This call for art is an opportunity for survivors of childhood sexual abuse, 18 years of age or older to have a safe space to be able to express themselves and their experiences through art.
Child sexual abuse is not rare. It is an epidemic in America. Retrospective research indicates that as many as 1 out of 4 girls and 1 out of 6 boys will experience some form of sexual abuse before the age of 18. However, because child sexual abuse is by its very nature secretive, many of these cases are never reported.
Work Media: photographs, paintings, sculpture, mixed media, drawings. No digital media will be accepted.
Work Size: No larger than 16” x 20” framed or unframed. Three-dimensional work must be able to sit firmly on a flat surface. If your three-dimensional work needs a particular base, You must provide it.
Entry Requirements:
1. One digital image of two-dimensional work. Up to three digital images of three-dimensional artwork so all sides can be seen. Images should be presented in JPEG format with image size set to 300 dpi resolution, 4″ x 6″ image size, approximately.
If the artwork is framed, please remove glass before taking photographs.
2. Artist statement- no more than 500 words.
3. Each artist may submit up to 3 different pieces of art.
Entries Due: All submissions must be received by Friday, February 27, 2026, at 8pm.
Notification to artist: Artists will be notified of acceptance on Friday, March 13, 2026, by email.
Accepted Artwork: Artwork must be dropped off at the Art Center of Rochester on March 21 & 22, 2026, noon through 2pm. Artists will be notified of the time frames to drop off art.
Opening Reception: Friday, April 3, 2026, 6-9pm
Exhibit Ends: Thursday, April 30, 2026
Pickup Artwork by: All artwork must be picked up at the Art Center of Rochester on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at a time to be announced. We have no place to store any artwork. Any artwork not picked up by April 30, 2026, will be disposed of at the will of the committee unless other arrangements have been made.
Contact: info@survivorsartproject.org
The submissions chosen will be hung in the gallery. If the work isn’t framed, you will be required to provide whatever is needed to safely hang your artwork. The work must be gallery-ready.
We honor and respect the vulnerability, lived experience, and creative labor that artists bring to their work. Our goal is to create an exhibition that is welcoming, affirming, and aligned with the purpose and values of this show. While we strive to be inclusive, submission of artwork does not guarantee inclusion in the exhibition.
Selections will be made with care and intention, considering how each piece contributes to the overall goals, theme, and emotional safety of the exhibit space. Decisions are guided by these considerations rather than judgments of artistic merit or personal experience. All selection decisions are final.
SUBMISSION FORM
1 art piece per entry