2026 Bank of the Arts National Juried Show

Craven Arts Council and Gallery is seeking applications for the 2026 Bank of the Arts National Juried Exhibition. This exhibition includes $5000 in awards, including a $1,500 purchase award, plus a publication of works in the exhibition with poetry inspired by the artwork in the exhibition.

Bank of the Arts is a historic, turn of the century former bank building housing the Craven Arts Council & Gallery. The building features impressive original plaster work pillars and decoration illuminated by a large skylight and modern lighting fixtures. The Craven Arts Council hosts rotating exhibitions of local, regional, and national art in their three gallery spaces.  The historic city of New Bern, the first colonial capital of North Carolina, has become a prime destination for retirees, families and tourists alike.  New Bern's rich history and beautiful geographic setting have combined to create a cultural environment that has attracted an active art community supported by an enthusiastic group of collectors and donors.

The 2026 Bank of the Arts National Juried Exhibition offers $5,000 in awards, including the $1,500 CAC&G Permanent Collect Purchase Award. The show’s juror will be Benjamin Billingsley. Billingsley is Associate Curator at the Cameron Art Museum, where he has curated several recent exhibitions, including From Mountains to Sea and The Game Changers: Diebenkorn, Frankenthaler, and Rauschenberg. 

This year’s exhibition will also continue the “Ekphrastic Poetry Competition” that has been so well received in previous years.  Poets will create original compositions inspired by the artwork in the exhibition, with awards and readings during the September 11th ArtWalk Reception.  

2026 Bank of the Arts National Juried Exhibition Important Dates:

•             March 1: Bank of the Arts National Juried Exhibition Call for Entries opens on CAFÉ

•             June 12: Call closes at 11:59pm

•             June 27: Artists notified of acceptance or rejection by 5:00pm

•             June 30-July 25: Drop off or delivery of work to Bank of the Arts

•             July 10: Ekphrastic Poetry competition opens online with images from the exhibition

•             August 7, 5pm-8pm : Artwalk Opening Reception, visual art winners announced

•             August 28: Ekphrastic Poetry competition closes

•             September 11, 5pm-8pm: September Artwalk reception, poetry winners and readings

•             September 29-October 3: Pick up or mailing of work

Categories

• 2D (paintings, mixed media)
• Photography
• Contemporary Crafts (pottery, jewelry, textiles, wood, glass and metal art)
• Indoor Sculpture
• Outdoor Sculpture
   

Awards

• $1,500 CAC&G  Permanent Collection Purchase Award  (indoor)
• Four $250 Best-in-Category Awards (indoor)
• Five $100 Merit Awards (indoor)
• Two $1,000 Honoraria (outdoor)

Artists may submit 1-3 pieces for consideration into the exhibition, by submitting 1-3 images or videos. Please note that submissions should be one jpeg per piece. However, artists may include multiple images in one jpeg, to show different perspectives or details of the piece (see www.cravenarts.org for an example). Artists may also submit a video instead of an image of a piece. 

Eligibility: All artists 18 years or older may submit works for this show. Only original works of art not previously shown at the Craven Arts Council & Gallery and created within the last three years are eligible. These works must fit into one of five categories: 2D, Contemporary Craft (pottery, textiles, jewelry, metal art and wood), Photography, Gallery Sculpture, and Outdoor Sculpture. All work to be hung must be professionally framed and/or securely wired. If subject to damage, the piece must be framed under Plexiglas or glass. No clip mounting or saw-tooth hangers will be accepted. Three-dimensional work must sit solidly on a flat surface or be properly mounted for hanging. If works are not adequately prepared for display, they will be withdrawn from jurying. Hanging pieces must not exceed 8 feet (96 inches) in any direction. While there are no size restrictions on non-hanging items, it should be kept in mind that entries must be transportable and able to be displayed in a conventional-sized gallery. Gallery sculpture must not exceed 100 lbs. All outdoor work must be able to withstand outdoor conditions in a coastal region for one year and pose no threat to public safety. When necessary, works will be secured to concrete pads. Artists of selected pieces must provide installation instructions and equipment if needed.

Entry and Fee: A maximum total of three works (indoor, outdoor, or combination) may be submitted to the Craven Arts Council & Gallery through CAFÉ for $40. Current members of Craven Arts Council may request a coupon code for $10 off the application price. Current members must contact CAC&G by June 1, 2026 to verify their membership and receive the coupon code. All fees are due upon application. Mail checks to Craven Arts Council & Gallery, P.O. Box 596, New Bern, NC 28563 and make payable to the Craven Arts Council & Gallery; or pay by credit card through the CAFÉ Web page. Entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, June 19th, 2026.