2026 North American Print Biennial

About the Open Call

The 2026 North American Print Biennial, presented by The Boston Printmakers, is recognized as one of the most prestigious events in printmaking, established in 1947. Its mission is to promote public knowledge, encourage artists, and foster excellence and innovation in printmaking. The juror for this biennial is Esther Adler, Curator in the Department of Drawings and Prints at The Museum of Modern Art, New York. The exhibition will be held at the 808 Gallery, Boston University, located at 808 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, Massachusetts. Exhibition dates are September 8 – November 21, 2026. Key dates include application opening on July 15, 2025, applications closing on February 15, 2026, and notifications emailed by April 1, 2026. Public Reception and Juror’s Talk on Saturday, September 19, 2026.

What is Offered

$10,000 in juror-designated purchase prizes and materials awards. Purchase prizes are placed into permanent collections at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; the Art Complex Museum, Duxbury, MA; Boston Athenaeum; and the Boston Printmakers Collection at the Boston Public Library. This show also generates a large number of sales through patron and public purchases.

Requirements

North American artists 18 years and older are eligible to enter. Original, innovative works in all printmaking media are eligible; photographs, offset reproductions, or reproductions of artwork originally produced in another medium will not be considered. Submitted work may not have been exhibited in any other Boston Printmakers exhibition. Artists may submit up to three digital images of original prints completed within the time frame of 2023-2026. All delivered work must match the juried image. Work must be framed in simple black metal or black wooden frames (max ½” thick on the front edge) with Plexiglas, and a standard white or off-white window mat (minimum 3 inches wide). Prints must be securely mounted to the backing board, and frames must be ready to hang with wire or D-rings. Alternative presentation methods may be requested and must be fully described in the entry. Shipped work must be sent in sturdy, re-usable packaging, pre-paid via UPS, and include a UPS pre-paid return-shipping label with insurance. Artists from outside the U.S. unable to provide a return UPS label will be billed for return shipping. A 35% commission will be charged on all sales. Artists must insure their work while in transit to and from the exhibition. Works not protected by a suitable frame are not covered by Boston University’s insurance.

How to Apply

All entries must be submitted online at www.callforentry.org. Review all entry information carefully before submitting; no changes can be made once submitted. Upload requirements for image files: JPEG only, no smaller than 1920 pixels on the longer side, 72 ppi/dpi resolution, 5 MB maximum file size. The non-refundable entry fee ($50 USD for non-members, $35 USD for members with a coupon code) entitles the artist to submit up to 3 works, payable by credit card at www.callforentry.org. Direct application link: https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=15866