2026 North American Print Biennial

About the Open Call

The Boston Printmakers 2026 North American Print Biennial presents the best in contemporary and traditional printmaking, continuing its legacy as one of the most prestigious events in the field. The mission of the Boston Printmakers, founded in 1947, is to promote public knowledge of printmaking, encourage and support artists, and foster excellence and innovation. The juror for this biennial is Esther Adler, Curator in the Department of Drawings and Prints at The Museum of Modern Art, New York. The exhibition will be held at the 808 Gallery, Boston University, located at 808 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, Massachusetts. Prizes include $10,000 in juror-designated purchase prizes and materials awards, with purchase prizes entering permanent collections at institutions such as the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and the Boston Public Library. The exhibition also generates significant sales. Eligibility is open to North American artists aged 18 and older. Submissions must be original, innovative works in any printmaking media, completed between 2023-2026, and not previously exhibited in a Boston Printmakers show. Artists may submit up to three digital images. Specific framing requirements apply (black metal or wooden frames, Plexiglas, white/off-white mat, ready to hang with wire/D-rings), though alternative presentations may be described and requested. Shipped work must be sent in sturdy, re-usable packaging, pre-paid via UPS with a pre-paid return-shipping label and insurance. A 35% commission is charged on all sales. Boston University will insure accepted works from delivery to pick-up at 35% less than the selling price; artists must insure work in transit. Filing the entry form constitutes agreement to all conditions, including permission for promotional image use. Entries are submitted online via www.callforentry.org. Upload requirements: JPEG, min 1920 pixels on longer side, 72 ppi/dpi, max 5 MB. Entry fees are $35 USD for members (with coupon code) and $50 USD for non-members, non-refundable, for up to 3 works. Notifications will be emailed before April 1, 2026. For further information, visit www.bostonprintmakers.org or email biennial2026@bostonprintmakers.org. The application period is from July 15, 2025, through February 15, 2026. Exhibition dates are September 8 – November 21, 2026.

What is Offered

$10,000 is available in juror-designated purchase prizes and materials awards. The Boston Printmakers’ purchase prizes are placed into permanent collections at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; the Art Complex Museum, Duxbury, MA; Boston Athenaeum; and the Boston Printmakers Collection at the Boston Public Library. Additionally, this show generates a large number of sales through patron and public purchases.

Requirements

North American artists 18 years and older are eligible to enter. Original, innovative works in all printmaking media are eligible. Photographs, offset reproductions, or reproductions of artwork originally produced in another medium will not be considered. Submitted work may not have been exhibited in any other Boston Printmakers exhibition. Artists may submit up to three digital images of original prints completed within the time frame of 2023-2026. All delivered work must match the juried image; substitutions of accepted works will not be allowed. All work must be framed in simple (e.g. Nielsen) black metal or black wooden frames no more than ½” thick on the front edge. All frames should have Plexiglas, and a standard white or off-white window mat, minimum 3 inches wide. Your print must be securely mounted to the backing board. Frames must be ready to hang with wire or D-rings. Place your framed print into a clear plastic bag before boxing. Where appropriate, due to size or aesthetics, alternative presentation may be requested and must be fully described in your entry on the CaFE site. Also, please include in your submission a clearly defined description of any special hanging or installation instructions.

How to Apply

All entries must be submitted online at www.callforentry.org. Click here to apply: https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=15866. Review all entry information carefully before submitting. No changes can be made once submitted, including price revisions.