Diversity Lives Here: Roots & Routes

Artists are invited to submit original artwork for Monmouth University’s new art exhibit, Diversity Lives Here: Representation Through Art.

"As communities continue to grow and change, they are shaped by the movement of people, cultures, and stories. Immigrants and their families should be welcomed with open arms, as they bring with them new perspectives, traditions, and strengths that enrich the places they come to call home. Immigration is not only a journey of physical passage but also one of identity, resilience, and belonging. This year’s theme, Roots & Routes, asks artists to reflect on immigration and the experience of establishing roots in a new place while also highlighting the journey itself.

Monmouth University is committed to creating inclusive spaces that represent all members of its community. Across campus, we have dedicated spaces to display jury-selected artwork, ensuring that students, faculty, staff, and visitors can see themselves and the communities they belong to be represented and celebrated. In particular, the representation of experiences of those who are immigrants themselves or are from immigrant families is vital, as their presence reminds us that higher education is enriched by global voices and perspectives.

Student artists from all backgrounds are welcomed and encouraged to submit work that reflects on identity, diversity, representation, inclusion, power, equity–or to submit work that highlights historical figures who had to fight for the space to share their ideas and work. Since the artwork will be displayed within Monmouth University’s campus, artwork coming from students is especially meaningful. All work should be submitted digitally. Selected digital artwork will be printed and hung throughout Monmouth University’s buildings. This prompt is intentionally broad and meant to be open to creative interpretation."

The exhibition will be installed across Monmouth University in the Spring of 2026, and the gallery will run through Spring of 2026 (exact installation dates TBD). The deadline for submission is Febraury 1, 2026, midnight Eastern Standard Time. 

All work must be submitted digitally. Selected works will be printed, framed and hung throughout Monmouth University’s halls. Artist names and piece descriptions will be hung with the work.

Image requirements: 

• Submissions must be 24” x 36”
• Resolution of at least 300 DPI, or a minimum size of 7200 x 10800 pixels
• Use CMYK color mode and submit in TIFF, PSD, or high-quality JPEG format.
   

Art description and title requirements: 

• The art must include a title that is less than 50 characters (including spaces)
• Descriptions of the artwork will be displayed with the art and they must address the prompt “Roots & Routes” in some way
• Descriptions should be approximately 500 characters or less (including spaces)
• Explain how the piece relates to the immigrant experience, the movement of people, the physical passage, the inner journey, or establishing roots somewhere new.

Artists submitting must be:

• 18 years or older
• Students enrolled in a college or university