Call for Entries - Palmer Museum of Art

Dreaming American Futures: Invitational 250 is a celebrational juried show that will be on view at the Palmer Museum from June 13–November 29, 2026.

The call for the juried show is open to the following individuals:

Penn State students, faculty, and staff (all campuses)

Penn State alumni who reside in the state of Pennsylvania

Local artists (Must be 18 or older and live within a 50-mile radius of State College, PA)

We invite works of art that address one or more of the following future-themed ideas:

Activating change

Bridging the divide

Pursuit of happiness

A more perfect union

Submitted works can be 2d (paintings, photographs, works on paper, original prints); 3d (sculpture); or new media (generated by digital technologies). We cannot accommodate mixed-media or video installations. Submissions must include an artist statement (not more than 125 words) explaining how the works relate to the themes of the exhibition.

To Enter

Entry for the 250th is through the CaFÉ call for entries tool. Applicants must first sign-up for a free account on CaFÉ (Call for Entry) before submitting their entries.

Register for CaFÉ here before submitting entries below.

SUBMIT ENTRIES HERE.

Applicants may submit up to three different works for consideration (one image each).

For example, Claude Monet could submit: an image of Rouen Cathedral, an image of a haystack, and an image of waterlilies.

Work must have been completed in the last 18 months. Applications will be due February 15, 2026. There is no entry fee.

Accepted artists will be notified by March 15, 2026.

Artists are expected to deliver works in person or via mail to the Palmer in early May 2026.

Jurors

FOLAYEMI WILSON

Artist and Associate Dean for Access and Equity, College of Arts and Architecture at Penn State

JANINE YORIMOTO BOLDT

Curator of American Art, Palmer Museum of Art

ROBERTO LUGO

Philadelphia artist and Penn State Alumnus, Class of 2014 (Master of Fine Arts)

LORI FISHER

Director, Bellefonte Art Museum

MALAVI SURESH

Class of 2028, Palmer Museum Undergraduate Curatorial Intern

Questions? Contact palmerinfo@psu.edu.