Calls for Artists
In the Shaira Ali Gallery
Between Here and There
CALLING ARTISTS OF ALL AGES! Between Here and There is a multimedia exhibit presented by art centers in two neighboring towns: Arlington Center for the Arts (ACA) and Lexington Arts and Crafts Society (LexArt). This unique exhibit brings our artistic communities together with work from both youth (ages 5–15) and adults (16+).
We want YOUR experience of the place you live through artwork that interprets the five senses - sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. What does your community feel like to you?
Is it the sight of colorful fall leaves at your favorite park? The smell of woodsmoke on a winter night? Enjoying the taste of your favorite "town treat" on a summer day? The sound of spring birds in your neighborhood? We are looking for works that capture the essence of how we experience the world: the rhythm of a sound, the brilliance of a sight, or the nostalgia of a scent or taste.
Featured Artwork: ACA Student Artwork (left) and Lexington Greenery by Lisa Nelson (right)
Submission Categories + Eligibility
Artwork in this joint show will be displayed at either LexArt’s Molly Nye Gallery or ACA’s Shaira Ali Gallery. Together, artists will show what makes our neighboring towns exciting and engaging places to build community.
This exhibition celebrates two distinct groups of creators. Please choose the category that fits you:
Adult Artists (Ages 16+) | Submission Fee: $30 for up to three (3) pieces
What we’re looking for: Technical skill and deep conceptual exploration of the senses.
Youth Artists (Ages 5–15) | Submission Fee: $15 for up to three (3) pieces
What we're looking for: Creative sparks and personal stories of how you "sense" the world.
Artists are encouraged to submit works that interpret the five senses. While we love art that features Lexington and Arlington specifically, we welcome all submissions that explore sensory experiences!
Important Dates
Submission Deadline: Thursday, December 3, 2026
Selected artwork announced: Friday, December 11, 2026
Artwork Drop-off at ACA: Monday, December 14 - Saturday, December 19, 2026
Artwork Drop-off at LexArt: Monday, January 4 - Tuesday, January 5, 2027
Exhibitions Open: Saturday, January 9, 2027
LexArt Opening Reception: Sunday, January 10, 2027, 2:00-4:00 pm
ACA Opening Reception: Thursday, January 29, 2027, 6:00-7:30 pm
Exhibitions Close: Sunday, March 7, 2027
Artwork Pick-up: Monday, March 8, 2027
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In the Hallway Gallery
We do not currently have any open calls for our Hallway Gallery. Please check back soon!
Offsite Exhibit Program
Interested in exhibiting your work at local businesses and venues around Arlington, MA? The Arlington Center for the Arts has well-established relationships with many local business owners and cultural partners who are looking to display locally-made artwork in their public spaces. The ACA Offsite Exhibit Program is an artist bank that the ACA manages and presents to our local partners annually, and arranges exhibitions of selected artists work in these spaces for 3-6 months at a time.
How It Works
Our exhibits team reviews the submissions on a rolling basis as requests are made from the community for local art.
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Artists who are selected from this bank will be contacted by our Operations Manager, Pam Shanley who will review the opportunity for exhibition, and if accepted by the artist, will coordinate the artwork selection, installation, publicity, and reception for each artist.
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Submitting to the Offsite Exhibit Program does not guarantee an exhibition opportunity.
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Once an artist submits their work to the form, they are added permanently to the bank, but they are invited to reach out to ACA staff after a period of one (1) year if they have updates to their portfolio and have not yet been selected.
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Opportunities for exhibition range from a few pieces of art by one artist, to a large-scale exhibition featuring multiple artists.
How to Submit
Please complete the form below and be prepared to provide between 5-10 images of your work.
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Preference will be given to local artists.
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Exhibit opportunities are available for a range of large (10’ and under) medium (48” and under) and small (12” and under) sizes, and price points. All types of 2-D work is acceptable (painting, printmaking, photography, drawings, etc) as well as 3-D work that can be installed on a wall (fiber art, ceramics, etc).
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Unfortunately we cannot accommodate free-standing 3-D work at this time.
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All exhibited work will need to be ready-to-hang (wired, no saw hooks) prior to installation.
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The ACA takes a 30% commission and Artists will receive a 70% commission on all artwork sold during their placement.
Visit our Offsite Exhibits Page for more information. Any questions should be sent via email to ACA's Operations Director, Pam Shanley, at pam@acarts.org.
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