Art Show Prospectus: “Climate Co-lab: Art as Inquiry”

1. Title of Show:

“Climate Co-lab: Art as Inquiry”

2. Description and Theme:

Artists for Climate Awareness is calling for 2-D and 3-D artwork to be displayed in a gallery exhibition from during the month of April at the Pillar Arts Alliance Center in the College Mall, Bloomington, IN and online. The exhibition, named “Climate Co-lab: Art as Inquiry”, is displaying 2-D and 3-D artwork in a gallery exhibition during the month of April 2026 at the Pillar Arts Alliance Center in the College Mall, Bloomington, IN. This juried exhibition, a featured part of our Earth Month celebrations, is intended to raise awareness about urgent climate and environmental issues through artistic expression and community engagement. The show represents Artists for Climate Awareness members in several states.

 

All artists are invited to be on display at ACA’s annual Earth Month exhibition. The theme is intended to make climate-related research more accessible through the experience of art. Accepted entries from the general public will be displayed aside works from an artist-scientist event called a hackathon, after a similar process in software development. We believe art is not just a tool for communication, but a powerful form of inquiry and activism.

To learn more about the planned hackathon, please see our Events page.

Art, especially, can turn scientific knowledge into experiences that resonate emotionally—offering insights that facts and figures alone can’t always reach. When these perspectives come together, they open up fresh ways of seeing and help people connect more deeply with complex ideas. Through this collaboration, we transform scientific research into accessible, emotional, and community-rooted narratives. The hackathon is organized by Lily Shan Brushes for a Better Planet, and is sponsored by Artists for Climate Awareness.

This exhibition is intended to raise awareness about urgent climate and environmental issues through artistic expression and community engagement. Artworks will be submitted digitally for judging; the deadline is March 1. Prizes will be awarded. See below to learn more.

The month-long event will host additional climate awareness events, including:

  • “Nature Walk,” a musical and narrative presentation at the Arts Alliance Center; music led by IU School of Music student Thejas Mirle and four composers; narrative provided by Distinguished IU Biology Professor Roger Hangarter
  • Public Art Sand Art Mural in Switchyard Park: Working with the Bloomington Sustainability Commission and a local girl scout troop to have interactive art for the public to engage with climate change  In the form of a  temporary sand art mural at the Switchyard Park Event on April 18, 2026
  • MDWST Fable will create an eco-health public installation to allow for the public to co-create and participate in art and climate awareness
  • In partnership with the Ostrom Workshop and the Environment, Society, and Sustainability Institute, we will host a series of sessions to facilitate collaboration between scientists and artists
  • Working in partnership with local Bloomington Schools and organizations, we aim to use art as a tool to talk and learn about climate change
  • Public workshops with other Environmental Orgs (TBA)

3. Entry Criteria for Work:

a. 40% Thematic Content:

      1. Inspired by nature and/or climate and environmental concerns. The style can range from aesthetically pleasing, traditional, and representational to wildly provocative and abstract. The art should be evocative, educational, and inspirational, possibly including written words. Special consideration will be given to artworks related to the theme of the intersection of science and art.
      2. Communication Impact: Each piece will include a gallery label with a 30-to-200 word written statement about the work, explaining its climate and environmental context. The relationship to the theme can be symbolic or personal, or it can contain a clear external message.

Note: Editors can assist with statements before judging. Email art4climate@carolrhodes.net for help. Artworks should encourage viewers to reflect on their relationship with the environment and actions to protect it.

b. 40% Merits of Art:

    1. Skill and technique; composition; creativity and originality; use of color, form, and space; craftsmanship; and conceptual framework.

c. 20% Sustainability of Art Supplies:

    1. Is the artwork made from sustainable materials? Or is the art itself a use of reusable materials?

4. Prizes, Awards and Award Categories:

  • $500 Best of Show
  • $300 First Place
  • $100 Second Place
  • Honorable Mention gift certificates

5. Fees for Show:

There is an entry fee of $15 for each piece. Entrants must also be current members of Artists for Climate Awareness. Membership verification will be conducted. For status inquiries, email art4climate@carolrhodes.net. Non-members will be instructed on how to join. See section 8 below for How to Submit.

6. Commission:

25% commission to Pillar Arts. Sales will be conducted through the Pillar Arts Alliance Center. Art is encouraged to be for sale but not required.

