What's the Word?: By Us and About Us

The fourth annual exhibition, aligned with the national Black History Month theme for 2027, invites visual artists to explore African American communication, identity, and activism. Submissions may be in any medium – sculpture, photography, mixed media, interdisciplinary work, or painting – and should reflect the exhibition’s theme. The call is organized by the Worcester Center for Crafts in partnership with the NE Black Artists Collective (NEBAC). A jury of art professionals will select works for a juried show that runs February 1–28, 2027 at the Worcester Center for Crafts. The exhibition offers a $500 cash prize for the best work and two honorable mentions. Applicants must submit up to five pieces, an artist statement (150‑250 words), and a statement relating the work to the theme. All works must be ready to hang with wire. The deadline for submissions is December 1, 2026; artists will be notified by January 3, 2027, with jury results announced January 6, 2027. The show opens February 1, 2027.

Juried exhibition, cash prize, exhibition exposure (Feb 1‑28 2027)

Open to visual artists (any medium); regional eligibility; priority to artists of African or African‑American diaspora; up to 5 works per artist.