Connecting art + community since 1944
It is the mission of the Cambridge Art Association (CAA) to build a vibrant community through visual art: connecting individuals and facilitating dialogue among artists and art lovers of all ages and backgrounds. To accomplish this, CAA exhibits quality works of art and seeks to enrich lives and engage art enthusiasts and collectors. CAA also provides educational opportunities to its members and others to enhance their skills as artists and promote the appreciation of visual art.
Have questions? Contact us at info@cambridgeart.org or 617-876-0246
The Cambridge Art Association’s new Emergency Fund for Visual Artists will provide grants to artists engaging in career defining opportunities – gallery exhibitions, publications, residencies – and will support the logistics of such opportunities. This includes covering the costs of framing, shipping, and travel – that often present an impediment to participation.
- Application deadline: April 2, 2024
- Notification: April 17, 2024
- Award presentation: Friday, May 10, as part of CAA’s Spring Art Party
FAQ
Why is the CAA launching this fund now?
Over the past four years, CAA staff members have received an increase in requests for shipping support, entry fee waivers, and similar kinds of financial support that is often needed at the last minute. We were able to respond, in 2020, with fee waivers for all CAA exhibits. Annually, approximately 10% of exhibition applicants utilize these fee waivers.
What we learned, in working to assistance artists with other kinds of funding is this – very few grants are readily available for these needs, and there are only a handful of programs, regionally or nationally, that provide this type of support. As an organization committed to supporting artists of all ages – and particularly emerging artists of all ages, 2024 feels like the time to launch this new kind of support for our community. The Emergency Fund aligns directly with both our ongoing mission, and a renewed focus on creating equitable access to opportunity for all visual artists.
Cambridge Art Association (CAA) will award 3-4 grants each cycle, ranging from $500-1,000. There will be two cycles each year – with Spring and Fall application deadlines. In addition to a cash grant, awardees will receive a one-year CAA membership, which includes access to members-only exhibition, programs, discounts, and networking opportunities.
Spring 2024 awards will be presented on May 10, at the CAA’s annual Spring Art Party. Fall awards will be presented in early November 2024.
Who is eligible to apply?
Visual artists, who are 18 years of age or older, and reside in the Metro Boston Area. Preference given to applicants who reside in Cambridge, MA.
Currently enrolled students (in undergrad an graduate programs) as well as artists with commercial representation, are not eligible for this program.
What kinds of projects or opportunities are eligible for funding?
This new fund is designed to support transformational opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach for applicants. These may include: exhibition opportunities that require framing or other materials costs; travel expenses related to residencies; or emergency expenses related to maintaining a visual arts practice. The opportunity must be clearly defined, and applicants must supply supporting material as part of the application – including letters of acceptance, etc.
Will I need to complete a report after receiving a grant? Yes, recipients will be asked to complete a simplified report, with documentation to demonstrate how the funds were utilized.
Have questions? Please contact Erin Becker at ebecker@cambridgeart.org to schedule a meeting
IMPORTANT DATES:
- Entry Deadline: April 19 at 5pm
- Artist Notification: May 1 after 5pm
- Exhibit dates: June 12 - September 13, 2024
- Artwork Drop off: Friday, May 31, 2024 from 12-4pm; Saturday, June 1, 2024 from 10am-1pm at the CAA @ Canal Gallery
- Artwork Pick up: Thursday, September 19 from 12-4pm; Friday, September 20 from 12-4pm at the CAA @ Canal Gallery
ELIGIBILITY CAA welcomes emerging artists of all ages to submit work for consideration for our 2024 Emerging Artists Exhibition. All artists must be living and working in New England (MA, ME, NH, VT, CT, RI). Exhibitors featured in past Emerging Artists Exhibits hosted by the CAA are not eligible. Applicants must meet at least two (2) of the criteria points to be eligible for this exhibition:
- Working artist for 10-years or less
- Graduated from an art/arts-related institution within the past 10-years
- Has not been represented by a commercial gallery (this excludes co-op galleries)
Previous Emerging Artists exhibitors are not eligible.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS The CAA’s 2024 Emerging Artist Exhibition will be featured in CAA’s CAA @ Canal Gallery for the duration of the exhibition timeline.
