Connecting art + community since 1944
The Cambridge Art Association (CAA) builds a vibrant community through visual art: connecting individuals and facilitating dialogue among artists and art lovers of all ages and backgrounds. We are committed to creating a Culture of Belonging by providing diverse, equitable and inclusive environments and programming for artists, students, and staff of any nationality, ethnic origin, race, color, religion, physical ability, economic status, documentation status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or any other aspect of who they are.
The CAA exhibits quality works of art from the full continuum of our community and seeks to enrich lives and engage art enthusiasts and collectors. The CAA also provides educational and professional development opportunities to its diverse members and nonmembers as to enhance their skills as artists and build their marketing proficiency. This support helps artists to amplify their voices and promote the appreciation of visual art.
Have questions? Contact us at info@cambridgeart.org or 617-876-0246
GENERAL INFORMATION
The 2025 Mary Schein Fall Salon is a non-juried exhibit open to all current members of the Cambridge Art Association (CAA) - including Artist, Associate Artist, Student, and Lifetime. It will be presented as an in-person exhibit in our Kathryn Schultz Gallery (25 Lowell Street) and CAA @ University Place (124 Mount Auburn Street). Please note that approximately 80 artists will be featured in the in-person exhibit, and the rest will be available on CAA’s online exhibit page. We encourage you to apply early to secure a place in one of the galleries, as applications will be viewed on a first-come first-served basis.
There will be our Mary Schein Fall Salon Prizes, selected by a committee, as well as awards presented by the Riverbend Park! To be eligible for a Riverbend Park prize, your artwork must be related to what one sees and experiences along the Charles River from the Western Avenue Bridge to the Eliot Bridge. For further award details, please see the section below.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The 2025 Mary Schein Fall Salon will be presented as two in-person exhibits in our Kathryn Schultz Gallery and at University Place Gallery. The entirety of the exhibit will be featured online – and for sale – on CAA’s website for the duration of the exhibition timeline. Artists cannot choose which show they would like to be considered for.
- All mediums accepted: 2D, 3D and video work
- All artwork must be listed as for sale.
- 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.
- 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.
- Artwork must not exceed 60 inches on the longest side.
- Total weight of wall-mounted work must not exceed 50lbs.
- Artwork must be gallery ready. Read all of our Art Entry Information.
3D WORK REQUIREMENTS
- Total weight of 3D work must not exceed 100lbs.
- CAA does not accept any ceiling-hanging artworks, due to structural concerns of the space
- Wall-mounted 3D work should be wired for hanging, 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.
Please review our in-person and online exhibitor guidelines here.
Fees:
- CAA Artist + Associate Artist + Lifetime Members | $15
- Student Members | Free
Important Dates:
- Entry Deadline | Wednesday, August 6 at 5pm EST
- Drop-off | Tuesday, September 3 and Wednesday, September 4 from 12-4pm at Kathryn Schultz Gallery and CAA @ University Place (Please note that all works must be delivered to on the scheduled drop-off and pick-up dates. CAA cannot schedule alternate delivery times for this exhibit.)
- Pick-Up | Wednesday, October 22 and Thursday, October 23 from 12-4pm at Kathryn Schultz Gallery and CAA @ University Place (If you do not pick up work from a show on the scheduled date, you will be charged a $15 per week storage fee + a $15 transportation fee if your artwork is exhibited at our CAA @ University Place Gallery. If your artwork requires a truck rental, you must pay the rental fee as well. All fees must be paid before or at pick-up.)
- Exhibit dates | September 13 - October 17, 2025
- In-person reception + awards presentation | DATE TBA. Award presentation will be at the Kathryn Schultz Gallery at approximately 1pm.
Calling all Boston-area artists for a public art installation opportunity! The Art Wall at CAA @ Canal provides an expansive opportunity for visual artists and organizations to engage with the public in Cambridge’s vibrant Kendall Square area.
The Art Wall is a 24 feet long by 8 feet tall portable wall located in the window of 650 E. Kendall Street – on Termeer Square in the vibrant Canal District area of Kendall Square. The Cambridge Art Association (CAA) is seeking proposals for installations in the window/on beginning in May 2025, and ending in December 2025.
Installations must be installed by the artist, on a mutually agreed upon schedule. Installations will remain in place for approximately a period of 3 months, after which they will be removed by the artist(s). Installations may present a new idea or concept, or may feature existing artwork – we’re interested in seeing your ideas! Installations that connect the vibrant arts and life sciences communities of Cambridge are of particular interest.
Approximate display periods:
- May - August 2025
- September - December 2025
FAQ
The Art Wall @ Canal comprises a 24 foot long by 8 foot tall moveable, museum-quality wall. There is approximately 3 feet of clearance between the window and the wall. Artwork or installations may be wall mounted, placed on pedestals, on displayed on the floor. Artwork or objects cannot be suspended from the ceiling. Installation involving plants or other organic matter (living or preserved) are not permitted, per the property management. Applicants should note - the windows are not UV glazed, and are subject to sun exposure throughout the day.
APPLICATION MATERIALS
Below is a list of materials you will need to be fully prepared:
- Artist Contact Information. (REQUIRED)
- Artist Biography. The max word count is 100 words. An artist biography talks about your background and is written in 3rd person (avoiding resume format). Your biography will be displayed on a webpage linked to this opportunity. (REQUIRED)
- Artist Statement written in the 3rd person. The max word count is 100 words. We recommend that you speak about the work you are submitting or what drives your artistic practice as a whole. Your artist statement will be displayed on a webpage linked to this opportunity if your work is accepted. (REQUIRED)
- Artist CV/Resume (REQUIRED)
- Artwork Images. Please include high resolution files (300 dpi, JPEG, CMYK, minimum of 1024 pixels wide).
- Artwork Checklist. Please upload a pdf of the artwork images and artwork information, including all Titles, Medium, Dimensions (in inches), and Prices. (Required) - note: any accepted artworks valued at $7,500 or above must be accompanied by a liability waiver.
IMAGE PREPARATION
Before starting your application make sure you have all your information together. To apply you will need the following information:
Artwork Information
- Title
- Medium
- Dimensions (L x W x H)
- Price/value
File Size
- Submittable allows for a maximum file size of 5MB
- Videos can be linked to YouTube, Vimeo, etc in the "additional information" section
File Names
- Lastname_Firstname_Title.jpg (main image)
- Lastname_Firstname_Title_Detail.jpg (additional supporting image - 3D work only)
Have questions? Please contact Anna Fubini at afubini@cambridgeart.org
This opportunity is sponsored by BioMed Realty