CALL FOR ARTISTS | Pathways 2026: The Carlos Malamud Prize

About the Open Call

The Rollins Museum of Art and the UCF Art Gallery invite submissions for Pathways 2026: The Carlos Malamud Prize. Pathways is a biennial, juried art competition and exhibition for emerging professional artists living in Florida. This edition will consist of a juried selection process resulting in a Summer 2026 group exhibition for the competition’s finalists. All exhibited artists will receive support and networking through a series of events and direct engagement with curators, museum and gallery professionals, faculty, and community to expand their connections in the art community. Participating artists will arrive at Pathways: The Carlos Malamud Prize from a variety of places within the state of Florida, with diverse professional experience, and have dynamic creative research and practice. The juried exhibitions will include up to 10 artists, each of whom will have 3-8 works on view at both locations. The opening events will be staggered over the exhibition period; each venue will hold events involving the participating artists (May 27th at the UCF Art Gallery and May 28th at the Rollins Museum of Art). Three jurors will evaluate all the entries and award the Pathways: The Carlos Malamud Prize at the opening reception at the Rollins Museum of Art on May 28, 2026 (exhibiting artists required to attend opening events). Exhibition on view: May 28 – August 30, 2026 (note venue days and hours of operation vary). Prize Announcement Event: May 28, 2026 at the Rollins Museum of Art.

What is Offered

A $10,000 cash prize, a solo exhibition at the UCF Art Gallery in 2027, commitment to be a juror for the following edition of the exhibition, a mentor for the next cohort of exhibiting artists, a consulting session with a financial advisor, support and networking through events and direct engagement with curators, museum and gallery professionals, faculty, and community. Finalists will receive a modest all-inclusive honorarium to support the cost for delivering/shipping artwork and attending the public events.

Requirements

Open to all emerging artists (age 18 or older) who are residents of Florida and NOT currently enrolled as an undergraduate student. An emerging artist is defined as one who has never had a solo exhibition in a gallery, arts center, or museum (solo BFA or MFA exhibitions at a college or university are acceptable). All work must be original, completed within the last two years, and not previously exhibited at any of the participating venues. Artworks are accepted without restriction of medium but must communicate visually, be ready to hang/install, and must fit through standard doorways. Artwork cannot include biohazard materials, water, fire, or animals (dead or alive). Exhibiting artists are required to attend opening events.

How to Apply

Eligible artists are invited to apply for Pathways: The Carlos Malamud Prize 2026 through Submittable by October 26, 2025 (11:59pm EST). Artists will submit application materials for juror review via Submittable. Required materials include: Artist Statement (max 500 words), Artist Bio (max 250 words), Current Curriculum Vitae or Résumé, Solo Exhibition Description (brief proposal including concept, theme, estimated number of artworks, and formats), and 20 artworks (upload images as .jpg files at least 1200 pixels and 300dpi resolution or video files as .mp4 or .mov. Include title, medium, dimensions/duration, and year completed for each work. Up to 5 uploads can be detail views. List any special equipment, tech, or installation requirements. If submitting a site-specific installation, include a schematic drawing).