Call for Submissions – Deadline Extended!

WorkWell NYC is celebrating its 10-year anniversary! As part of the ongoing celebrations for this milestone year, we are announcing our call for submissions of original artwork for Art is Life 2026. This year’s suggested theme is “(Human)kind: Human Connection and Spirit in the Age of AI.” Artists are invited to reflect on current events, access, equity, and what it means to be human in an increasingly digital world.

Submissions are open through March 16, 2026, at 11:59 pm.

Art is Life 2026 welcomes submissions from all art disciplines. Please categorize your work under the following:

1. Visual Arts (photography, painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, collage, printmaking, or textile)
2. Performing Arts/Media (time-based work such as acting, audio recording, dancing, film or video, playing an instrument, or singing)
3. Literary Works (poetry, novel, short story, or script)

If you are unsure which category your work falls under, please email workwell@olr.nyc.gov.

Eligibility and Rules:

• Must be a City of New York employee to submit artwork
• Employees are limited to one (1) submission per person
• All levels of artistic experience are welcome.
• Artwork must be original and reflect the overall theme. Submissions conceptualized, created, and/or enhanced with AI will NOT be accepted.
• Artwork can be a new or existing piece and is eligible regardless of its history of exhibition, as long as it meets the above requirements.

Art is Life 2026 welcomes submissions from all art disciplines. Please categorize your work under one of these categories:

• Visual Arts (photography, painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, collage, printmaking, or textile)
• Performing Arts/Media (time-based work such as acting, audio recording, dancing, film or video, playing an instrument, or singing)
• Literary Works (poetry, novel, short story, or script)

If you are unsure which category your work falls under, email workwell@olr.nyc.gov.

About the Employee Artist Showcase

Multiple opportunities will be available to showcase submitted artwork, including:

• Featured artwork will be displayed in an art gallery open to City employees and the public in Lower Manhattan on June 16-18.
• New for 2026: A special evening event (location and date TBA) will showcase artist performances, panels, and more. More details coming soon!
• At the conclusion of the in-person gallery, access to the virtual gallery will be opened.

To learn more about past showcases, visit nyc.gov/projectbuild.

Submission Guidelines

All artists will need to prepare the following info with their submission:

• Medium - Tell us about the materials, tools, and/or techniques used to create your artwork. Note: Any AI-created or enhanced submissions will NOT be considered for inclusion in the Art is Life Employee Artist Showcase, performance, or related activities.
• Artist statement - In 150 words or less, please describe your artwork. Tell us about how your artwork relates to the 2026 Art is Life theme and credit additional collaborators if applicable.

Special considerations for different types of artwork are listed below.

Visual artwork showcased physically (for example, a painting, physical print of a digital image, sculpture, etc.) will be displayed in the gallery.

• 2D pieces will be hung on the gallery walls. Please note that artwork should not exceed 60 inches high x 60 inches wide x 5 inches deep including the frame (frame optional).
• 3D pieces will be displayed on a pedestal that is 12 inches x 12 inches. If it is freestanding, it will be considered for physical display on a case-by-case basis.
• Artists showcasing physical artwork will be responsible for dropping off and picking up their artwork from the gallery (see “Important Dates” below).

Visual artwork showcased digitally (for example, a digital image file of a physical 2D or 3D work, digital photography, digitally created illustrations, etc.) will be displayed via a projector.

• Images must be high resolution (at least 300 DPI).
• Accepted file formats are .jpg, .jpeg, or .png file.
• If you are taking a photo of your physical artwork, please ensure your work is well-lit, in focus, and against a solid background.

Performing Arts/Media artwork (time-based work such as acting, audio recording, dancing, film or video, playing an instrument, or singing)

Submit a file no more than 2 minutes in length (can be an excerpt of a larger work). If more than 2 minutes are submitted, please specify the start time to play the sample during review, otherwise only the first 2 minutes will be reviewed. Performing arts/ media works will be displayed via a projector on a digital reel inside the gallery.

• Video recording: Only high resolution (1920 x 1080 pixel size) .mp4 files will be accepted.
• Audio recording: Only .mp3 files will be accepted.

Literary artwork (poetry, novel, short story, or script)

Submit no more than two (2) pages (8.5”x11”) maximum (can be an excerpt of a larger work). Literary work submissions will be compiled into a binder for display inside the gallery. If more than two pages are submitted, please specify the page number to start the review, otherwise only the first two pages will be reviewed. Only PDF files will be accepted.

