Artist Application

Call for Artists & Writers: Notes of Ebony
Presented by Black Artist Forward in partnership with Black Canvas

📍 Exhibit Location:
Dirty Whiskey Craft Cocktail Bar
5431 Corporation Dr, Hope Mills, NC 28348

🗓 Exhibit Dates: June 20 – September 2025
🖼 Submission Deadline: June 2, 2025
✅ Entry Fee: Free

About the Exhibit

Notes of Ebony is a celebration of Black expression through visual and literary arts. This curated collection will feature 20 canvas-printed visual artworks (24x24”) and a selection of poetry and prose. This exhibition honors the many "notes" — ancestral, emotional, cultural, and creative — that shape and inspire Black lives.

We welcome all visual mediums and short-form literary submissions (poetry or prose). All accepted works will be printed for exhibition to protect original pieces in a public space.

 Submission Details

• Deadline to Submit: June 2, 2025

• Jury Review: June 2–6, 2025

• Notification of Acceptance: June 9, 2025

• Printing Begins: June 9, 2025

Visual Art Guidelines

• Submit up to 3 high-resolution images (300 dpi)

• Final prints will be 24x24” canvas wraps

• Art should be square or easily cropped to fit

• Include title, medium, and a brief statement (optional)

Literary Guidelines

• Submit up to 2 written works (poetry or prose)

• Must be 60 words or less to ensure visibility 

• Accepted files: .doc, .pdf

Additional Opportunities

• Accepted artists may opt in to sell prints through Black Artist Forward’s website.

  • 80% of proceeds go directly to the artist

  • 20% supports the Thrive Fund, an emergency microgrant for artists in Cumberland County

• The exhibition is intended to travel to additional venues following the initial run. Participation in future shows will be discussed with accepted artists.

Eligibility

• Open to Black artists and writers age 21+

• All mediums and experience levels welcome

• Must reside in the U.S.

Copyright, Exhibition Rights & Professional Conduct

By submitting to Notes of Ebony, you confirm that:

• You are the original creator of the submitted work(s) and hold full copyright.

• Submitted work does not infringe on any third-party rights, including copyright, trademark, or privacy.

• You grant Black Artist Forward (BAF) non-exclusive rights to reproduce your accepted work for exhibition, marketing, and promotional purposes related to the exhibit.

Canvas prints created for this exhibit will not be returned. They will remain the property of Black Artist Forward as part of the traveling exhibition collection and may be exhibited at future venues.

Artists retain full ownership and copyright of their original work and are encouraged to promote and sell their originals independently.

Disqualification, Removal & Conduct Policy

Black Artist Forward reserves the right to disqualify any submission or remove accepted work from the exhibition at any time if:

• It is discovered that the artist has misrepresented authorship,

• The work infringes upon another creator’s copyright, or

• The submission violates the spirit of the exhibit’s mission or community standards.

Black Artist Forward is committed to cultivating a respectful, collaborative, and affirming space for artists and the communities we serve.

By submitting, you agree to engage in professional and respectful conduct throughout the duration of the exhibit. BAF reserves the right to remove any artist’s work from the exhibit if they engage in conduct that publicly disparages the exhibit, its partners, or fellow participants in a way that causes harm to the event’s integrity or community relationships.

Constructive feedback and dialogue are always welcome and can be directed to our team privately.