Emancipation: The Rise of Womanhood

Date: 16th Jan - 13th March

RFP Open October 14, 2025

RFP Close November 21, 2025 (midnight)

Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning seeks female artists who are Queens residents to show original work in “Emancipation: The Rise of Womanhood,” an exhibition curated by Alma Leya. “Emancipation” opens Friday, January 16, 2026, at the Jamaica Arts Center, running through Friday, March 13, 2026. "Emancipation: The rise of Womanhood" is part of JCAL’s Visual Voices curatorial initiative.

Concept:

The concept of "Emancipation" is for each female participating artist to reflect their own perspectives on womanhood through their work. Inspiration may come from their own life, from someone they are closely attached to, or from idols or role models. Their inspiration doesn’t have to be restricted to only one event or situation; they can reflect different events through their work.

Materiality:

Mediums for “Emancipation” aren’t limited to painting; sculpture and installations are welcome. There is no restriction on the size of artwork. Those artworks that best reflect the exhibition concept will be selected.

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. Participating 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 November 21, 2025, 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:

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 Open October 10, 2025

RFP Close November 18, 2025 (midnight)

Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning seeks artists specializing in spoken word, poetry, storytelling, and dance to perform in Strength  Courage & Wisdom, our annual event celebrating Women’s History Month, on Saturday, March 28, 2026, 8pm, at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center (153-10 Jamaica Avenue).

Strength Courage & Wisdom exposes the range of women's voices. Whether it's their natural tongue that comes in like a lamb or the boom of their chosen expression that has the roar of a lion. Conceived in 2024 by JCAL’s Director of Program Operations, Wendy Arimah Berot, who also serves as the event’s curator, Strength Courage & Wisdom overflows with strong, sustaining female energy. Every aspect of the evening has a woman at the helm, from the front of house to backstage and everything in between.

This year, we’ll explore all angles of “courage to love.” We encourage women artists only to submit artistic interpretations of what that means. Regardless of the type of love: self, family, career, romantic, or current station in life etc. What courageous steps have you taken to love? All expressions/voices are welcome. Please note this call is for performance artists only. We are not accepting visual artists at this time. Artists selected for this event will each receive a $250 stipend. 

Eligibility:

• Current resident of NYC Metro (Long Island included). Priority given to Queens residents.
• Solo artists or duos only; no collectives or collaborations will be considered.
• No Artists under 21 may participate.

Application Materials, Video only, (Please do not send hard copies of poems, stories, or spoken word pieces.)

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

Introduce yourself and how the submitted materials relate to the theme “Courage to Love”.(500 words max) 

B. Works for Consideration

Submit up to 4 individual works that are original to you, as follows:

Title, date conceived (if applicable) and last date performed. 

Short description of each work (100 words max);

Special performance elements directions, if appropriate.

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 performance.

JCAL reserves the right to not select work that does not align with the institution’s mission. Submissions received after midnight on November 18, 2025 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.