Category: call for participation

CFP: Scholars’ Workshop in Early African American Print, Jan. 11-15, 2027

The American Antiquarian Society (AAS) is accepting applications for the Scholars’ Workshop in Early African American Print. Led by Dr. Tara Bynum (University of Iowa), this five-day, in-person workshop is open to graduate students and early career scholars specializing in pre-1900 African American history and culture. Participants will work closely with primary sources at AAS and refine works in progress―whether a dissertation or book chapter, journal article, or related scholarly project.

Designed for scholars new to archival research, the workshop includes professional development opportunities and direct access to AAS’s extensive collection of early African American newspapers, pamphlets, books, manuscripts, and other primary sources.

The Scholars’ Workshop will be held January 11-15, 2027. The workshop is tuition-free. Onsite housing and travel stipends will be provided to admitted participants.

For more information about the Scholars’ Workshop in Early African American Print, including instructions on how to apply, please visit the program webpage: https://www.americanantiquarian.org/programs-events/scholars-workshop-early-african-american-print.

The application deadline is October 15, 2026.

Very best wishes,
John J. Garcia, Ph.D.
Director of Scholarly Programs and Partnerships
American Antiquarian Society
www.americanantiquarian.org

CFP: Nineteenth-Century Studies Association Conference, Philadelphia, March 11-13, 2027

Framing the Human in the Nineteenth Century

48th Annual Conference

Nineteenth-Century Studies Association

Philadelphia, PA

March 11-13, 2027

Conference website: https://ncsaweb.net/2027-conference-information/

Call for Proposals
Submission Deadline: October 31, 2026
Notification of Acceptance: January 2027
Please submit proposals via this Google Form
Questions? Email the conference organizers at ncsa2027conference@gmail.com

The Nineteenth-Century Studies Association (NCSA) invites proposals for 15-minute papers (300-word proposal) or complete panels of 3-4 papers (600-word proposal) that examine the shifting meanings and status of “the human” in the long nineteenth century—a period shaped by transformative scientific, social, and philosophical developments that continue to inform present-day thought. During this time, evolutionary theory and social Darwinism challenged the boundaries between humans and animals and raised new questions about human difference across race, class, and ethnicity. Theological and philosophical discourses reevaluated humanity’s relationship to the divine, while pseudosciences such as phrenology, physiognomy, and anthropometry sought to codify human variation through tools of measurement often aligned with colonial and racial hierarchies. Advances in the natural sciences speculated on human origins and extraterrestrial life, situating “the human” within a larger cosmic framework. Industrialization redefined labor and bodily limits, generating anxieties about overpopulation, and paradoxically, race suicide and population extinction. Amid these pressures, labor and voting rights movements gained momentum, as marginalized groups fought for full inclusion. We welcome proposals from a variety of disciplines that engage with these and other transformations that redefined what it meant to be human—and to belong to humanity—across the long nineteenth century.

Topics may include, but are not limited to:

  • The influence of evolutionary theory on concepts of the human and the human/animal divide, including artistic and literary responses
  • Scientific efforts to define human origins and difference through anthropology, racial theory, and other emerging disciplines
  • Population anxieties related to degeneration, overpopulation, and demographic change
  • Emancipated and enslaved bodies
  • The effects of industrialization and technological advancement on understandings of the human body, labor, and automation
  • The rise of the human sciences—psychology, physiology, and medicine—and new approaches to the mind and self
  • Migration and the movement of people, and their impact on ideas of race, nation, and identity
  • Secularization and shifting relationships between the human and the divine
  • Changing human relationships to the environment and the nonhuman world
  • Human rights, labor, and suffrage movements and the redefinition of personhood
  • Transformations in education and access to knowledge
  • The role of cultural institutions (museums, libraries, exhibitions) in shaping public and humanist discourse

CFP: ACRAH/CAA2027

ACRAH will be at CAA2027. The topic of next year’s session will be The Materials of Race. We are welcoming submissions and look forward to you joining us in person at CAA in New York in February.

The deadline to submit for CAA is August 31, 2026.

