Cultures Around Us: Call for Artists
Deadline to Apply: November 15, 2025
Event Date: May 3, 2026
Location: Artist With a Purpose Gallery,
100 South 4th Street, Leesburg, FL 34748

 

About the Project
“Cultures Around Us” is a community-centered exhibition celebrating the diversity and creativity of Central Florida through the visual arts. This project unites artists from various cultural backgrounds to create, connect, and share their stories.

Funded in part by United Arts of Central Florida, this initiative supports artists in developing new works that reflect their heritage, identity, and lived experiences. Selected artists will receive reimbursement for art supplies used to create their pieces and will also lead a mini-lesson or cultural art demonstration, inviting the community to explore new traditions and artistic techniques.

The project is led by Belina Wright (Haitian-American artist and educator) and Semeion Richardson (Gallery Owner and Community Arts Advocate), who share a mission to make art accessible, inclusive, and reflective of the communities they serve.

Eligibility & Who Can Apply
This opportunity is open to emerging and established visual artists residing in Central Florida from Asian, Hispanic/Latino, Black/African American, Caucasian, and Indigenous communities, as well as artists with disabilities or special needs.

Artists must already be creating work that celebrates, preserves, or explores their cultural heritage or lived experiences. The exhibition highlights artists with an existing body of culturally inspired work rather than those developing new cultural themes solely for this event.

Accepted Mediums: Painting, sculpture, mixed media, photography, textile, digital, and installation art.

Grant Compliance Notice:
The Cultures Around Us exhibition is supported by grant funding that prohibits the use of funds for religious programming. Artwork and presentations must focus on cultural heritage and community identity, not religious worship or promotion.

Selected artists will also be required to sign gallery agreements for the exhibition outlining terms for artwork sales. The final exhibition will be held at Artist With a Purpose Gallery, and a 30% gallery fee will apply to all artwork sold during the event.

What Selected Artists Receive
Supply Reimbursement: Reimbursement for eligible art supplies used to create new artwork (based on approved receipts and expense documentation).
Professional Exposure: Artwork featured in a major community exhibition.
Artist Feature: Inclusion in press materials, social media campaigns, and the printed event program.
Community Engagement: Opportunity to lead a 10–15 minute mini-lesson or demonstration highlighting your cultural technique or heritage.
Exhibition Opportunity: Final exhibition held at Artist With a Purpose Gallery, Central Florida (30% gallery fee on artwork sold).

Artist Expectations
Selected artists will:

Create three original works inspired by their cultural heritage, identity, or lived experience.
Attend artist meet-ups and planning sessions leading up to the exhibition.
Host a mini-lesson or demonstration during the May 3, 2026 event or at a pre-event meet-up.
Submit a short bio, artist statement, and high-quality images for promotional use.
Deliver final artwork by April 1, 2026.

Artist Agreement & Reimbursement Terms
Selected artists will sign a written agreement outlining responsibilities, reimbursement procedures, and participation expectations before beginning project activities.

Reimbursement Structure:

Artists will purchase approved art materials for the creation of their exhibition pieces.
After submitting an itemized expense report and original receipts, artists will be reimbursed up to the pre-approved funding limit.
Only materials directly related to the production of artwork for Cultures Around Us are eligible for reimbursement.

Check-Ins:
Artists will attend scheduled check-ins (in-person or virtual) to share progress, receive feedback, and maintain collaboration.

Non-Completion Clause:
If an artist withdraws, fails to meet participation requirements, or does not complete the required artwork or event commitments, they will not be eligible for reimbursement.

Selection Criteria
Artists will be selected by a panel of local gallery and museum directors based on:

Artistic quality and originality
Representation of cultural heritage or identity
Clarity of concept and community engagement potential
Commitment to collaboration and participation

Agreement & Participation Commitment
Purpose of Reimbursement:
Reimbursements are provided exclusively to cover material costs for artwork created for the Cultures Around Us exhibition and related community engagement activities.

Participation Requirement:
Artists agree to attend all collaborative meet-ups (held the third Friday of each month beginning December 2025), complete their artwork by April 1, 2026, and present a mini-lesson or demonstration at the event.

Non-Completion Clause:
Artists who withdraw or fail to meet participation requirements will forfeit reimbursement eligibility as outlined in the signed agreement.