Voices Soon To Be Votes: Student Artists Picture Democracy
A Juried Student Exhibition at the Long Island Museum
Call to High School Student Artists
Deadline: November 27, 2024
Calling Long Island students in grades 9 – 12 to submit work for a juried exhibition on view alongside our annual student art exhibition, The Colors of Long Island, and in conversation with two new exhibitions on view this Spring. Students are asked to create artwork that responds to the themes and ideas presented by the Smithsonian’s Voices and Votes: Democracy in America exhibition as well as the Long Island Museum’s Voices & Votes: Response Exhibition.
Voices and Votes: Democracy in America is based on a major exhibition from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. When American revolutionaries waged a war for independence they took a leap of faith that sent ripple effects across generations. They embraced a radical idea of establishing a government that entrusted the power of the nation not in a monarchy, but in its citizens. That great leap sparked questions that continue to impact Americans: who has the right to vote, what are the freedoms and responsibilities of citizens, and whose voices will be heard?
Building the Ballot Box: Long Island’s Democratic History by the Long Island Museum is a reply to the national story told by the Voices and Votes: Democracy in America exhibition. For over 250 years, Long Islanders of all backgrounds have advocated and pushed towards an expanding definition of citizenship, from the Revolutionary War period and the elimination of the institution of slavery in the early republic, through the fight for women’s suffrage and Civil Rights. The exhibition highlights ongoing issues today in the Nassau-Suffolk region—from advocacy work for immigrant rights, to the cause of affordable housing and job equity throughout our communities— and how these causes have strong grassroots energy and local support. Throughout history, residents of Long Island have worked inside and outside of formal government pathways and within the public sphere to ensure their voices are heard.
Students Artists: What does Democracy mean to you? Since America’s founding almost 250 years ago, artists have used their work as means of engaging society in this important question. How do we, as Americans, practice and live our Democracy today? How is your voice heard?
ENTRIES
- Entries must be original work by the student artist. Students may enter their own work directly through a form on our website.
- Works may be in any medium and may be no larger than 36” in any one direction. Three dimensional pieces are welcome!
- All art should be ready to be hung/installed by the Long Island Museum. When applicable, framed pieces are preferred and financial assistance and advice is available to help with mounting and framing. Please reach out via email if you are interested.
- Registration opens October 21 and closes November 27. There is only one step to the process and you will need to submit your information as well as a photo of your work at that time. Please do not register until you have all details prepared and ready to fill in.
- To register, fill out the form below when it becomes available.
- Jurors will decide on the pieces to be included during the beginning of December and artists will be notified via email by December 20
- If chosen, artwork drop off will be during the first week in February. Artworks on view will not be able to be removed from the gallery for pickup until May 18, 2025. Please keep this in mind if you might want to use your piece for any other shows or portfolios.
Please email us at art@longislandmuseum.org or call (631) 751-0066 x283/284 if you have further questions.