Abstract:

Race is a powerful ideology, one advanced in images and objects that are the outcomes of artists’ manipulation of chosen materials. What is the significance of materials in critical race art history? Scholars working in this area might consider the perception of materials which play a part in historical and contemporary racialization of places, experiences, objects, and living beings. In what ways are characteristics and descriptions of texture, density, strength, malleability, reflectivity, and weight associated with racial quality and/or personality (or both)? If a material like paper is considered “a carrier of memory and process” (Frederick, Donnelly, and Kenney 2026), how do materials contribute to racialization as an historical and ongoing preoccupation? As other social historians do, critical race art historians might analyze the circulation and value of materials in local networks and global markets to map the connections to agential action and the exercise of power. Because the most recent material turn has been driven by a revived appreciation for craft and simultaneously threatened by the lightning fast adoption of generative AI-created art and design, interrogations of liberal claims that digitization lowers barriers to access (while distancing us from material engagements) are also relevant. This panel seeks varied perspectives from scholars, curators, artists, and/or archivists to contribute to this panel discussion.

The full CFP for CAA2027 can be found here.

CFP: 2026 MAC Conference

Caribbean Museums: Connectors, Conveners, and Catalysts for Change

The Museums Association of the Caribbean invites proposals for its 2026 conference, taking place in Trinidad & Tobago, November 9-13, 2026. We welcome submissions from Caribbean creatives, scholars, museum professionals, and cultural practitioners. The Call for Proposals is open now.

Learn more and submit here:
https://caribbeanmuseums.com/mac-conference-2026-call-for-proposals/

ACRAH will be at CAA2026!

The ACRAH/CAA2026 panel will be Excavating Race in the Archive

This session will remote/hybrid on Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 11:00am – 12:30pm local Chicago time. If you are in Chicago you can attend in person at the Hilton Chicago – 3rd Floor – Williford B.

Check out the full session description here: CAA2026

The ACRAH Business Meeting will be held in the same room on Thursday, February 19, 2026 from 1:00pm-2:00pm local Chicago time.

Slavery North: Call for Abstracts — Deadline Dec. 19, 2025

Slavery North is pleased to invite participation in an academic conference, Rebellion, Resistance, and Refuge: Slavery and Border-Crossing during the American Revolution.

The conference will take place in person from Thursday, July 9 to Sunday, July 12, 2026, at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA.

On the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Slavery North invites proposals for papers that rethink the cultures, events, and experiences of the Revolutionary War. This call encourages new scholarship that reexamines the Revolutionary War through the experiences of enslaved people in British North America, exploring themes of displacement, resistance, and freedom across emerging national borders.

Call for Abstracts:

Deadline for Abstracts: Friday, December 19, 2025

Slavery North invites proposals for 20-minute papers from graduate students, scholars, professors, and cultural and heritage workers. Proposals must include:

· Name, title, affiliation/institution, and location (city, province/state, country)

· Paper title

· Abstract: 200-300 words

· Two-page CV (featuring research highlights)

Submission Instructions:

Please submit your abstract and supporting materials via email as PDF attachments by Emily Davidson at: emilydavidso@umass.edu

More information: https://slaverynorth.com/event/call-for-abstracts-academic-conference/

The full call for abstracts is here.

We encourage you to circulate this invitation across your scholarly and community networks.

2026 Future Faculty Career Exploration Program at RIT–applications due February 27, 2026

Be part of the 2026 Future Faculty Career Exploration Program and gain a “behind the scenes” glimpse into life as a faculty member at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). This vigorous, four-day program offers additional opportunities to enhance interview skills, practice job-talk presentations, and explore the research, teaching, and service expectations of RIT Faculty members.

Individuals who meet the following are encouraged to submit an application:

  • Able to contribute in meaningful ways to the RIT’s commitment to innovation and creativity. We are interested in scholars and artists who are multifaceted and exceptional in their research or artistry. The Program is open to all eligible participants regardless of race, religion, age, gender, or other protected federal or state categories.
  • Studying or researching in the discipline areas offered at RIT
  • Advanced PhD (ABD status) or MFA candidates (anticipated graduation by May/June 2027), postdoctoral scholars or early-career faculty or researchers.
  • Desire a rewarding academic teaching and research career at an exceptional institution.
  • Able to travel to Rochester, New York, for the duration of the program.

