America at 250

Now Open for Entry

Deadline to Enter is April 29, 2026

Please click the button above to enter this show on ArtCall.org. You will need to create a free account to enter your work.

We are using a new entry platform, that uses different terminology than you might be used to seeing. In ArtCall:

• You will be asked to pay for the number of artworks you’ll be uploading in advance. You can add more later.

• The word “application” means artwork, so one application is one work of art.

• “Attachments” means images of the artwork, you can upload up to 2 images. You do not need to pay extra for attachments.

For first time users, we recommend the following resources:

• The video tutorial linked on the call for entry page.
• Our blog post that walks you through the entry process step-by-step.
• Our FAQ section.

Introducing America at 250

For two and a half centuries, the United States has been shaped by a dynamic tapestry of innovation, resilience, and cultural exchange. America at 250 invites artists to honor this rich legacy by exploring the nation’s diverse narratives, pivotal moments, and enduring spirit. This exhibition seeks works that capture the essence of American history and identity, encouraging creative interpretations that pay tribute to 250 years of progress, struggle, and triumph.

We are looking for artists who are eager to break away from conventional depictions of historical motifs and create bold, evocative pieces that highlight the multifaceted story of the United States. Whether through abstracted imagery, mixed media installations, contemporary twists on national symbols, or inventive use of color and form, we invite you to celebrate the legacy of America’s past while illuminating the possibilities for its future. Let your work pay homage to the founding ideals, cultural evolutions, and personal experiences that collectively weave into the nation’s narrative.

MFA exhibitions are blindly juried by professional and credentialed art experts. Maryland Federation of Art (MFA) invites all artists residing in any of the states or territories of the US, Canada, or Mexico to enter. Any original 2D and 3D artwork in any media will be considered. Works selected by the juror will be exhibited in Circle Gallery from June 25 – July 25. Exhibition Chair: Patrice Drago.

Click this icon to view and print the downloadable prospectus.

Juror: Lisa Lipinski, Art Historian

Lisa Lipinski is art historian and specialist in the fields of modern and contemporary art. She teaches courses in the history and theory of photography, 19th and 20th-century art in Latin America, the United States, and Europe, and Art Historiography. She has taught seminars on the history of exhibitions, the art of Marcel Duchamp and the Harlem Renaissance. Her education research is focused on pedagogy and assessment in higher education, and developing students’ skills in research and writing.

She has worked in major art museums: the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Phillips Collection and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. She provides regular guest lectures on art and diplomacy for the Foreign Service Institute, U.S. Department of State. Dr. Lipinski is also a licensed D.C. tour guide and a member of the Guild of Professional Tour Guides, Washington, D.C. She is currently working on a book titled: Made in America: American Art and American Identity at the Corcoran Gallery of Art.

Terms of Entry

• Entry is open to artists residing in any of the states or territories of the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
• Entering this exhibition indicates understanding and agreement on the part of the artist with the conditions stated herein and with (a) MFA’s approved Statement of Equality and Diversity and (b) MFA’s General Guidelines. Work must meet exhibition guidelines to be included in the event. MFA may determine work ineligible if entry guidelines are not followed. Work delivered must correspond with the image(s) submitted to the juror.
• Images of accepted works may be used at the sole discretion of MFA for promotional purposes including, but not limited to: the invitation, catalog, website, or social media. Images will include attribution wherever possible.
• Work cannot be withdrawn before the end of the event.

Liability

•  All work is blind juried. Artists’ name and identifying information is hidden from the juror. Watermarks are discouraged to ensure blind jurying.
• All work will be handled with all possible care, but pieces submitted for exhibition are at the artist’s risk. In the event of damage or theft, the MFA will not be held liable. If insurance is desired, the artist must carry it.

Awards

• Awards designated by the juror total $1,000.

Entry Requirements

• All work must be uploaded through artcall.org. File size may be no more than 10 MB. Images for the juror must correspond with the actual work. MFA does not display watermarks; artists display at their own risk.
• For video submissions: you must put the link to the video in the Linked Web Resource field, and then upload a still frame from the video. For accepted video submissions, the artist will be expected to deliver the file to MFA on a thumbdrive.
• All entries must be original and completed solely by the artist’s hand. A maximum of 6 original works created within the past 3 years may be entered. If artwork is part of a limited edition, please state total number in the edition. Work previously exhibited at MFA Circle Gallery is not eligible for re-entry.
• Maximum size of work, including edges of artwork or frame, cannot exceed 72” in any direction. Artists may be asked to assist with the installation of oversized work (greater than 60” or over 40 lbs).

Entry Fee

• 1 or 2 entries $45 (MFA Members $30). Up to 4 additional entries $6.75 each (MFA Members $4.50). Entry fees are non-refundable.

Sales

• Artists will retain 70% from sales (75% for MFA Members). MFA will retain 30% commission (25% for MFA Members) on any work sold through MFA.
• Work must be for sale. Work may be set to Price on Request (POR).

Exhibition Schedule:

• Feb 24 Online Entry Opens for Submissions
• Apr 29 Entry Deadline
• May 28 Notification @ 5 PM
• Jun 17 – 21 Accepted and Shipped Work Must Arrive at MFA Circle Gallery from 12 – 4 PM
• Jun 25 Exhibition Opens
• Jun 28 Virtual Awards Ceremony from 5:30 – 6:30 PM via Zoom
• July 25 Last Day of the Exhibition and Closing Reception at MFA Circle Gallery from 4 – 6 PM
• July 26 – 27 Pick-up Hand-Delivered Work from 11 AM – 4 PM
• July 30 Shipped Work Will Be Sent

NOTE: Should Circle Gallery or any other exhibition space be closed for reasons beyond our control, MFA reserves the right to move a planned physical exhibit to our online gallery.