Of Mark & Meaning: American Women Artists

About the Open Call

American Women Artists (AWA) is pleased to announce its tenth museum exhibition, 'Of Mark & Meaning: American Women Artists,' as part of the '25 in 25' campaign, an initiative to secure 25 museum exhibitions for its members over 25 years. This initiative aims to increase the historically low representation of women artists in museums and permanent collections. The exhibition will be held at the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center in Clarksville, TN, from February 13, 2026, to April 26, 2026. AWA is dedicated to the inspiration, celebration, and encouragement of women in the visual Fine Arts, offering financial support and recognizing mastery in the field. A $10,000 Grand Prize Cash Award will be given, along with approximately $20,000 in other cash and merchandise awards. Selected final works will be featured in the 3-month museum exhibition, on AWA’s website, in monthly e-newsletters, and promoted through AWA’s advertising and social media channels. The exhibition title celebrates the human drive to make a mark, whether literally through art or figuratively through legacy. Jurors for the 2026 AWA National Juried Museum Exhibition include Vivian Chiu, Marcia Goldenstein, and Kirsten Kokkin.

What is Offered

A $10,000 Grand Prize Cash Award and approximately $20,000 in other cash and merchandise awards will be distributed. Final works will be exhibited in a 3-month museum show, featured on AWA's website, in e-newsletters, and promoted through advertising and social media. Accepted artists will receive 55% of the sales price for 2D works and 60% for 3D works. Artists accepted into the exhibition must contribute $100 towards the show catalogue and will receive 3 print copies.

Requirements

Open to women artists at least 18 years of age, who are residents of either the United States or Canada. Applicants and finalists must be current members of American Women Artists. Works must be original, completed within the last two years for 2D or five years for 3D, and not previously accepted for an AWA national juried museum competition or online show. Maximum size for 2D works is 40 inches on the longest side unframed, and for sculpture, height up to 8 ft including base, with a weight limit of 200 lbs. Acceptable mediums include drawing, painting (oil, acrylic, water media, pastel, egg tempera, encaustic, mixed media, batik), sculpture (cast metal, fabricated metal, stone, glass, wood, fired permanent mediums like ceramics, stoneware, porcelain), and original hand-pulled prints. Non-acceptable mediums include craft, jewelry, fiber, fabric, photography, video, digital prints, or any computer-generated elements. A maximum of six entries is allowed, with a maximum of one accepted piece per artist for exhibition. All accepted works must be framed/wired for hanging (2D) or ready to place (3D).

How to Apply

To enter, visit https://showsubmit.com/show/awa-of-mark-meaning-american-women-artists. Applicants and finalists must be current members of American Women Artists. Submissions should be made via ShowSubmit, adhering to detailed image specifications and entry guidelines. Applications open Friday, August 22, 2025, and close Friday, October 17, 2025.