Open Call for Visual Artists - Beyond Borders: Imagining Immigrant Futures

The New York Immigration Coalition is excited to announce an open call for immigrant artists based in the New York State area to participate in Beyond Borders: Imagining Immigrant Futures. This one-night exhibition and art fair, taking place on May 28th from 6-9pm, will offer selected artists the opportunity to showcase their pieces while supporting the New York Immigration Coalition’s ongoing work to support immigrant communities in New York state. Ticket sales will support the NYIC’s work, while artists will receive full proceeds from art sales.

Submissions close on April 10, 2026. The panel is looking for pieces that respond to the event’s theme, Imagining Immigrant Futures. Successful applicants will showcase a piece that envisions the possibilities for a future that honors the stories, perspectives, and rights of all people, regardless of immigration status.

Application Instructions

NYIC welcomes submissions from immigrant artists at all stages of their career working in any 2-dimensional visual medium - encompassing but not limited to painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, mixed media, and textiles textile.

Artists must 1) identify as an immigrant (having migrated from another country themselves), 2) agree to deliver their pieces to the event space in the days preceding the event, 3) submit a clear, high resolution photo of their work in .png format.

Submitted works should 1) respond to the event theme, Imagining Immigrant Futures, 2) be two-dimensional (able to be mounted on a flat surface) 3) meet size requirements (width between 6 and 33 inches, height between 9 and 39 inches), and 4) available for sale.

This event is hosted in collaboration with FABnyc and with support from the New York Foundation for the Arts.

If you have any questions or would like more information surrounding this event, please reach to imartinez@nyic.org.