Community Arts Initiative: The Artist Project—Call to Artists

In an attempt to be more environmentally-friendly we now request that artists submit applications online through Submittable.

Submissions are reviewed by a panel composed of representatives from the MFA and participating community organizations.

The Artist works with the Manager of the Community Arts Initiative to schedule four to six visits, lasting approximately 2.5 hours, with each of the twelve organizations. Visits typically take place between the hours of 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm at the MFA and community centers during after school hours. The Artist must be available all of the week days that the MFA is open until 10:00 pm in order to accommodate group visits to the Museum. They may also choose to have some live, online classes with students, however a minimum of two sessions per organization must be held in person.

Application Deadline: January 19, 2024

Notification: March 15, 2024

Initial Planning Meetings: August 2024

Sessions Begin: October 2024

Sessions End: April 2025

Installation: April/May 2025

Artist Project Exhibition Opening: May 2025

Experienced artists with demonstrated ability to complete large-scale projects involving different elements, community partners, and groups of children.

Judges review applications for:

Engagement

The Lead Artist engages visitors and participants with the MFA's collection and uses a variety of media in innovative, creative, and exciting ways.

Creativity

The project draws from the MFA’s collections and reflects the Artist’s style.

Feasibility

The project can be completed within the time frame and materials budget provided.

Clarity

The Artist conveys a clear vision of how the final work of art will be exhibited within the gallery space.

Flexibility

The project allows for multiple participants and considers after-school variables such as children leaving a session early, arriving late, or only participating in one session.

Each year a different panel, typically composed of an MFA Curator, Art Educator, Artist, and a Community Art Director reviews applications and recommends three final candidates. The Lead Artist is then selected by the MFA Linde Family Director of Community Arts, the MFA Manager of the Community Arts Initiative, the MFA Manager of Community Arts, a Community Art Director, and other MFA staff members following interviews of the final candidates. For more information please email artistproject@mfa.org.

The MFA currently partners with twelve community organizations including Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center (BCNC), the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester, Sociedad Latina, United South End Settlements (USES), West End House Boys & Girls Club of Allston-Brighton, and Vine Street Community Center. Additionally, we are also proud to partner with six of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston: Berkshire Partners Blue Hill Boys & Girls Club, Charlestown Boys & Girls Club, Edgerley Family South Boston Boys & Girls Club, Gerald and Darlene Jordan Boys & Girls Club, Orchard Gardens Boys & Girls Club, and the Yawkey Boys & Girls Club of Roxbury. The Artist meets with approximately 10-15 children per session. The participating children meet with the Artist after school during their scheduled visits.

Along with support from the Community Arts Initiative staff in the Museum's Learning and Community Engagement Division, the MFA also employs a Community Arts Liaison for each of the community centers. MFA Liaisons assist the Lead Artist during each session.

Learn More About the Community Arts Liaisons

Community center art directors are also available to assist during sessions. MFA staff from the curatorial, exhibition, and facilities departments support the exhibition installment.