Important Dates:

• Submissions period: Monday, January 5 – Monday, March 16 at 11:59 pm
• Curation period: Submissions will be reviewed in a rolling basis through Friday, April 17
• WorkWell NYC hopes to accept all artwork submitted but may need to make selections based on space, thematic, and other considerations.
• Artists notified: Monday, April 20 – Friday, April 24
• Artists deliver accepted artwork (2D and 3D artwork for physical display only) to gallery in Lower Manhattan: Sunday, June 7 – Saturday, June 13
• Artist Panels and Performance Evening: Date TBA; more details coming soon!
• In-person Employee Artist Showcase: Tuesday, June 16 – Thursday, June 18
  • The gallery will be open to the public, including City employees and their guests.
• Artists pick up exhibited artwork from gallery: Friday, June 19 – Thursday, June 25
• Virtual Employee Showcase link available: June 22
  • See last year’s virtual gallery here!

Terms and Conditions

All participating artists attest that the artwork created is your own work; was not conceptualized, created, and/or enhanced by AI; and that there has been no copyright infringement. In the event other individuals were instrumental to the creation of your artwork, you attest that they are credited in your artist statement. WorkWell NYC will not be held liable for any infringement of rights that might surface during the curation or displaying of any artwork.

By submitting your artwork for Art is Life 2026, you grant WorkWell NYC permission to use your artwork for Art is Life and wellness program promotional purposes, including but not limited to print, digital, and social media, and edit its description/artist statement for length, tone, language, and/or consistency.

By delivering your artwork for the in-person showcase, you agree not to hold WorkWell NYC and its affiliates responsible for things like damage in the normal handling (storage, hanging, etc.) of your physical artwork during the time you leave it in our possession for the in-person showcase.

Questions?

If you have additional questions that were not answered here, please email workwell@olr.nyc.gov. We look forward to reviewing your submission!

Frequently Asked Questions:

What else do I need to submit with my artwork?

Artists must include the following with their submission:

• Medium - Tell us about the materials, tools, and/or techniques used to create your artwork.
• Artist statement - In 150 words or less, please describe your artwork. Tell us about how your artwork relates to the 2026 Art is Life theme and credit additional collaborators if applicable. Add anything else about the artwork you would like to share, including but not limited to the inspiration behind the piece; the role you had in creating or conceptualizing the artwork; the message you would like to convey to viewers through your work.

Can I submit more than one artwork?

• Artists can only submit one artwork. If your work is part of a larger collection, please submit the piece that you feel best represents your work.

Does my art need a frame?

• Artwork does not need to be framed.

What are the expectations for artists that are physically displaying their visual artwork at the in-person showcase?

• Artists are expected to


• Drop off their pieces at the gallery within one week before the in-person showcase opens.
• Pick up their artwork within two weeks after the in-person showcase closes. Artists can designate someone else to drop off and pick up their work if they cannot come in person.


• Artwork that is not picked up after the gallery is closed will be donated to WorkWell NYC’s art collection.

What are the terms and conditions of agreeing to participate in Art is Life 2026?

• All participating artists are attesting that the artwork created is their own work and that there has been no copyright infringement. In the event other individuals were instrumental to the creation of your artwork, you attest that they are credited in your artist statement. WorkWell NYC is not liable for any infringement of rights that arise during curation or display of any artwork.
• By submitting your artwork for Art is Life 2026, you grant WorkWell NYC permission to use your artwork for Art is Life and wellness program promotional purposes, including but not limited to print, digital, and social media. Descriptions/artist statements may be edited for length, tone, language, or consistency.
• By delivering your artwork for the in-person showcase, you agree not to hold WorkWell NYC and its affiliates responsible for things like damage in the normal handling (storage, hanging, etc.) of your physical artwork during the time you leave it in our possession for the in-person showcase.

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Art is Life 2025 Employee Artist Showcase June 24-27

Visit on.nyc.gov/virtualgallery to check out our 2025 virtual gallery.

The theme of 2025's exhibition was "Life Lessons Learned”, a key aspect of WorkWell NYC’s Project B.U.I.L.D. programming. “Life Lessons Learned” draws on moments of growth, resilience, introspection, and the human experience. This collection celebrates learning from the challenges and finding beauty in each of our journeys.

Check out our previous Art is Life galleries:

• 2024 Theme: Building Understanding
• 2023 Theme: We Are NYC! Celebrating the Diversity of NYC
• 2020 Theme: Reflecting the Events of 2020