Call to Artists!
Boxed In/Break Out 2026
Telfair Museums invites local artists to submit proposals for the 11th annual Boxed In/Break Out!
Telfair Museums is excited to offer local Chatham County artists an opportunity to feature their art in the Jepson Center! The call to artists seeks entries for Boxed In/Break Out, a museum-sponsored public art installation at Telfair Museums that involves activating six windows at the Jepson Center that face Barnard Street. The artist chosen would have a detailed plan for how to utilize all six windows in a cohesive manner through self-created art that fulfills the following criteria: creativity, originality, feasibility, visual appeal, as well as resourcefulness and suitability in the space. The project will be displayed from June 5, 2026 – May 9, 2027.
Boxed In/Break Out is intended to highlight and provide an exhibition opportunity for the work of a local artist through public display, promotional materials, and an artist talk. In addition to museum-sponsored promotion, the artist will receive a $1500 honorarium and up to $500 in material reimbursement.
Boxed In/Break Out is part of Telfair Museums’ #art912 initiative, which is dedicated to raising the visibility and promoting the vitality of artists living and working in Savannah.
Proposal Details
Deadline for Submissions:
Friday, January 9, 2026
Application Fee:
None
Email proposals to:
dunne@telfair.org, Erin Dunn, curator of modern and
contemporary art, with the subject line Boxed In/Break Out
Eligibility:
Must be at least 18 years old and be an artist living or
working in Chatham County.
Honorarium:
$1,500
Exhibition Conditions
Artists applying are encouraged to stop by the museum and examine the space from Barnard Street (currently the windows feature last year’s winning submission). Boxed In/Break Out will utilize the six windows closest to the Jepson Center’s Oglethorpe entrance (the windows on the other side of the lane are used for the museum gift shop display). One window may be used for a text panel or banner describing the project if the artist would like that as feature.
The window space at the Jepson is unable to be climate controlled. It is daily exposed to direct sunlight. Each window space is accessed through two door panels on the interior of the Jepson Center that open into a hallway. Electricity is limited. Two of the windows have outlets inside, and there is an additional outlet in the interior hallway from which the windows are accessed. Each window has a fluorescent light bulb at the top lighting the space that will be available to illuminate the installation during the workday and at night.
Site visits are encouraged! Contact Erin Dunn at 912.790.8842 or dunne@telfair.org to schedule a visit.
Window Dimensions
95” high x 63 ½”wide x 13” deep
The panels at the back of the windows must be able to close to adhere to fire code.
Installation
Artists are responsible for the installation of their work in consultation with the museum’s registrar and preparators.
Exhibition Dates
The project will be displayed from Friday, June 5, 2026 – May 9, 2027
Ceremony
Artist must be present for an artist talk with curator Erin Dunn on the evening of Thursday, June 14, 2026
Materials
All type of media are welcomed (exceptions: live animals, performance).
What to Send
Part 1: The Written Proposal/Illustrations (Word document or pdf)
- Contact Information
- Full Name
- Address
- Telephone Number
- Email Address
- Illustration(s) of proposed work
- Proposals must contain between 1 to 5 original sketches of the proposed work.
- Detailed project description (1-page maximum)
- Please provide information about the proposal including what materials will be used, a description of the concepts in the installation, and any maintenance the piece might require.
Part 2: Support Materials/Previous Work
- Resume or CV (pdf or Word)
- Previous Work Samples/Image List
- 1 to 5 images of previous work (JPGS, 72 dpi listed by Last name_# ex: Smith_01). Please provide a separate list in a word document or .pdf with the titles, medium, year, and location.
Summary of Proposal Requirements*
1. Contact Information
2. Illustration of the proposed work
3. A one-page max description of the project
4. Previous work samples
5. Resume
*Incomplete proposals will not be considered
Selection Process
The winning proposal will be selected by Michael Dickins, Director and Chief Curator of the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art.
Michael Dickins is an interdisciplinary artist and the director and chief curator of the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art at the College of Charleston School of the Arts. Known for bold, thought-provoking work, Dickins has exhibited across the Southeastern U.S. and in cities such as Philadelphia, Denver, Istanbul, and Berlin, with two appearances at {Re}Happening at Black Mountain College.
Over the past 15 years, he has developed innovative gallery programs, producing over 45 exhibitions and public art projects that bridge disciplines and spark meaningful conversations. His curatorial vision has been spotlighted at Atlanta Contemporary and the Emporium in Knoxville, TN, and his expertise has been sought by ARTSMemphis, SouthArts, ArtFields, apexart, AIRIE, and numerous collegiate exhibitions. A graduate of Georgia Southern University (BFA) and Goddard College (MFA), Dickins is committed to art that challenges, engages, and connects communities—turning galleries into spaces of dialogue and discovery.
Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria: Creativity and originality, feasibility, resourcefulness, and suitability in the space, as well as visual appeal. You will receive an email indicating that your application has been received. The winner of the project will be informed via email by Monday, February 10, 2025, at the latest.
If you have any questions regarding the proposal guidelines, contact: Erin Dunn, 912.790.8842 or dunne@telfair.org.
FAQ
You must be 18 years or older to submit your work.
No, you do not have to be a professional artist, but previous examples of your art and/or examples of your ability to execute art projects will be required.
You are allowed to have help with your installation, but will not receive additional funds to reimburse helpers. You will also be required to provide names and background information for additional help.
The windows are accessed through the interior of the Jepson Center. Each window has two large door panels that open outwards into the hallway behind.
Yes, contact Erin Dunn at 912.790.8842 or dunne@telfair.org to schedule a visit.
No, the doors must be able to be shut to adhere to the fire code.
Submit an email proposal to dunne@telfair.org by 5:00pm on Friday, January 9, 2026 with the subject line Boxed In/Break Out. Late and/or incomplete entries will not be considered.
Please only submit one proposal for Boxed In/Break Out.
The winning proposal will be selected by a guest curator.
The project will be displayed from June 5, 2026 through May 9, 2027.
Yes, you will be responsible for taking your materials down by an agreed upon date otherwise the materials will be disposed of.
There is no application fee.
Yes, there will be up to $500 material reimbursement.
Most mediums will be accepted excluding live animals or performance.
Please call Erin Dunn at 912.790.8842 or email dunne@telfair.org.
You will receive an email indicating that your application has been received. The winner of the project will be informed by an email by Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at the latest. Unsuccessful applicants will not be notified.
Disclaimer
Telfair Museums reserves the right to refuse any or all submissions, and/or to withhold the honorarium should it be determined that submissions are not adequate.