Application Materials:

  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Cover letter: express your interest in FFCEP, and desire for a career in the professoriate. MFA applicants should include a link to their online portfolio. 
  • Artistic or Research Statement: summary of current research or artistic endeavors and/or proposal for upcoming work.
  • Teaching Statement: summary of the guiding principle(s) that inform your pedagogical approach & style.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1 – Travel day, meet and greet with participants, job talk pointers

Day 2 – RIT community welcome breakfast, host department activities, panel discussions on faulty support, diversity and student body

Day 3 – Host department activities, panel discussions on faculty life, dinner with RIT administration and community members

Day 4 – Conclude program with a tour of the greater Rochester area, lunch with cohort, and departure for travel home

For more information on RIT’s current COVID-19 guidelines please visit https://www.rit.edu/ready/

The final application deadline is February, 27, 2026.

Start your application here: https://rit.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6eU0rCIsk7c1cbz

2026 MoAD Emerging Artists Program — Applications due Oct. 31, 2025

Call for Artists: 2026 Emerging Artists Program (EAP)

Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD)

San Francisco, CA

The Emerging Artists Program (EAP) reflects the Museum of the African Diaspora’s commitment to supporting, exhibiting, and amplifying the work of Black artists living and working in the Bay Area. As a leading contemporary art museum focused on the global African Diaspora, MoAD is proud to incubate innovative practices and foster long-term artistic growth.

We are now accepting applications for the 2026 cycle. Four artists will be selected to present solo exhibitions in MoAD’s Salon space and will each receive a $10,000 award along with comprehensive institutional support.

Program Overview

Incubation

Selected artists will receive:

Direct mentorship and guidance from MoAD’s curatorial and exhibitions team

Writing and design support for wall text, labels, and marketing materials

Access to career-sustaining professional development workshops led by artists, curators, scholars, gallerists, and financial experts

Exhibition

Each artist will present a two-month solo exhibition in MoAD’s Salon, a multipurpose space used to showcase stellar artwork as well as for deep engagement through public programs, workshops, and community events

Artists will be given up to three days each for installation and deinstallation

All artists will work with the same set of institutional tools and resources provided by MoAD

Public Programming + Publicity

MoAD will organize and support at least one public program (e.g. artist talk, conversation, or workshop) for each exhibition

Artists will receive dedicated marketing and press support from MoAD’s communications team

Additional Award Opportunity

One of the four exhibiting artists will receive the EAP Excellence Award, a $25,000 grant awarded in recognition of outstanding work

Application + Selection Timeline

Application Deadline: October 31, 2025 Final Selections Made: December 15, 2025 Finalists Announced: January 5, 2026 First Exhibition Opens: March 20, 2026

Apply via SlideRoom: https://moadsf.slideroom.com/#/permalink/program/84758

Terms & Conditions

Applications must be submitted through the official SlideRoom portal.

Submission does not guarantee selection.

MoAD will insure exhibited artworks up to a maximum of $15,000, from delivery through deinstallation.

Artists are responsible for shipping, delivery, and retrieval of artworks.

All non-installation-based works must arrive ready to hang.

Artists must be on-site for both installation and deinstallation, which may take up to three days each.

Artworks left at MoAD more than 30 days after exhibition close will be considered abandoned.

Artists release MoAD from liability for damage or injury during transportation.

Visitors may photograph artworks for non-commercial use. Artists grant MoAD permission to photograph and use images for marketing, publicity, and educational purposes.

Please note: The Salon is a multi-use space. Food and drink may be served, and the space may be rented for private events during or after museum hours.

For questions or additional information, please contact: exhibitions@moadsf.org

We look forward to reviewing your proposal and continuing to build a vibrant future for Black art in the Bay Area.

Apply Now

This program contains:

  • Forms (1)
  • Media (up to 10)

Preview Full Application

CALL FOR PROPOSALS–Apply for Terra Foundation Collection Grant (due August 4, 2025)

Terra Foundation Collections Grants encourage organizations worldwide to re-interpret and re-present their permanent collections.

Terra supports permanent collection projects that broaden understanding and pursue inclusive and expansive practices of American art, whether through reinstallation or temporary exhibitions drawn primarily from an institution’s permanent collection. They welcome proposals from museums, art centers, and community-based cultural organizations of varying sizes, annual budgets, and diverse geographies, within and outside the United States.

