CALL FOR ART: Dreamer's Perspective

For the third year in a row, the Center for All Abilities (CAA) is hosting a summer arts showcase, dedicated to platforming the art of neurodivergent and special needs individuals. This year’s show, Dreamer’s Perspective: Through My Lens, is focused on portraits, self-portraits, and reflections of self-identity — how you see yourself, how you move through the world, and what makes you who you are. CAA encourages artists to share work that reflects personal experience, perception, and the many ways people navigate and express their inner worlds. This exhibition aims to create a space for thoughtful, authentic, and expansive representations of selfhood and lived experience.

The Center for All Abilities is a nonprofit based in Manhattan’s Chinatown which serves as a supportive resource for the special needs community, particularly among Chinese immigrant families. They provide creative arts therapy, vocational training, and community-based programming and workshops to support the whole family.

This exhibition is in collaboration with Long Story Short Galleries, which generously provides their venue and support. The show is also in partnership with Extreme Kids and Crew, a nonprofit which provides a welcoming, supportive space for young people with disabilities, their families and friends, to connect, create and learn.

The exhibition will run from August 8 to August 24 at Long Story Short, located at 52 Henry Street, New York, NY 10002.

CAA is also open to hosting live performances, arts workshops, and group tours during the run of the exhibition. Please reach out if this applies to you or your network!

Though this is a photography-specific exhibition, CAA is also inviting submissions that incorporate original photography in other ways. For example, collage work which utilizes original photography will also be considered. If unsure whether your work meets the requirements of this exhibition, feel free to contact CAA for clarification.

Requirements

This art exhibition is specifically to platform artists who identify as neurodivergent.

All artwork must be original and created by the submitting artist or group of artists.

If accepted, artwork must be submitted as a high quality PNG to info@allabilities.org with the subject line “Dreamer’s Perspective 2026 Submission.” Please rename the file to include the artist’s first and last name.

CAA takes responsibility for framing and printing of all work, unless submissions are delivered in-person and already appropriately framed.

Application Instructions

Please apply and submit a sample using this form.