Montgomery History, Montgomery County’s historical society, has served residents and the region through its research library, adult programs, educational activities, publications, exhibits, and conferences since 1944.
Montgomery County is celebrating its 250th anniversary on September 6. September 2026 also marks Montgomery History's move to its new home, the 1930’s Art Deco Farmers Banking and Trust Co. building in Rockville.
To celebrate the Montgomery History Center and the County’s 250th, Montgomery History invites Montgomery County artists to submit their work to our inaugural art exhibit titled, "MoCo at 250: Then and Now."
We encourage artists to reflect on 250 years of our people and our places to submit work that will be displayed in our History Center exhibit hall. We seek art that highlights our flora, fauna, landscapes, and communities - along with work that meditates on where we've been and where we're heading.
What local people, events, stories, and places inspire you? We encourage you to use our library, collections, and oral history databases.
This art exhibit is in dialogue with our “Unfinished Revolution” publication which uplifts the stories and perspectives previously excluded from Montgomery County’s historical record. You can use available published issues for inspiration as well.
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Key Exhibition Dates
- Submission Deadline: Sunday, August 2, 2026 11:59pm EST via Jotform
- We may close submissions earlier than August 2 if we receive sufficient entries.
- Artist Notification: by Friday, August 21, 2026
- Art Drop-off: Tuesday, September 1 (in Rockville)
- Exhibit: September 6, 2026 - November 15, 2026 (subject to change due to construction timelines)
- Artist Reception: Saturday, September 12
- Note: Art must be available for the duration of the show.
Juried by: TBA
Exhibit Guidelines
- Artists must reside in Montgomery County.
- High school students (includes those in eighth grade in the 2025-2026 school year), college students, hobby and professional artists are all welcome to submit existing or new work.
- Artists may enter up to three works. You must submit each piece individually.
- Art must be 2-D (e.g., prints, photographs, paintings, collages, and quilts).
- For ease of installation: clip frames are not allowed. Art must have hanging wire (no sawtooth) that is attached to the frame, not the backing.
- Montgomery History and select support staff will install art.
- Canvasses may be gallery wrapped with no visible staples.
- Work must not weigh more than 15 pounds. If an existing piece weighs more, please contact mocoart250@MontgomeryHistory.org to see if an allowance can be made.
- Dimensions must not exceed a sum of 52 inches (width + height), with the longest dimension not exceeding 32 inches. If an existing piece is larger, please contact mocoart250@MontgomeryHistory.org to see if an allowance can be made.
- The exhibit will be viewed by all ages so we ask artists to refrain from nudity and profanity.
- Montgomery History will not sell art on artists’ behalf but will include artist contact details in the label so that visitors may inquire directly if artists wish to sell.
- Work will be selected based on its 1) adherence to theme and 2) dialogue with other pieces.
- Use of generative AI is not allowed for this submission.
Liability
All work displayed in our space is insured by Montgomery History while on the premises. Montgomery History is not responsible for transportation or the insurance during transport of the work to and from the premises.
While some situations are covered by Montgomery History's insurance policy, artists exhibiting may choose to carry additional property insurance. While under the care and handling by Montgomery History or support staff, if work is stolen, damaged or broken due to our negligence we will replace or repair the artwork at a value of up to $250.
Digital Submission Deadline
Sunday, August 2, 2026 11:59pm EST via Jotform. You must fill out this form for each piece. We will review submission on a rolling basis so those with existing work are encouraged to submit early.
Submissions must reflect the work that you will exhibit in the MoCo250 Art Show. You will be asked to provide the artwork title, artist name, dimensions, year, medium, installation requirements, intent to sell, and contact details.
Submission Feedback
We expect to notify artists of the results by August 21, 2026. Instructions for drop-off of accepted artworks will be emailed to artists.
Questions? Please email mocoart250@MontgomeryHistory.org
We look forward to receiving your work!