Art Edu 2026

Art Center Waco (ACW) proudly invites active and retired art educators from McLennan, Bell, Falls, Coryell, Limestone, Hill, and Bosque Counties to submit original works for Art Edu, a juried exhibition celebrating educators as practicing artists.

Open to emerging and established artists working across all mediums, this exhibition recognizes the creative lives of those who teach, mentor, and inspire others through the arts. It offers art educators an opportunity to share work developed beyond the classroom and highlights the personal artistic practices that continue alongside—and often inform—their work as educators.

Proceeds from artwork sales directly support both participating artists and Art Center Waco’s exhibitions, education programs, and community initiatives, helping ensure continued access to meaningful arts experiences throughout the region.

Art Edu Open Call Prospectus 
Call closes Sunday, September 27, 11:59 pm CST

Exhibit Dates
10/29/2026 -12/19/2026

Exhibit Location
Beard Gallery, Art Center Waco, 701 S. 8th Street, Waco, TX 76706

Please read this prospectus carefully and only consider submitting work if you are certain you can comply with the requirements and timetable outlined in this document. By submitting artwork to this Call for Entry, and if your work is selected for this exhibition, you agree to exhibit your work from 10/29/2026 to 12/19/2026.

Prospectus
Art Center Waco (ACW) proudly invites active and retired art educators from McLennan, Bell, Falls, Coryell, Limestone, Hill, and Bosque Counties to submit original works for Art Edu, a juried exhibition celebrating educators as practicing artists.

Open to emerging and established artists working across all mediums, this exhibition recognizes the creative lives of those who teach, mentor, and inspire others through the arts. It offers art educators an opportunity to share work developed beyond the classroom and highlights the personal artistic practices that continue alongside—and often inform—their work as educators.

Proceeds from artwork sales directly support both participating artists and Art Center Waco’s exhibitions, education programs, and community initiatives, helping ensure continued access to meaningful arts experiences throughout the region.

Requirements for Submission

• Artist bio up to 200 words
• Artist Statement up to 400 words, related to this work
• May submit up to three (3) pieces of artwork
• No minimum size for each artwork, Maximum size up to 72” in any direction, Wall works can’t exceed 60lbs
• Retail price (ACW commission = 30%, artist keeps 70%)

Submission Fees  
$25

Size Limit
Maximum size up to 72” wide, 72” high, and 72” deep (for 3D works) or less, including the frame. No Minimum size. Pedestals are not available for large scale works. If your artwork requires a pedestal for elevated viewing, please provide one.  Canvas artworks do not need to be framed, it does require hanging wire on the back.

Eligibility
Emerging and established visual artists working in all visual media, living in McLennan, Bell, Falls, Coryell, Limestone, Hill, and Bosque Counties, over the age of 18.

Include the following in your submission

• Name
• Date of Birth
• Address
• Email
• Phone Number
• Artist website (if applicable)
• Instagram (if applicable)

Artwork Guidelines

• All 2D and 3D media are eligible. Sculpture, Painting, Drawing, Printmaking, Photography, Mixed Media, and Ceramic Fine Art are welcome, no digital prints.
• Artwork must have been created in the past 5 years.
• Artworks previously exhibited with ACW are not eligible.
• All work must be original. Work found to be copied from copyrighted work will not be included. No reproductions of original works” (e.g., giclée prints of paintings), while photographic prints are allowed.
• All work must be exhibition-ready to install.

Acceptable hardware:

• Securely attached D-rings and braided picture wire (preferred method).
• French cleats may be used for heavy or large works; if used, the artist must provide both the wall and artwork sides of the cleat with clear installation instructions.
• Works on panel may include fixed cleats, provided the system is level and stable.

Not accepted:

• Sawtooth hangers, clip frames, or keyhole slots (they cannot be used on ACW’s gallery walls).
• Loose eye hooks, nails, or hanging cords that are not professionally secured.
• Adhesives, velcro, or command strips.
• Works on paper, photography, and collage on paper must be framed and ready to hang.

Work that do not adhere to the guidelines, or is deemed not to be a faithful representation of the image submitted, will not be exhibited.

All 2D works must be framed and exhibition ready to install and wall works can’t exceed 60lbs.

Important Timeline Dates

Submission Deadline: Sunday, September 27, 11:59 pm CST
Notification of Acceptance: On or before Friday, October 2nd, 2026, by the close of business. 
All chosen artwork must be delivered onsite at Art Center Waco, between Tuesday, October 6th - Saturday October 17th, 2026, by the end of business hours (2 pm). Any artwork that does not meet that deadline will not be included in the exhibit. Artists are responsible for either dropping off or shipping artwork to Art Center Waco by this date.

