Northern Illinois University
Art Museum
College of Visual and Performing Arts

The exhibitions and programs of the NIU Art Museum are sponsored in part by the Illinois Arts Council Agency; the Friends of the NIU Art Museum; the NIU Arts and Culture Fee; and the College of Visual and Performing Arts' season presenting sponsors Shaw and WNIU/WNIJ Northern Public Radio. Learn more about the NIU Art Museum.

The NIU Art Museum is currently accepting submissions in all media. This call is open to all artists in the United States 18 years of age or older. Two people must be able to handle and install the submitted artwork which must also fit through a single door (36” wide x 84” tall).

The entry fee is $35. Checks made out to NIU in U.S. dollars or credit card by phone are the only forms of payment currently accepted. Submissions received without a fee will not be considered. Credit card payments must be made over the phone at 815-753-1936 and mailed payments must be postmarked by the application deadline announced in the call for entry. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. Please do not e-mail, fax or leave credit card information in a voicemail as that is not a secure method of communication or payment.

Online Submissions

• Resume (1-2 pages)
  • Upload .doc or .pdf files with contact information
• Upload images: Applicants may submit up to five works in any medium for consideration. You may include an additional two detail images of each work.
  • Upload 1 - 15 .jpg images
  • Format file names: LASTNAME_Title.jpg; LASTNAME_Title_Detail.jpg
  • File size 2500 px, 300 DPI
• URL link to video hosting site of performance documentation, video or digital artwork.
• Illustrated image list and artist statement
  • Upload .doc or .pdf files with thumbnail images
  • Title, dimensions, date, medium, additional artists in the case of collaboration and insurance values.
• Include a 50-250 word artist statement about this body of work. Elements of this text will be displayed with your artwork.
• Entry fee check (mailed separately) made out to NIU in U.S. dollars or credit card by phone at 815-753-1936.
  • Please have ready your entry number from your confirmation e-mail which you will receive after you make your online submission. Online payments are not accepted at this time.

Call For Entry Online Submission Form

Mailed Submissions

• Resume (1-2 pages)
  • Typewritten with contact information
• Flash Drive or CD must be labeled neatly with the artist's first and last name.
  • Submit 1-15 .jpg images
  • Format file names: LASTNAME_Title.jpg; LASTNAME_Title_Detail.jpg
  • File size 2500 px, 300 DPI
  • Applicants may submit up to five works in any medium for consideration. You may include an additional two detail images of each work.
• DVD video footage of performance documentation, video or digital artwork. Must be labeled neatly with the artist's first and last name.
• Illustrated image list and statement
  • Typewritten with thumbnail images
  • Title, dimensions, date, medium, additional artists in the case of collaboration, and insurance values.
  • Include a 50-250 word artist statement about this body of work. Elements of this text will be displayed with your artwork.
• Entry fee
  • Enclosed check made out to NIU in U.S. dollars or credit card by phone at 815-753-1936.
• Appropriately sized self-addressed stamped envelope if you wish your materials to be returned to you.
  • Mailing address for entries:
    Call for Entries – What is for Supper? What is a Meal?
    NIU Art Museum, Altgeld 116
    Northern Illinois University
    1425 W. Lincoln Highway
    DeKalb, IL 60115

Artwork must arrive at the museum ready for exhibition. All accepted work must remain on display for the full duration of the exhibition: from Nov. 14, 2023 – Feb. 17, 2024. Please consider any potentially conflicting commitments with your work before making your selections for submission.

The NIU Art Museum reserves the right to maintain its established professional standards when selecting work for any exhibitions. To that end, the museum reserves the right to accept any number of applicants or none at all. The Museum reserves the right not to exhibit accepted work that differs significantly from images initially submitted. View examples of past exhibitions or visit the museum’s Flickr page.

Applicants will be notified of acceptance by Friday, Aug. 4, 2023.

Artwork should arrive at the Art Museum by Friday, Oct. 20, 2023. Insured shipping to the Museum is the responsibility of the artist. The NIU Art Museum will provide insured return shipping after the exhibition via UPS 2^nd day air unless other arrangements are agreed upon at notification of acceptance. Please be conscious of artwork package girth and standard UPS restrictions. Artwork must not require freight shipping.

Ship to:

NIU Art Museum
c/o Central Receiving
180 W. Stadium Dr.
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL 60115
815-753-0262

The NIU Art Museum provides fine art insurance for all artwork while on the museum premises and during return shipping.