- All mediums accepted: 2D, 3D and video work
- All artwork must be available for sale.
- Artwork must not exceed 60 inches on the longest side.
- Artwork must have been created within the past five (5) years.
- Work must be original, no reproductions.
- All work submitted must be available for the exhibition dates.
- Artwork that has been accepted into a CAA show within the past two (2) years will not be considered.
- Artwork must be gallery ready. Read our Art Entry Information page for more details.
- All wall-mounted work must be wired or have D-rings for hanging (or note method of presentation upon entry). We do not accept sawtooth hangers.
- Diptychs/triptychs are considered as a single work and must be entered as a single JPEG, and must meet the size requirements of a single artwork.
- Total weight of wall-mounted work must not exceed 25lbs.
- We cannot accommodate works that hang from the ceiling for this exhibit.
- All artwork images should be a maximum file size of 5MB.
- On the submission form we have provided a Frame/Presentation image field. This image is not required. In this field an artist can upload an image of their artwork in the frame, or a second, detail image. It will be added to the online portion of the exhibition to give viewers and potential buyers an idea of what the work looks like in person and installed.
3D WORK REQUIREMENTS
- Total weight of 3D work must not exceed 50lbs.
- Wall-mounted 3D work should meet all 2D requirements listed above.
- Artists must supply appropriate installation materials.
- The CAA has a limited number of pedestals. Pedestals can be reserved with CAA Staff upon acceptance. If artwork requires a pedestal of a specific size, the pedestal must be provided by the artist.
VIDEO REQUIREMENTS
- For accepted video work, the artist is responsible for providing all necessary display and viewing equipment, including, but not limited to: display monitor, DVD player, USB drive, mounting hardware, remote controls, batteries.
IMPORTANT DATES:
- Entry Deadline: April 19 at 5pm
- Artist Notification: May 1 after 5pm
- Exhibit dates: June 12 - September 13, 2024
- Artwork Drop off: Friday, May 31, 2024 from 12-4pm; Saturday, June 1, 2024 from 10am-1pm at the CAA @ Canal Gallery
- Artwork Pick up: Thursday, September 19 from 12-4pm; Friday, September 20 from 12-4pm at the CAA @ Canal Gallery
ELIGIBILITY CAA welcomes emerging artists of all ages to submit work for consideration for our 2024 Emerging Artists Exhibition. All artists must be living and working in New England (MA, ME, NH, VT, CT, RI). Exhibitors featured in past Emerging Artists Exhibits hosted by the CAA are not eligible. Applicants must meet at least two (2) of the criteria points to be eligible for this exhibition:
- Working artist for 10-years or less
- Graduated from an art/arts-related institution within the past 10-years
- Has not been represented by a commercial gallery (this excludes co-op galleries)
Previous Emerging Artists exhibitors are not eligible.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS The CAA’s 2024 Emerging Artist Exhibition will be featured in CAA’s CAA @ Canal Gallery for the duration of the exhibition timeline.
- All mediums accepted: 2D, 3D and video work
- All artwork must be available for sale.
- Artwork must not exceed 60 inches on the longest side.
- Artwork must have been created within the past five (5) years.
- Work must be original, no reproductions.
- All work submitted must be available for the exhibition dates.
- Artwork that has been accepted into a CAA show within the past two (2) years will not be considered.
- Artwork must be gallery ready. Read our Art Entry Information page for more details.
- All wall-mounted work must be wired or have D-rings for hanging (or note method of presentation upon entry). We do not accept sawtooth hangers.
- Diptychs/triptychs are considered as a single work and must be entered as a single JPEG, and must meet the size requirements of a single artwork.
- Total weight of wall-mounted work must not exceed 25lbs.