Shipping Instructions
Please ship to the address below.

Art Center Waco
“Art Edu “
701 S. 8th Street
Waco, TX 76706

Handling Fees
A $15 handling fee will be required for each box/crate shipped, payable to Art Center Waco. Artists whose work is accepted and requires shipping will be billed separately via email.

In-person drop-off
Artwork will be accepted onsite for drop off Tuesday, October 6th - Saturday October 17th, during gallery hours (Tuesday - Friday 11 am to 5 pm, Saturdays 10 am to 2 pm, Closed Mondays and Sundays).  Call for special drop-off arrangements needed outside of these hours.

Liability  
Legal Agreement & Participant’s Waiver: Submission of work automatically waives any claim for damage or loss against ACW, including the officers, members, and employees, unless the damage or loss is the result of the gross negligence of ACW. ACW will exercise reasonable care in handling all entries, but will not assume any liability for loss or damage while in ACW’s possession. Work should be independently insured by the artist.

Usage Rights
The artist retains all copyright interests or claims that they have in their art. By submitting images, you give ACW the right to use and reproduce the images to market and document the exhibition, and to enable the image to be part of an online exhibition.

Artist’s recognition is provided with any use. ACW reserves the right to adjust any deadline(s) as the result of causes beyond its immediate control. Payment of the submission fee indicates acknowledgment of all terms and conditions.

Artwork Pickup
Participating artists who delivered their art in person will pick it up at the Art Center Waco no later than Saturday, January 16th, 2027, during business hours (Sat 10am-2pm)

Works not picked up or collected after 15 days from Saturday, January 16th, 2027, may be deemed abandoned; ACW may donate or dispose of abandoned works at its discretion.

Return of Shipped Artwork
Those who shipped their artwork will make arrangements to have it shipped back with the packaging that it came in. The artist is responsible for the cost and arrangement of shipping. The artist is solely responsible for any time, materials, storage, shipment, or other charges that may arise from inadequate packaging, or delayed or redirected shipments. All artwork must be shipped out by Saturday, January 16th, 2027. 

Requirements for Submission

• Artist bio up to 200 words
• Artist Statement up to 400 words, related to this work
• May submit up to three (3) pieces of artwork
• No minimum size for each artwork, Maximum size up to 72” in any direction
• Wall works can’t exceed 60lbs
• Retail price (ACW commission = 30%, artist keeps 70%)

Submission Fees  
$25

Size Limit
Maximum size up to 72” wide, 72” high, and 72” deep (for 3D works) or less, including the frame. No Minimum size. Pedestals are not available for large-scale works. If your artwork requires a pedestal for elevated viewing, please provide one. Canvas artworks do not need to be framed, it does require hanging wire on the back.

Eligibility
Emerging and established visual artists working in all visual media, living in McLennan, Bell, Falls, Coryell, Limestone, Hill, and Bosque Counties, over the age of 18.

Include the following in your submission

• Name
• Date of Birth
• Address
• Email
• Phone Number
• Artist website
• Instagram

Artwork Guidelines

• All 2D and 3D media are eligible. Sculpture, Painting, Drawing, Printmaking, Photography, Mixed Media, and Ceramic Fine Art are welcome, no digital prints.
• Artwork must have been created in the past 5 years.
• Artworks previously exhibited with ACW are not eligible.
• All work must be original. Work found to be copied from copyrighted work will not be included. No reproductions of original works” (e.g., giclée prints of paintings), while photographic prints are allowed.
• All work must be exhibition-ready to install.
• Acceptable hardware:
  • Securely attached D-rings and braided picture wire (preferred method).
  • French cleats may be used for heavy or large works; if used, the artist must provide both the wall and artwork sides of the cleat with clear installation instructions.
  • Works on panel may include fixed cleats, provided the system is level and stable.
• Not accepted:
  • No sawtooth hangers, clip frames, or keyhole slots (they cannot be used on ACW’s gallery walls).
  • No loose eye hooks, nails, or hanging cords that are not professionally secured.
  • No adhesives, velcro, or command strips.
  • Works on paper, photography, and collage on paper must be framed and ready to hang.

Work that does not adhere to the guidelines, or is deemed not to be a faithful representation of the image submitted, will not be exhibited.

All 2D works must be framed and exhibition ready to install and wall works can’t exceed 60lbs.