  • Planning grants typically range between $25,000 and $75,000.
  • Implementation grants are up to $100,000.
  • Grant support through this program is offered once yearly.
Collections Grants

https://terraamericanart.fluxx.io/user_sessions/new

CFP: Nineteenth Century Studies Association Awards and Prizes

NCSA Announcement: Submissions Open for Emerging Scholars Award, Article Prize, and BIPOC Scholars Prize
Award Submission Deadline July 1, 2025

Submissions to the Emerging Scholars Award, the Article Prize, and the BIPOC Scholars Award are due July 1, 2025. Winners will each receive a cash award of $500 to be presented at the Annual NCSA Conference in 2026. Short descriptions are below, but please refer to the links to the NCSA website for complete information and lists of recent award recipients. https://ncsaweb.net/grants-funding-awards-prizes/

The Emerging Scholars Award: https://ncsaweb.net/ncsa-emerging-scholars-award/
The work of emerging scholars represents the promise and long-term future of interdisciplinary scholarship in nineteenth century studies. In recognition of the excellent publications of this constituency of emerging scholars, this award is given for an outstanding article or essay published while the author is within their doctoral studies or within six years following conferral of their doctorate. Articles that appeared in print in a journal or edited collection in 2024 or between January 1, 2025 and June 30, 2025 are eligible for the Emerging Scholars Award, which will be presented at the 2026 NCSA Conference. If the official date of publication does not fall within that span but the work in fact appeared between those dates, then it is eligible. NCSA encourages winners to attend the annual conference and will waive the conference registration fee. Entries can be from any discipline and may focus on any aspect of the long nineteenth century (the French Revolution to World War I), must be published in English or be accompanied by an English translation, and must be by a single author. Submission of essays that are interdisciplinary is especially encouraged. Articles may be submitted by the author or the publisher of a journal, anthology, or volume containing independent essays.

More information and link to submit articles are HERE:ncsaweb.net/ncsa-emerging-scholars-award/
Emerging Scholars Award Contact: Dr.Alexandre Bonafos, Chair of the Emerging Scholars Committee atEmergingScholarsNCSA@gmail.com

The Article Prize
The Article Prize recognizes excellence in scholarly studies from any discipline focusing on any aspect of the long nineteenth century (French Revolution to World War I). Entries must be published in English or be accompanied by an English translation, and submission of essays that are interdisciplinary is especially encouraged. Articles that appeared in print in a journal or edited collection in 2024 or between January 1, 2025 and June 30, 2025 are eligible for the 2026 Article Prize, which will be awarded at the 2026 NCSA conference. If the date of publication does not fall within that span but the work in fact appeared between those dates, then it is eligible. NCSA encourages winners to attend the annual conference and will waive the conference registration fee. Articles may be submitted by the author or the publisher of a journal, anthology, or volume containing independent essays.

More information and link to submit articles are here:https://ncsaweb.net/ncsa-article-prize/
Article Prize Contact: Dr. David Ogawa, Chair of the Article Prize Committee at ogawad@union.edu  OR ArticlePrizeNCSA@gmail.com
 

The BIPOC Scholars Prize
The BIPOC Scholars Prize recognizes excellence in scholarly studies from any discipline focusing on any aspect of the long nineteenth century (French Revolution to World War I) completed by a scholar who identifies as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, or a person of color). Entries can be from any discipline, must be published in English or accompanied by an English translation, and submission of essays that are interdisciplinary is especially encouraged. Articles that appeared in print in a journal or edited collection in 2024 or between January 1, 2025 and June 30, 2025 are eligible for the 2026 BIPOC Scholars Prize, which will be presented at the 2026 NCSA Conference.  If the listed date of publication does not fall within that span,but the work appeared between those dates, then it is eligible. NCSA encourages winners to attend the annual conference and will waive the conference registration fee. Articles may be submitted by the author or the publisher of a journal, anthology, or volume containing independent essays.

More information and link to submit articles are here:https://ncsaweb.net/bipoc-scholars-prize/
BIPOC Scholars Prize Contact: Wendy Castenell and/or Emily August, Co-chairs of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, atwcastenell@wlu.edu andemily.august@stockton.edu