The Heckscher Museum of Art
Exhibition artwork

The Heckscher Museum of Art

Long Island Biennial 2026

Long Island, NY

May 16 – September 13, 2026

Deadline is February 2nd.
Find Open Calls

Opens for entry Jan 1st.

Description

The Heckscher Museum of Art is pleased to announce the Long Island Biennial 2026, a juried exhibition for artists of Nassau and Suffolk Counties on Long Island. Applicants may submit up to three original works of art for consideration.

Exhibition Dates

May 16 – September 13, 2026

Artist Eligibility

Applicants must be 18 years or older, live in Nassau or Suffolk County, and have specialized training in art, as demonstrated by fine arts education, exhibition experience, and/or critical or press notice.

Media

Paintings, sculptures, works on paper (drawings, pastels, collages), photographs, prints, and mixed media artworks will be considered. Only artworks created during or after 2024 will be considered.

Size Restrictions

Two-dimensional artwork may not exceed 62 inches in its longest dimension, including frame. Unframed, museum-wrapped works are also acceptable. Three-dimensional artwork: 60 inches high x 30 inches wide x 30 inches deep, with a maximum height of 72 inches including integral base where used, and a maximum weight of 75 lbs.

Criteria for Adjudication

July 4, 2026, marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Much has changed since the European colonists first arrived and declared an independent nation on land long populated by the diverse Indigenous peoples of North America. Coinciding with this national anniversary and the centennial of George Grosz’s masterpiece of political art, Eclipse of the Sun (1926), The Heckscher Museum invites Long Island artists to submit work that resonates with the legacy of the Declaration of Independence, in all its promises, ideals, and contradictions, and/or that is inspired in some way by Grosz’s masterwork. Artists may address these themes in any fashion: from a personal, local, national, or global perspective, generally or specifically, literally or interpretively, and in any aesthetic genre and medium. Artwork selection is at the sole discretion of the jurors, based on their personal, professional expertise and experience, and an expansive understanding of the theme. Jurors will not provide feedback of any kind.

Fees*

  • Current Museum Members: $25 Entry Fee
  • Non-Members: $45 Entry Fee
  • New Member Discount! $60 Entry Fee
    (includes 1-year Individual Membership)
Applicants may submit up to three original works of art for consideration included in the entry fee.

*For questions about Membership, contact Caitlynn Schare [email protected]. Payment is non refundable and does not guarantee inclusion in Museum exhibition.

Application Procedure

The following materials for The Long Island Biennial application must be received by Monday, February 2, 2026, via ShowSubmit, including:
  • Listing of fine arts education, recent exhibitions, and collections
  • Artist’s statement* (maximum of 120 words directly relating to the artwork submitted, as this will also be used as the exhibition label text if the artwork is selected)
  • Digital images of submitted artwork**
  • Entry fee
*Please note that if selected, the artist statement may require editing to adhere to exhibition label standards. The Heckscher Museum will not change or remove any text without permission from the artist.

**Submitted digital images will be used during the adjudication process and on the Museum website if selected for the exhibition. The Museum will not provide professional photography. For sculpture entries, a composite image comprised of several views is acceptable and can be used in place of a single view.

No changes or substitutions to submitted artwork are permitted after the application period closes.

Application Period

Monday, February 2, 2026

Applicants whose work is selected for the exhibition will be notified by e-mail one month following the close of the application period.

Requirements for Exhibition

Artwork that is selected for exhibition must be display ready, as follows:
  • Paintings – framed or museum-wrapped, and wired.
  • Prints, photographs, and works on paper – matted, framed, and wired.
  • Sculptures – the artist must supply base, pedestal, and vitrine cover where required for proper exhibition. Bases and pedestals must be painted white.
  • All artworks must be labeled with the artist’s name, title, date, and medium.

Delivery & Availability of Artwork

  • Artwork must be delivered to the Museum by the artist or artist’s representative on May 6, 2026. The Museum cannot provide assistance handling artwork outside the building.
  • Due to space constraints, the Museum cannot accommodate early delivery or late pickup of artwork.
  • Artwork will be unwrapped upon delivery and inspected to ensure compliance with entry restrictions. Wrapping materials cannot be stored at the Museum during the exhibition.
  • Artwork cannot be withdrawn at any time during the exhibition.
  • Artists assume all transportation costs.
  • Artists must provide any required packing material when picking up their works on September 15, 2026.

Permission

Applicants grant permission for The Heckscher Museum of Art to display images of exhibited artworks on the Museum’s website, along with the artist’s website and/or e-mail address. Further, applicants must grant the Museum permission for image use in educational, promotional, and media materials.

Insurance

A standard loan agreement will be executed by the Museum’s Registrar for objects selected for the Long Island Biennial exhibition. The Museum agrees to insure works of art under a fine arts insurance policy against all risks of physical loss or damage from any external cause while in its possession. The Registrar will evaluate the condition of entries on arrival, while on view, and on departure to ensure they are stable and safe. The Museum reserves the right to remove from display any object that becomes an actual or potential risk to visitors or other works of art.

Additional Notification Information

Notifications will be emailed and posted in your ShowSubmit account by the end of the day on March 2, 2026.

If you do not receive your email, login and view the notification in your account. We cannot respond to inquiries regarding the status of notifications.

Image and Filename Specifications

  • File Format: Submit original, high-quality JPEG image files. Other formats (e.g., PNG, TIFF) are not accepted.
  • Crop Your Image: Ensure only the artwork itself is visible in the image. Do not show any visible matting, frames, or background distractions.
  • Orientation: Make sure your image is oriented correctly (right side up) so that the artwork appears in its intended viewing direction.
  • Image Size: You do not need to resize your image files before uploading. The system will automatically resize them. Smaller images cannot be enlarged to meet the requirements, so ensure your images are high resolution before uploading.
  • File Names: You do not need to rename your files before uploading them. The system will handle any file naming requirements.
  • File Size: There is a 30mb maximum file size limit. Larger image files will take longer to upload and process.

Additional Entry Information

  • You will pay for your entry by credit or debit card using our secure checkout system.
  • After your entry is submitted and paid for, you may log back in to review your entry, edit artist and image information, and add or substitute images up until the entry deadline (February 2, 2026.)
  • Entry fees are not refundable and must be submitted and paid by the entry deadline.
  • Entries cannot be accepted or changed after the deadline. Incomplete entries will be disqualified.

Support

For questions about HMA or this Prospectus, please contact HMA inbox ([email protected]).

For technical support or entry questions, first check our Help Center or Entry Guide. If you still need help, email ShowSubmit Support ([email protected]). We’ll respond between 9am and 6pm Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.