Community Art at Yale West Campus aims to celebrate the West Campus community by creating an environment that is welcoming to everyone who works at and visits campus. The exhibition recognizes the value of art in generating vibrant, inclusive spaces, and through this initiative, seeks to perpetually enhance and support the West Campus community.
We invite West Campus artists and makers to submit proposals for wall art in any medium for consideration for our exhibition beginning in fall 2026. The dedline for proposals is 11:59 pm on July 1, 2026. Notifications will go out the week of July 20, 2026. Paper submission forms may be collected in person during office hours at the second floor Administrative Suite, West Campus Conference Center. Work that is accepted must be delivered to West Campus by August 14.
Art Exhibit Space
For year 2026-28, the exhibition will expand to space at the Yale West Campus Conference Center, 800 West Campus Drive, as well as in buildings 850, 600, 840, and 900. Specific wall space has been identified throughout the buildings by Yale West Campus Administration in partnership with local units.
Eligibility
Artists and makers affiliated with Yale West Campus, including students, postdocs, all staff, faculty, and alumni, may submit work for consideration in response to open calls.
Selection Criteria
Comprising members of the West Campus community, the Community Art at Yale West Campus Review Committee will prioritize work that represents the campus.
The purpose and theme of the Community Art at Yale West Campus exhibition is to celebrate the Yale West Campus Community through artwork that promotes the inclusivity of the campus environment.
In addition to broad community exhibits, for the 2026-2028 exhibition, we encourage submissions that relate to the scholarly themes of the campus, i.e. visualizing health science, energy science or cultural heritage conservation. For example, many scientific images or illustrations, such as those of microscopic samples, cultures or scans, possess striking colors, compositions, and textures.
We welcome creative wall art in all media and invite community artists and makers to submit individual works for consideration, or work in a small series of up to two pieces. The art imagery and media should be appropriate for family viewing in public spaces with respect for cultural backgrounds and the Yale community.
Acceptance of any art is at the sole discretion of the Community Art at Yale West Campus program. YWCA will prioritize the installation of a variety of art in each location rather than by affiliation of any artist to a particular space.
The following elements will not be accepted:
• Anything angry, scary, or violent
• Specific political or religious subjects or icons
• Overt sexual content or nudity
• Images featuring alcohol
Number of Artworks
The size and type of artwork submitted will determine how many will fit in the designated spaces. Only artwork submitted and approved by the Community Art at Yale West Campus Committee will be accepted for installation. Every effort is made to hang as many of the artworks accepted for the space; however, all submitted pieces may not be used based on space constraints or Committee’s decision.
Length of Exhibit
Exhibits are expected to be on display for 24 months, from fall 2026 to fall 2028. Artworks must be removed at the end of the exhibit. West Campus is unable to accept donations of exhibited works.
Delivery/Return
• Accepted artists are responsible for their shipping to and from Yale West Campus Conference Center. Accepted artwork must be delivered and picked up by hand or shipped to Yale West Campus administration by the stated date/time in one delivery.
• Artwork must be delivered framed or prepared to be hung.
• Accepted artists will be notified of the specific dates and deadlines for delivery and removal of their exhibit when they receive their acceptance notification.
• The artist is expected to adhere to delivery instructions regarding place, date and time as well as hours for the exhibit space hours unless prior arrangements are made though Yale West Campus Administration.
• The Community Art at Yale West Campus Committee will be responsible for installing the artwork. Any specific installation requirements can be discussed with Committee prior to acceptance.
• Artists must use appropriate packing material which cannot be stored at West Campus.
• The Committee will deinstall the artwork.
• Neither Yale West Campus Administration or Community Art at Yale West Campus Committee can be held responsible for the security of artwork that is not picked up.
• Artists must arrange for delivery of purchased art to a buyer after the exhibit is removed.
Insurance/Protection of Artwork
Artwork will be subject to the standard security and environmental controls in the West Campus Conference Center building. Yale West Campus Administration cannot guarantee that the conditions will be appropriate for all art. Yale West Campus Administration does not have insurance for the artwork exhibits and is not responsible for any loss, theft, or damage to the artworks while in its possession or on display. Artist agrees to hold Yale West Campus harmless with respect to any loss or damage to the artwork, regardless of the cause.
Use of Images for Promotion
Yale West Campus Administration requests the right to use images of the submitted work for promotional and display purposes. The Artist is credited by name in every possible case. The Artist must notify Yale West Campus Administration in writing if they do not wish their artwork to appear in print or publications for the exhibition.
Title and Copyright
The Artist warrants and represents that he/she created the work of art and possesses unencumbered title and full copyright to each and all works of art consigned to the Community Art at Yale West Campus program under this agreement. This Agreement does not transfer any rights of title or copyright to Yale.
Sale of Artwork
All inquiries will be directed to the artist for all sales. The artist’s name and contact information will be displayed at the exhibition site. Work does not need to be for sale to be eligible for acceptance. All work will remain on exhibit and cannot be removed by the artist until the close of the exhibit.
Questions about these guidelines may be sent to jon.atherton@yale.edu