Vision and Process: Art Inspired by Science > Register & Apply

Call to Artists

Vision and Process: Art Inspired by Science

Dates: November 15, 2024–January 3, 2025

Artists and scientists are alike in many ways. Both are known for their creativity, careful observation of the world around them and determination. Both the artist and the scientist spend a long time in pursuit of their calling. They research, enjoy the process and learn to navigate the long road from the initial idea to the outcome. To quote Ray Bradbury: “Science is no more than an investigation of a miracle we can never explain, and art is an interpretation of that miracle.”

Leonardo da Vinci made important scientific discoveries in anatomy, engineering and physics and successfully employed them in his artistic creations. Contemporary artists such as Mandy Barker whose work focuses on the environment and how it is impacted by plastic pollution in only one of countless artists who are exploring scientific ideas or are inspired by science.

The Mosesian Center for the Arts invites artists to submit work inspired by science from biology, engineering, chemistry, astronomy, botany, geology to any other scientific field. Work in any 2D and 3D media including video and installation will be considered.

Important Dates:
Submission Deadline: September 23
Announcing Selected Artists: Between September 30 and October 4
Artwork Dropoff: Saturday, November 2, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM / Tuesday, November 5, 10:30 AM–3:00 PM
*Shipped work must be received no later than November 7
Exhibition Opens: November 15
Opening Reception: Thursday, November 21, 5:30–7:30 PM
Exhibition Closes: January 3, 2025
Artwork Pickup: Saturday, January 4, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM and Tuesday, January 7, 10:30 AM–3:00 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. 

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.

Eligibility:

Artists located in the U.S.A are welcomed to apply. Local artists will be provided with drop-off times and date details upon acceptance. Non-local selected artists’ work must be received at the Mosesian Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA 02472 c/o exhibitions by November 7, 2024. Non-local artists are responsible for shipping costs both to and from the MCA, unless other arrangements are made, and are responsible for insuring their work while in transit. If shipping works, 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 drop-off, installation, de-installation and pick-up.

Additional guidelines: 

  • Any work accepted for exhibition may not be removed or exchanged during the duration of the exhibition.
  • 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.
  • If used, mats must be white, off white, gray, or other neutral tones. Frames should be neutral colors (white, black, silver, wood).
  • Unframed stretched canvases must have the sides painted or otherwise finished to be integral to the work and must be dry.

Submission Fee:
$15 per submission. Limit 5 submissions per artist. Artwork must be submitted online here at: https://mca-artinspiredbyscien... 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.

Featured image: Boriana Kantcheva, Cells