BAES - Emerging Artist Competition

We’re inviting emerging artists to submit their work for a chance to be featured at the 2nd Annual Black Art Empowerment Summit in Los Angeles—an inspiring gathering of artists, collectors, curators, and cultural changemakers.

This is a rare opportunity to showcase your work on a national stage and have it seen by esteemed art collectors and industry professionals serving as our jury panel. Panelists to be announced soon!

Submission Guidelines:

• Open to emerging artists only 

   

• Submit up to three original works that reflect the theme:
  The Future is Ours — a celebration of bold visions, unapologetic expression, and the creative force shaping what’s next 

   

• Accepting submissions in the following mediums: painting, photography, drawing, mixed media, and sculpture
  (No digital art, video, or performance art at this time) 

   

• Submission deadline: November 21, 2025 at 11:59 PM PST 

   

• Selected artists will have their work exhibited during the Summit and featured in our official program and digital platforms

Who qualifies as an emerging artist?
We welcome submissions from artists who are in the early phase of their careers—those who have not yet had a major solo exhibition at a museum, are not currently represented by a major gallery, and who are still building national visibility.

If selected, your work will be part of a powerful dialogue centered around art, equity, and the future of Black creativity.

Terms & Conditions for Artist Submissions

By submitting artwork for consideration, you agree to the following terms:

1. Originality of Work
   All submitted artwork must be the original creation of the artist. Submissions found to be plagiarized, created by another party, or otherwise misrepresented will result in immediate disqualification. 

    

2. Eligibility
   This competition is open to emerging artists only. Artists should not have had a major solo museum exhibition or be currently represented by a major commercial gallery.

    

3. Age Requirement
   Applicants must be 18 years of age or older at the time of submission to be eligible for consideration. 

    

4. Accepted Mediums
   Eligible mediums include painting, drawing, mixed media, and sculpture. Digital art, video, and performance art are not accepted at this time. 

    

5. Submission Limit
   Each artist may submit a maximum of three (3) works for consideration. Additional entries will not be reviewed. 

    

6. Theme Compliance
   All submitted works must respond meaningfully to the Summit theme:
   The Future is Ours — a celebration of bold visions, unapologetic expression, and the creative force shaping what’s next. 

    

7. Selection Process
   All works will be reviewed by a jury of respected art collectors, curators, and professionals. Selected artists will be notified via email by January 4, 2025, and must confirm participation by the deadline stated in the notification. A public announcement of selected artists will take place the week of January 12, 2026. 

    

8. Exhibition & Promotion
   Selected works will be exhibited during the Black Art Empowerment Summit. By submitting, artists grant Art Melanated and NiceCrowd the right to use images of submitted and accepted works for promotional purposes across web, print, and social media (with credit to the artist). 

    

9. Artwork Handling & Liability
   If selected, artists will be responsible for delivering and retrieving their artwork by the dates provided. Art Melanated will take reasonable precautions to protect all exhibited works, but is not liable for damage, theft, or loss during transit, installation, or exhibition. Artists are encouraged to insure their own works if desired. 

    

10. Sales & Commission
    If works are made available for sale, Art Melanated will coordinate with artists directly regarding pricing and commission terms, to be agreed upon prior to exhibition. 

     

11. Finality of Decisions
    All jury decisions are final. No feedback will be provided on individual submissions. 

     

12. Deadline
    Submissions must be received by November 21, 2025 at 11:59 PM PST. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered.