Sanctuary Home - Living Undocumented

Date: 15 January – 26 March

RFP Opens September 25, 2026

RFP Closes October 23, 2026 (midnight)

Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning seeks artists that are part of the undocumented immigrant community in whichever capacity they identify, to show original work in Sanctuary Home - Living Undocumented, curated by Karla Perez, as a part of Queens Artists First, our annual exhibition, exclusive to artists who are Queens residents. Sanctuary Home - Living Undocumented opens Friday, January 15, 2027, at the Jamaica Arts Center, running through Friday, March 26, 2027. Sanctuary Home - Living Undocumented is part of JCAL’s Visual Voices curatorial initiative.

Concept:

Sanctuary can be regarded as a spatial practice that determines the limits of governmental authority on specific spaces. In the United States "sanctuary policies" have been crafted to cover cities, buildings, and houses of worship. These policies are constantly challenged and offer no universal definition. Within the urban scale lies the home, a space that separates us from the public realm of life. For undocumented immigrants the home's physicality the door, the window, the clock on the wall, the chairs around the dining-room table create a legal protective barrier. The battle is every day, psychologically, emotionally, quotidian, a silent wrestling of belonging an expectation of violation and trespassing. A knock on the door, could be the one that raids and destroys the sanctity of home, of every piece imagined or bought in the store, the bed, pencil, lamp, the spirit that only appears in that corner of the room, floorboards, walls, the morning sun that filters through the curtains at 8 o' clock. The banging that echoes "go back home."

This open call intends to highlight artists that are part of the undocumented immigrant community in whichever capacity that explore how the “home” is affected by this political category of other. Names and/or identifying information will not be made public if the artist wishes to stay anonymous to protect their privacy.

En Los Estados Unidos, se han creado “políticas de santuario” que cubren ciudades, 

edificios y lugares de culto. Estas políticas son objeto de constantes desafíos y carecen de una definición universal. Dentro de la escala urbana se encuentra el hogar, un espacio que nos separa de la vida pública. Para los inmigrantes indocumentados, la materialidad del hogar la puerta, la ventana, el reloj en la pared, las sillas alrededor del comedor crean una barrera protectora legal. La batalla es de todos los días, psicológica, y emocional una lucha silenciosa por pertenecer. Hay una expectativa de violación e intrusión. Un golpe en la puerta podría ser el que trae la redada que destruye la santidad del hogar y todo lo que este contiene, cada objeto imaginado o comprado en una tienda, la cama, el lápiz, la lámpara, el espíritu que solo se manifiesta en aquel rincón, el piso de madera, las paredes, el sol que se filtra por las cortinas a las ocho de la mañana. Ese golpeteo que resuena con el mensaje “regresa a tu casa.”

Esta convocatoria busca destacar a artistas que formen parte de la comunidad de inmigrantes 

indocumentados dentro de cualquier capacidad que exploren cómo el “hogar” se ve afectado por esta categoría política de “otro”. No se harán públicos los nombres o información identificativa del artista si desea mantener el anonimato para proteger su privacidad

Materiality:

All mediums (painting, sculpture, video, installation, etc.) are welcome and there is no restriction on the size of artwork. Artworks will be selected based on how well they reflect or respond to the exhibition concept.

Process:

Interested artists submit their work solely through the JCAL Submittable portal. Each artist may submit a maximum of 10 works for consideration. All artwork must be install-ready. Selected artists receive a $250 stipend.

About Visual Voices:

Visual Voices is a three-year curatorial fellowship that provides emerging and mid-career curators with financial support, professional experience, and mentorship. By providing artists with a radically accessible platform and financial support, Visual Voices reflects JCAL’s conviction that a diverse community isn’t defined top-down by a cultural institution, but rather by affording agency and power to a community to define itself. Visual Voices fellows curate a majority of the exhibitions at JCAL, ensuring JCAL consistently features the unique creativity and full cultural diversity of Queens. Curators consistently platform the work of BIIPOC visual artists by offering them opportunities to experiment and take creative risks, and by connecting broader communities with their work.

Eligibility:

Solo artists only; no collectives or collaborations will be considered.

Current Queens, NY residents only. 

Selected artists will need to provide proof of Queens' residency. Artists under 18 may participate with parent or guardian consent, with the minimum age being 13.

Application Materials (PDF or Word Only):

Only one application per artist will be accepted. A completed application must contain elements detailed below. Maximum file size is 100MB per file.

A. Artist Statement

Please introduce yourself, your story, and describe the motivations, methods, and contexts which shape your work. (500 words max).

B. Works for Consideration

· Submit up to 10 individual works, that are original to you, as follows:

· Work Details: Title, date, medium of work, and dimensions of the work;

· Short description of each work (100 words max);

· Special exhibition directions, if appropriate, per work (100 words max).

C. CV / Artist Resume (optional)

Include a CV or Artist Resume (if available)

Work will be reviewed based on quality and the completeness of the accompanying application. You may be contacted with follow-up questions regarding the nature of the work and the manner of intended exhibition. Artists are responsible for transporting and collecting all artwork to and from the institution. JCAL reserves the right to not exhibit artwork that does not meet display criteria or does not align with the institution’s mission. Submissions received after midnight on October 23, 2026, will not be considered. 

About JCAL:

JCAL’s core service area is Southeast Queens. We welcome artists, learners, and audiences to the Jamaica Arts Center and the Jamaica Performing Arts Center, both in downtown Jamaica, and to partner sites, such as the public schools and senior centers in Queens. We also welcome artists, learners, and audiences to partner projects at the Red Wall Art Gallery at Resorts World New York City, Terminal 6 at John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Greater Nexus, operated by Greater Jamaica Development Corporation.

When selecting artists, we give priority to those who live or practice in Southeast Queens, followed by artists from throughout the “world’s borough,” and then from the Greater New York City area and beyond. Our arts and education programs similarly aim to “super-serve” Queens audiences—and to welcome everyone to downtown Jamaica.

JCAL welcomes artists of all races, colors, religions, languages, gender identities, sexual orientations, national origins, ages, disabilities, and socioeconomic and marital statuses. Those who identify as part of underrepresented communities, and whose work centers on the artist’s personal experiences and observations, are especially welcome and encouraged to apply.

Please note:

This is a request to submit artwork for exhibition purposes only. Not an offer for purchase. JCAL does not offer feedback in any form on submitted works or applications.

Strength Courage & Wisdom 

RFP Opens:  August 28, 2026

RFP Closes:  October 8, 2026 11:59 PM

Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning (JCAL) seeks women-identifying artists specializing in original spoken word, poetry, storytelling, dance, and music to perform in Strength Courage & Wisdom, our annual event celebrating Women’s History Month, on Saturday, March 27, 2027, 8pm, at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center (153-10 Jamaica Avenue).

Strength Courage & Wisdom showcases the full range of women's voices, from a natural tongue that comes in like a lamb or the boom of chosen expression that has the roar of a lion. Conceived in 2024 by JCAL's Director of Program Operations Wendy Arimah Berot, who serves as the event’s curator, Strength Courage & Wisdom overflows with strong, sustaining feminine energy. Every aspect of the evening is specifically crafted to amplify the power of women, from front-of-house to backstage to everything in between.

In a time when innocent actions are being questioned, women’s bodies are being governed, and public positions are being unnecessarily re-evaluated. This year’s theme speaks to reclaiming peace & joy. How do you create and maintain your peace and joy? All expressions/voices are welcome. Artists selected for this event will receive a $250 stipend*. 

Eligibility:

• Current resident of NYC Metro (Long Island included). Priority given to Queens residents.
• Solo artists or duos* only; groups, collectives or ensembles will not be considered.
• Artists must be 18 and over to participate 
• Please note that this call is for performance artists only. We are not accepting visual artists at this time.

Submissions are accepted through the Submittable platform only. Applications sent via standard email, USPS or dropped off in person will not be considered.

Only one application per artist will be accepted. A completed application must contain all elements detailed below. The maximum file size is 100MB per file.

A. Artist Bio (100 words max)

B. Artist Statement

Introduce yourself and how the submitted materials relate to the theme “peace & joy”. (300 words max) 

C. Works for Consideration

Submit at least 2 and up to 4 individual works authored by you, as follows:

• Title, date conceived (if applicable) and last date performed. (New material is welcome)
• Short description of each work (100 words max); and how it relates to the theme of peace & joy
• Special performance elements, if appropriate; instruments, music, video, fabric etc. 

Work will be reviewed based on quality and cohesiveness. Incomplete submissions will not be considered. You may be contacted with follow-up questions regarding the nature of the work and the manner of intended performance.

JCAL reserves the right to not select work that does not align with the institution’s mission. Submissions received after 11:59 PM on October 8, 2026, will not be considered. 

JCAL welcomes artists of all races, colors, religions, languages, gender identities, sexual orientations, national origins, ages, disabilities, and socioeconomic and marital statuses. Those who identify as part of underrepresented communities, and whose work centers on the artist’s personal experiences and observations, are especially welcome and encouraged to apply.

Please note:

JCAL does not offer feedback in any form on applications and/or submitted works.

*Duos will be paid as a unit not individually. 

About JCAL

Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning (JCAL), founded in 1972, is a multidisciplinary arts center based in the diverse community of Southeast Queens. Our mission is devoted to offering quality visual and performing arts and to providing accessible education programs to encourage participation in the arts.

JCAL’s core service area is Southeast Queens. We welcome artists, learners, and audiences to the Jamaica Arts Center and the Jamaica Performing Arts Center, both in downtown Jamaica, and to partner sites, such as the public schools and senior centers in Queens. We also welcome artists, learners, and audiences to partner projects at the Red Wall Art Gallery at Resorts World New York City, Terminal 6 at John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Greater Nexus, operated by Greater Jamaica Development Corporation.

When selecting artists, we give priority to those who live or practice in Southeast Queens, followed by artists from throughout the “world’s borough,” and then from the Greater New York City area and beyond. Our arts and education programs similarly aim to “super-serve” Queens audiences—and to welcome everyone to downtown Jamaica.

JCAL is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm and is closed on major holidays. For additional information, call JCAL at 718-658-7400 or visit www.JCAL.org.

Contact: programs@JCAL.org