- We cannot accommodate works that hang from the ceiling for this exhibit.
- All artwork images should be a maximum file size of 5MB.
- On the submission form we have provided a Frame/Presentation image field. This image is not required. In this field an artist can upload an image of their artwork in the frame, or a second, detail image. It will be added to the online portion of the exhibition to give viewers and potential buyers an idea of what the work looks like in person and installed.
3D WORK REQUIREMENTS
- Total weight of 3D work must not exceed 50lbs.
- Wall-mounted 3D work should meet all 2D requirements listed above.
- Artists must supply appropriate installation materials.
- The CAA has a limited number of pedestals. Pedestals can be reserved with CAA Staff upon acceptance. If artwork requires a pedestal of a specific size, the pedestal must be provided by the artist.
VIDEO REQUIREMENTS
- For accepted video work, the artist is responsible for providing all necessary display and viewing equipment, including, but not limited to: display monitor, DVD player, USB drive, mounting hardware, remote controls, batteries.
IMPORTANT DATES:
- Entry Deadline: April 19 at 5pm
- Artist Notification: May 1 after 5pm
- Exhibit dates: June 12 - September 13, 2024
- Artwork Drop off: Friday, May 31, 2024 from 12-4pm; Saturday, June 1, 2024 from 10am-1pm at the CAA @ Canal Gallery
- Artwork Pick up: Thursday, September 19 from 12-4pm; Friday, September 20 from 12-4pm at the CAA @ Canal Gallery
ELIGIBILITY CAA welcomes emerging artists of all ages to submit work for consideration for our 2024 Emerging Artists Exhibition. All artists must be living and working in New England (MA, ME, NH, VT, CT, RI). Exhibitors featured in past Emerging Artists Exhibits hosted by the CAA are not eligible. Applicants must meet at least two (2) of the criteria points to be eligible for this exhibition:
- Working artist for 10-years or less
- Graduated from an art/arts-related institution within the past 10-years
- Has not been represented by a commercial gallery (this excludes co-op galleries)
Previous Emerging Artists exhibitors are not eligible.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS The CAA’s 2024 Emerging Artist Exhibition will be featured in CAA’s CAA @ Canal Gallery for the duration of the exhibition timeline.
- All mediums accepted: 2D, 3D and video work
- All artwork must be available for sale.
- Artwork must not exceed 60 inches on the longest side.
- Artwork must have been created within the past five (5) years.
- Work must be original, no reproductions.
- All work submitted must be available for the exhibition dates.
- Artwork that has been accepted into a CAA show within the past two (2) years will not be considered.
- Artwork must be gallery ready. Read our Art Entry Information page for more details.
- All wall-mounted work must be wired or have D-rings for hanging (or note method of presentation upon entry). We do not accept sawtooth hangers.
- Diptychs/triptychs are considered as a single work and must be entered as a single JPEG, and must meet the size requirements of a single artwork.
- Total weight of wall-mounted work must not exceed 25lbs.
- We cannot accommodate works that hang from the ceiling for this exhibit.
- All artwork images should be a maximum file size of 5MB.
- On the submission form we have provided a Frame/Presentation image field. This image is not required. In this field an artist can upload an image of their artwork in the frame, or a second, detail image. It will be added to the online portion of the exhibition to give viewers and potential buyers an idea of what the work looks like in person and installed.
3D WORK REQUIREMENTS
- Total weight of 3D work must not exceed 50lbs.
- Wall-mounted 3D work should meet all 2D requirements listed above.
- Artists must supply appropriate installation materials.
- The CAA has a limited number of pedestals. Pedestals can be reserved with CAA Staff upon acceptance. If artwork requires a pedestal of a specific size, the pedestal must be provided by the artist.
VIDEO REQUIREMENTS
- For accepted video work, the artist is responsible for providing all necessary display and viewing equipment, including, but not limited to: display monitor, DVD player, USB drive, mounting hardware, remote controls, batteries.