Call for Artists: Gallery Grant

The legal name of Harvard University is President and Fellows of Harvard College.
Harvard Ed Portal
The Harvard Ed Portal connects the Allston-Brighton community with Harvard University, offering free programs and events for people of all ages. We provide access to educational, cultural, and professional development opportunities, from mentoring and scholarships to wellness and career resources. Our goal is to empower residents and bridge the gap between Harvard and the local community to foster learning, growth, and connection.
The Harvard Ed Portal (HEP) is a collaborative partnership involving Harvard, the Allston-Brighton community, and the City of Boston. Created in close consultation with the Allston community, it’s a space where Allston-Brighton residents, students, families, and professionals from every walk of life participate in innovative programming and learn from one another. From K–12 education and family programs, to opportunities for digital learning, career and economic development, personal wellness, and the arts, the Ed Portal provides countless resources to support and enrich the lives of those in and around the community.
The Harvard Ed Portal is seeking local artists for Crossings Gallery exhibitions with optional community program at 224 Western Ave in Allston, MA.
Applicants are encouraged to propose exhibitions that engage, inspire, and educate the Allston-Brighton community — including people of diverse backgrounds. Submissions from creatives of all experience levels are encouraged as well as solo artists or collaborations but our primary mission is to provide artists with their first professional gallery show, artist support and professional development. Preference will be given to artists living, studying and/or working in Allston-Brighton. BIPOC & LBGTQIA+ creatives are strongly encouraged to submit. Accommodations can be provided for artists with disabilities.
If selected, the artist will work collaboratively with the Ed Portal arts programming team to develop their exhibition scope, project feasibility and timeline.
Artists receive a standard exhibitor fee along with payment for their community program (if any). Fees typically range between $750–$2,000 depending on the number of people involved and project scope. The Ed Portal also provides marketing, a professional installer and gallery mentor, hosts a reception and covers participant expenses for optional community programs (ie workshop materials).
Criteria for jurying submissions may include but are not limited to: Relevance of topics; potential engagement & impact for diverse community audience; overall aesthetic of artwork or proposed artwork; and detail of application/proposal.

Eligibility

What type of art are you looking to exhibit in the gallery?
This year, we welcome all mediums, jewelry, fashion, metalsmithing, glass, drawing or paintings. Themes of interest include but are not limited to: works that sparks dialogue about contemporary issues.Preference for submissions that include an interactive component or program that prompts visitors to dive deeper into artistic themes, such as an artist talk, art-making activity or asynchronous engagement.Priority given to emerging artists, artists of all experience levels who have never shown work in a gallery, and/or artists looking to expand on their visual artwork by co-producing a community engagement