Drop off Dates:  Thursday, September 7, 10:30 AM-4:00 PM and Saturday, September 9, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM 
*Shipped work must be received no later than September 7
Exhibition Opens: September 15
Opening Reception: Thursday, September 21, 5:30-7:30 PM
Exhibition Closes: November 5
Artwork Pick Up: Saturday, November 11, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM and Thursday, November 9, 10:30 AM-4:00 PM
Please note that the Mosesian Center for the Arts reserves the right to make minor adjustments to the exhibition timeline. Artists will be notified of final dates in their acceptance letters. 

Eligibility:
All artists regardless of location are welcome to apply, including international artists. Local artists may drop their work off on Saturday, September 9 from 10:00 AM–12:00 PM and Thursday, September 7, 10:30 AM–4:00 PM. Non-local artists work must be received at the Mosesian Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA 02472 c/o Exhibitions by September 7, 2023. Non-local artists are responsible for shipping costs both to and from MCA and are responsible for insuring their work while in transit. If shipping work, each artist must provide a pre-paid, UPS or FedEx return shipping label including insurance. Please pack your work in sturdy reusable packaging. The Mosesian Center for the Arts carries appropriate insurance to cover all artwork in the show for the duration of the exhibition, including the time frame of dropoff, installation, deinstallation, and pickup.

Additional guidelines: 

• Participants may only submit original work that has been completed within the last five years.
• Any work accepted for exhibition may not be removed or exchanged during the duration of the exhibit.
• Work must be framed and ready to hang with wires and screws. Saw tooth hangers and sandwich frames may not be used.
• Works on paper and smearable mediums such as charcoal and pastels must be protected under glass or acrylic.
• For framed artwork larger than 24” on the longest side, glass may not be used. Instead, artists must use Plexiglas or comparable acrylic glass.
• Mats must be white, off white, gray, or other neutral tones. Frames should be neutral colors (white, black, silver, gold, wood).
• Unframed stretched canvases must have the sides painted or otherwise finished to be integral to the work and must be dry.

Submission Fee:
$10 per submission. Limit 5 submissions per artist. Artwork must be submitted online here at: https://mca-lifeinphotographs.artcall.org To submit work, click the register or login buttons at the top of this page. There's an Application Process Tutorial if you'd like more info on the submission process.

Commission Structure:
Artists receive 60% commission, and the Mosesian Center for the Arts receives 40% for art sold during the exhibition. The Artist reserves all copyrights and reproduction rights on the artwork in the exhibition. Mosesian Center for the Arts may duplicate and reproduce images of work for purposes of public relations and exhibition announcements directly related to the exhibition.

The Mosesian Center for the Arts is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Learn more: www.mosesianarts.org