Exhibition Programming Policy

McLean Project for the Arts (MPA) is dedicated to presenting contemporary visual art. Quality of artwork, and the conceptual integrity of exhibition proposals (as well as the particular scope or focus of MPA’s exhibit schedule for that year) are the primary deciding factors in determining which artists are selected for exhibition.

Spring Solos 2024

Attention all artists: MPA is currently seeking submissions for our 2024 Spring Solos. Contemporary living artists working in the Mid-Atlantic Region are invited to submit exhibition or project proposals to be on display in the Emerson and Atrium Galleries. The dates for the exhibitions will be from April 11 – June 15, 2024. Each selected artist will receive a $500 honorarium.

Exhibition Dates: April 11 – June 15, 2024

Opening Reception: April 11, 2024

Artist Talk:  May 19, 2024 1-3pm

Application: Proposals will be submitted via the online submission system Submittable. There is no fee for submission. Exhibition proposals will be reviewed by the curatorial team of the McLean Project for the Arts. All works must fit through an 81” x 64” doorway. A 30% sales commission will be retained by MPA on all sales resulting directly from the exhibit.

Visit our website, www.mpaart.org, for more information. If you have any questions, please contact Jen Lillis, Assistant Curator jlillis@mpaart.org.
The deadline for submissions is January 13, 2024 at midnight. 

Open Call for Art Teachers!

MPA is excited to announce an OPEN CALL for Art Teachers!

We are looking for artists/teachers to teach art classes in our DuVal studio, located in the McLean Community Center, for adults, children and teens.

All media, processes and approaches considered. Openings beginning in Spring 2024. Both weekly classes and workshop formats considered. Salary commensurate with experience.

To apply, please provide a short (one page) proposal, resume, and 10 images of teacher/student work. Please contact Briana Clorey with questions (bclorey@mpaart.org).

Juried Shows

Strictly Painting (or other biennial juried theme exhibitions)

Strictly Painting is an example of theme exhibitions juried by arts professionals such as museum curators, arts organization curators, art consultants, art critics, independent curators, art historians and accomplished artists. All mid-Atlantic artists are invited to submit their images. to MPA through a Call for Entries procedure. The number of artists selected depends upon the juror’s decision. Cash prizes are awarded. Anyone who wishes to receive a prospectus for upcoming juried shows may send his or her address to MPA at the above address or via email to nsausser@mpaart.org

How to Apply for a Solo or Group Exhibition

MPA’s Exhibitions Director curates several solo or thematic group exhibitions per year. These exhibitions result from introduction to artist’s work through image submissions, studio visits; research in image registries; visits to other galleries and arts organizations; attending lectures, panels, and special events; visiting university art departments; peer recommendations from other artists and curators; readings and other sources of inspiration.

Image Submissions by Artists seeking Solo Exhibitions
MPA encourages artists to submit jpegs, slides and other visual materials of recent work for consideration in solo exhibition programming. Submissions should include a disc containing 10 – 20 jpegs (max pixels 2,000 at 300 dpi) of recent work or one sheet of recent slides, an artist resume, artist statement, any catalogs or press coverage, and a self-addressed stamped envelope (S.A.S.E.) with protective cardboard and sufficient postage to cover return of materials, if desired.

Reviews of materials are now done throughout the year. MPA’s Director of Exhibitions reviews the submissions and will respond to the artist through a letter, email or telephone call if a suitable opportunity arises. This may require some waiting period as the annual programming is developed over a year in advance with an agenda for balance, range and inclusivity. Please DO NOT contact the Exhibitions Director regarding your submission.

Submitted Proposals of Thematic Group Exhibitions
Curators may submit proposals of thematic group exhibitions that explore an idea in depth. MPA recommends that one individual serve as the project organizer (curator / artist / writer). This individual should not be one of the proposed exhibiting artists. Artistic quality, depth of research, budget feasibility, attention to administrative detail, and overall professionalism of the proposal are deciding factors in selecting exhibitions. Submissions should include: an exhibition goal statement; a list of artists with their resumes and current images or videos; experience of project organizer (resume), budget, outline of project needs, and a self-addressed stamped envelope with protective cardboard and sufficient postage to cover return of submission.

Reviews of materials are now done throughout the year. MPA’s Director of Exhibitions reviews the submissions and will respond to the artist through a letter, email or telephone call if a suitable opportunity arises. This may require some waiting period as the annual programming is developed over a year in advance with an agenda for balance, range and inclusivity. Please DO NOT contact the Exhibitions Director regarding your submission.

Traveling or Shared Exhibitions
MPA also presents traveling or shared exhibitions of contemporary art that are organized by other institutions. An example is the Divas and Iron Chefs exhibit, curated by Reni Gower from Virginia Commonwealth University. Other collaborations include co-organized exhibitions with other institutions and artist residencies in the schools or community.

Submissions should be sent to 

Director of Exhibitions, McLean Project for the Arts
1234 Ingleside Avenue
McLean, VA 22101
tel: 703.790.1953
nsausser@mpaart.org

Contact Us

We're not around right now. But you can send us an email and we'll get back to you, asap.

Not readable? Change text. captcha txt