Art in the Heart of Main South 2026

Call for Submissions

"Art in the Heart of Main South" is an off shoot of the Art in the Park, Worcester sculpture show. Gloria D Hall, AIP's ideator and co-founder is this show's call administrator.  The show consists of four sites on Clark University's campus and three in University Park. Clark University's 72-acre, tree-filled campus is located at 950 Main Street, Worcester, MA. University Park, located adjacent to the campus, is 14.3 acre public park with the heart shaped Crystal Pond and a small playground. Clark University; James Maurelle, artist and Assistant Professor, Visual and Performing Arts, Clark University; Toby Sisson Associate Professor & Director of Studio Art, Visual and Performing Arts; and Emmanuel Manu Opoku artist and Adjunct Professor of Studio Art, Assumption Art  are the show's panelists. The artist stipend is $1,500.00 payable by Clark University. 

STIPEND:

There is a $1,500.00 artist stipend. Artists are responsible for transporting,
installing, and removing their work with limited volunteer assistance. Heavy-duty
machinery for unloading and set up will be available on a limited scheduled
basis. Once installed sculptures are to remain throughout the exhibition period.

SELECTION AND INSTALLATION:

A panel of artists, art professionals, community members, and the office of Clark University Community Affairs will select seven sculptures for Art in the Heart of Main South.  The panel includes, Joseph Corazzini, Vice President of Government and Community Affairs Clark University; James Maurelle, artist and Assistant Professor, Visual and Performing Arts, Clark University; Toby Sisson Associate Professor & Director of Studio Art, Visual and Performing Arts; and Emmanuel Manu Opoku artist and Adjunct Professor of Studio Art, Assumption Art. The artist stipend is $1,500.00 payable by Clark University. 

Clark University's sites are adjacent to the Geography Building; the Shaich Family Alumni and Student Engagement Center; Carlson Hall; Lasry Center for BioScience,  #23, #42, #10, & #36 on the campus map link: https://www.clarku.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Clark-University-Map.pdf. Three will be sited in University Park,  if applicable in the pond and on the Main Street edge of the Park.

Although color is desired, works chosen will be based on quality, design, durability, scale, suitability for an outdoor environment, safety to the public, and stable mounting. Sculptures should be able to be well anchored to a base platform, into the earth or securely suspended from trees. The call organizers will site the sculptures in the grounds and trees on Clark University's Campus and in University Park within guidelines set by the University and the Supervisor of the Worcester Public Parks Department, respectively. 

Lifting Equipment: will be available at specific times to assist with unloading and setting up sculpture at Clark University and University Park. 

INSURANCE AND SECURITY:  Clark University will exercise practical care of the sculptures while they are on campus. The City of Worcester Parks Department will exercise practical care of the sculptures while they are in University Park. While Clark University has twenty-four hour surveillance, Gloria D. Hall, call administrator, nor Clark University's shall be responsible for any damages to the art displayed by the artist. University Park is a non-gated public park and while park staff and police patrol it periodically and there are lights, it does not have 24-hour surveillance. Gloria D. Hall, call administrator, nor the Parks shall be responsible for any damages to the art displayed by the artist. Artists shall hold the University, Parks Department, selection panelists, and call administrator harmless from any and all claims, demands, liabilities or costs and expenses arising from damage or loss while the art is on display. While Clark University will provide property and liability insurance, It is recommended that the artist have their own property and liability insurance.

Submission Deadline: 11:59pmCST June 11, 2026. 

Artists may submit up to three existing and/or proposed site-specific sculptures.  Artists are encouraged to visit the location prior to submitting the application and may specify potential location(s) for a sculpture. Organizers cannot guarantee the location, but every effort will be made to consider the applicant’s request.

♦ Proposal Content: A drawing with key and scale information, description of the proposed work and the materials.

♦ Works: Artists may submit up to 3 sculptures for consideration or 1 proposal and 2 existing sculptures. For each sculpture up to three images with if desired, one being a detail of works completed in the past five years. Proposal Content: A drawing with key and scale information, description of the proposed work and type of material(s).  A minimum of 1 and no more 3  clearly labeled digital images in JPEG format (max 3 images per piece) of original work. Follow CaFE image requirements: JPEG format only, 1200 pixels on the longest side, less than 5 MB in size. Visit the CaFE Help Page for more information on image requirements or for help resizing images. 

No more than 1 optional video per piece. 

♦ JPEGS image identification on each: lastnamefirstnameimagenumber.jpeg

♦ Application Due Date:  Applications are to be submitted by 11:59PM CST June 11, 2026. Apply online at Call for Entry CAFÉ. 

 ♦  Date of work: Preference will be given to work produced by the artist or collaboration within the past five years. 

 ♦ Ownership:  All work must be the property of the artist.

  ♦ Size:  Proposed works and existing sculptures should be of an appropriate scale and size and able to be well anchored in a tree, to a 
base platform or in the ground.

 ♦ Lifting Equipment: will be available at specific times to assist with unloading and setting up sculpture.

  ♦ Safety:  Sharp, pointed pieces of the sculptures should be avoided below 
4 feet to prevent injury to viewers.

  ♦ Media:  All media should be suitable for outdoor installation, safe for viewers and 
appropriate for extended outdoor exhibition and exposure to weather.

  ♦ No substitutions:  Sculptures accepted by the jurors cannot be substituted with other work without contacting the call administrator. 

 ♦ Artists are encouraged to submit pieces with strong color or bright metal so as to stand out on campus and in the Park. However, pieces will not be judged on the basis of color.

KEY DATES:

¨ Submission Deadline:  June 11, 2026

¨ Sculptors notified: June 30, 2026

¨  Installation of sculptures:  October 6 & 8, 2026 (lift equipment available)

¨ Opening Day of exhibition:  October 18, 2026 (tentative)

¨  Exhibition Period: October 11 - May 31, 2027 

¨  Removal of Sculptures:  June 2 & 4, 2027 (lift equipment available)

Practicing US sculptors of medium to large-scale works are eligible to apply.