Open Call

New art for New York.

Why go

The exhibition brings together a carefully curated cohort of early-career artists selected from approximately 1,000 applicants through a rigorous process involving 50 industry professionals. The works collectively examine urgent themes of migration, cultural identity, labor exploitation, and healing across diverse mediums and perspectives.

What to expect

A range of immersive installations including darkened video chambers, ceramic sculptures, melting sugar garments, textile collaborations, suspended kite paintings, and an outdoor gilded cooler pyramid. Works span video, performance documentation, sculpture, and mixed media across multiple gallery spaces.

Things to know

• The Shed's Open Call program receives approximately 1,000 applications annually from New York-based artists (https://artandponder.substack.c
• Curator Déjà Aaliyah Belardo selected 12 artists and collectives to respond to the theme "Portals" in the context of New York City (https://
• Artists in the exhibition include Zain Alam, AYDO, Marwa Eltahir, Mel Corchado, Patricia Encarnación, Laurena Finéus, Lily Yang and Honglei
• The Shed's Open Call program provides commissioning fees up to $15,000, production support, and resources for early-career artists (https://
• The exhibition addresses recurring themes of diaspora, displacement, cultural identity, spiritual practice, labor exploitation, and postcolo