Call for Proposals:
2027 Exhibitions at the Jamaica Plain Branch Library

The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch Library invite New England artists to propose exhibitions for the 2027 season in the branch library’s public gallery. Six two-month shows run January through December: five solo exhibitions and one themed group exhibition.

Who can apply

•   Artists based anywhere in New England.

•   Recent, original two-dimensional work.

•   Solo proposals and group proposals are both welcome.

•   Applied before and weren’t selected? Please apply again. Past applications are not carried forward, so send a complete new submission.

•   Exhibited with us before? You are eligible again two years after your show closed.

Mediums

Five solo shows are selected across drawing, mixed media and collage, painting, photography, and printmaking. One themed group show is selected; mixed mediums are welcome in group proposals.

The space

The gallery is on the lower level of the Jamaica Plain Branch Library, 30 South Street. The hanging wall is approximately 20 feet wide by 4 feet high.

All work must be framed or gallery-wrapped and ready to hang with e.g. wire on the back. Sawtooth hangers and unwired work cannot be hung. Maximum weight per piece: 20 lbs.

What we are looking for

There is no required theme. The branch serves a broad and diverse neighborhood, and the gallery is passed by everyone who uses the lower level, so we look for work that rewards attention from children, teens, and adults alike.

Content guidelines

The gallery sits inside a public library used daily by children, teens, and families. Work should be appropriate for that setting. We do not exhibit work containing explicit sexual content or graphic violence, or work that denigrates a group on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or age.

Difficult subjects handled thoughtfully are welcome — the standard is context and audience, not subject matter. The Friends and the Branch reserve the right to decline an individual piece at install; if that happens, we will tell you in advance and work with you on a substitution.

Sales

Work may be offered for sale and prices are listed on the exhibition checklist only. The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch Library and the Boston Public Library do not broker sales, process payment, or take any commission. Purchase inquiries are passed directly to the artist. Sold work remains on the wall until the exhibition closes. 

Before you start

Have these ready — the form takes about ten minutes once you do.

• One PDF portfolio of recent original 2-D work

• One PDF résumé or CV

• A description of your proposed show, 100 words or less

Selection

A five-member committee reviews every proposal and selects the season. The committee includes representatives of the Central Boston Public Library, the Jamaica Plain Branch, the Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch Library, and standing members of the local business and arts community.

Selected artists receive an opening reception planned and hosted by the Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch Library.

Questions

Email gallery@friendsjplibrary.org.