FAQ
Who is eligible to apply?
Anyone who yearns to be seen and heard via creative expression is encouraged to apply irrespective of background, artistic experience, or age.
When is the deadline to apply and send in my submission?
Submissions are open through February 3, 2024 at 5 PM. “Early Bird” submissions are encouraged and are due Jan 20, 2024 and include a discounted submission entry.
What is the cost to apply and how many works may I submit?
The cost to apply is $20 for up to two works in the following categories, gallery (visual) or spoken word (performance) work. For students 18 and younger, the fee is on a sliding scale from $5 to $20.”Early Bird” submissions entered on or before 6 PM on January 20, 2024 have a discounted entry of $15 for up to two works. Students who enter on or before 6 PM on January 20 2024 are offered a sliding scale from $5 to $15.
When will I learn if I’ve been selected as a finalist?
The panel of jurors will select finalists and the decisions will be announced on or before February 10, 2024.
What are the submission requirements?
For visual art, all mediums are accepted but please note that there are space constraints and limitations for complex installations in the gallery. For 2-D art, please do not submit anything larger than 48”x48”x2”. For 3-D art, please do not submit anything that would not fit easily on a 12”x12” pedestal.
For spoken word, submissions should be sent via video (prefer a cloud-based platform like Youtube or Vimeo). Submissions may not exceed 8 minutes in length.
Submissions will be judged on artistic merit, creative expression and alignment with the theme (judged by the submission and artist’s statement).
How are the submissions juried? What happens if I am not selected as a finalist?
The submissions will be carefully evaluated by a panel of artists from varying backgrounds and the submissions will be judged on (1) artistic merit, (2) originality/creative expression, and (3) alignment with the theme of Seen&Heard (self-revelation and personal meaningfulness of artwork),. Due to time and space constraints, jurors may not be able to select everyone as a finalist; however, all applicants may opt to have their submissions displayed in the Seen&Heard website.
Are there any awards or prizes for the finalists?
The prize for the finalists is to be invited to have the work featured in a gallery exhibit (visual art) or to perform for a live audience (spoken word). For the visual artist finalists, there will also be an option to sell the winning artwork; Seen&Heard asks that 15% of the sales proceeds be donated to ACF for future Albany art initiatives.
How will viewers get to see the visual art and watch the spoken word performance?
Cass Ceramics will provide the gallery space from February 18 to March 16, 2024 and will be the venue host for the Gallery Art Reception and live Spoken Word Performance on March 9, 2024. Tickets will be available for purchase (TBA). Proceeds after expenses will be held by the ACF for future Albany art initiatives.
What are the important dates to note?
January 20, 2024: “Early Bird”discounted date for application and submissions
February 3, 2024: Deadline for application and submissions
February 10, 2024: Finalist notification
February 18- March 16, 2024: Gallery exhibit of visual art at Cass Ceramics
March 9, 2024: Gallery Art Reception and Spoken Word Performance