7. Limitations:

  • Locations: All Artists for Climate Awareness members from all US states are invited to submit.
  • Number of Pieces: Up to three pieces may be submitted per entrant, but only one of them may be accepted.
  • Original work only — photographic work welcome, but no prints of paintings or drawings
  • Size Restrictions: For pieces larger than 4’x4’, please email art4climate@carolrhodes.net.
  • Materials:
    • If shipping a framed work, please use plastic instead of glass.
    • Accepted mediums include any 2-D and 3-D mediums.
    • No part should be toxic, allergenic, or spillable.
    • For artworks to be hung, no sawtooth hangers, please

8. How Work Will Be Viewed by Jurors:

Photographic images sent by the artist.

How to Submit Photographic Images and Verbiage:

  • Photographic images should accurately represent the work.
  • Up to six photographic images are permitted per piece. (This enables judges to get a good view of the work.)
  • Format: JPG or PNG
  • Exclude the frame from the digital image
  • How to Submit: 
    1. Upload images at: https://artistsforclimateawareness.org/submit-art-as-inquiry/ (OK to ignore security warning if you get it– this is because it isn’t public yet.)
    2. Send a written description (30-200 words) describing each of the works’ climate/environmental theme(s) to art4climate@carolrhodes.net. If you need help writing, please let us know. We do not want the writing to be a barrier to entering.
      —Please state the size and medium of the final piece.
    3. Remit $15 for entry fee HERE.
Submit Entry Fee Here

9. How Accepted Work Will Be Received at the Gallery Location (April 2 likely; date to be determined):

  • By personally delivering work to Pillar Arts Alliance Center on April 2, 2024.(Timeframe to be announced.)
  • By shipping (if long-distance) to Carol Rhodes, who will deliver the artwork on behalf of the artist. Include $30 or a return shipping label. (See instructions below.) Deadline for shipped work to be received – March 31.
Shipping Instructions for Accepted Art:
  • Use standardized art shipping boxes like those offered at Airfloat Systems, or work with experienced art shippers like FedEx.
  • Ship to: Artists for Climate Awareness c/o Carol Rhodes, 1317 E. Fairwood Dr., Bloomington, Indiana 47408– to be received by March 31.
  • Return shipping options: Include either a prepaid return shipping label or payment for $30. See below:
    –If return shipping label,     you can request a prepaid return shipping label at the point of service at USPS, UPS, and FedEx locations. When you visit the service location, inform the staff that you need a prepaid return shipping label. (This can be done online also.)
    –If payment is made, send using one of the following methods:     a) Mail a check to Artists for Climate Awareness at above address, or b) PayPalMe to https://paypal.me/art4climate or via Zelle. (For Zelle, contact art4climate@carolrhodes.net). If work is sold, check will be discarded or a refund will be made.
Shipping Instructions for Accepted Art:
  • Use standardized art shipping boxes like those offered at Airfloat Systems, or work with experienced art shippers like FedEx.
  • Ship to: Artists for Climate Awareness c/o Carol Rhodes, 1317 E. Fairwood Dr., Bloomington, Indiana 47408– to be received by March 31.
  • Return shipping options: Include either a prepaid return shipping label or payment for $30. See below:
    –If return shipping label,     you can request a prepaid return shipping label at the point of service at USPS, UPS, and FedEx locations. When you visit the service location, inform the staff that you need a prepaid return shipping label. (This can be done online also.)
    –If payment is made, send using one of the following methods:     a) Mail a check to Artists for Climate Awareness at above address, or b) PayPalMe to https://paypal.me/art4climate or via Zelle. (For Zelle, contact art4climate@carolrhodes.net). If work is sold, check will be discarded or a refund will be made.

10. Calendar:

  • Deadline for Electronic Submission: March 2
  • Judging: March 3-15
  • Decision/Notification to Artists: March 15-18
  • Out-of-Area Works Received: by April 1
  • Hanging/Take-in at Arts Alliance Center:  April 2 (still to be confirmed), time TBD
  • Artwork Installation: By close of business April 2 (still to be confirmed)
  • Reception: Sunday, April 12 at 3 pm (date to be confirmed)
  • Pickup by Artists: (date to be confirmed)
  • Shipping Back to Artists (if needed): May 1-5

11. Insurance Coverage:

Insure your artwork for shipping damage. Artists for Climate Awareness and Arts Alliance Center are insured for liability damage.

12. Photography Release:

By entering the show, you agree to give the sponsors permission to photograph the work or use the artist’s photo in a catalog or for marketing the exhibition.

13. Contact for Questions or Concerns:

Carol Rhodes, at art4climate@carolrhodes.net

 

Sponsored by:

 

Bloomingfoods Wheat shaft logo
Midwest Color Printing Logo
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Bloomington Fine Art Supplies logo
Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau Logo