Call for Artists: Día de los Muertos Ofrendas

Presented by the Morris Performing Arts Center, La Casa de Amistad, and the South Bend Museum of Art

We are seeking artists to create Ofrendas for this year’s Día de los Muertos celebration in South Bend. This community-centered event honors the tradition of remembrance, storytelling, and cultural expression.

Each selected artist will receive:

• A $250 honorarium
• $150 in materials support

Artists are invited to take creative liberties in how they define and execute their Ofrenda, while reflecting a personal and/or cultural connection to Día de los Muertos. Ofrendas may be traditional, interpretive, or conceptual, but should thoughtfully honor the spirit of the holiday.

In addition to creating the Ofrenda, each artist is asked to incorporate a community programming component, such as a workshop, talk, or collaborative activity.

Artist Responsibilities/Expectations: 

• Design and Create an Ofrenda 
• Collaborate with your Assigned Community Partner (incorporate ideas, themes, include the community in the project) 
• Install and uninstall Ofrendas in designated areas
• Adhere to the timeline provided 

Timeline:

• Monday, Sep 1, 2025: Orientation with Artists
• Friday, Sep 19, 2025: Artists turn-in project ideas, Explanation of how the community will be involved in the project, Distribute Supplies
• Friday, Oct 3, 2025: Check-in with artists, Receive designs and other promotional material for marketing
• Friday, October 21, 2025: Install Ofrendas at Locations 
• Saturday/Sunday, November 1 & 2, 2025:  Dia de los Muertos Celebration 
• Friday, November 7, 2025: Uninstall and clean-up  

To apply, please submit:

• 5 images of past work
• A 6–8 sentence statement describing the theme or concept of your proposed Ofrenda
• A brief statement outlining how you would engage the South Bend community through your programming

Installation locations will be determined by the presenting organizations.

This is a meaningful opportunity to celebrate heritage, engage the public, and contribute to a collective moment of remembrance and creativity in our city.

The South Bend Museum of Art accepts submission materials from artists, art organizations, community organizations, and curators. All submissions are reviewed by the museum’s Curatorial Staff quarterly in March, July, September, and January and are considered for all available opportunities.  

All work must be framed, wired, and ready for display. Works on paper must be covered by glass or plexiglass. All hanging hardware must be appropriate to the size and weight of the work.

GALLERIES

There are 3 galleries at the SBMA available for changing exhibitions, each with its own focus. You will be asked which space is the most suitable for your work:

• Art League Gallery (approximately 1200 sq. ft.):  Solo, two-person, and small group exhibitions. 
• Project Room Gallery (approximately 110 sq. ft.) Solo or small group exhibitions of screen-based work. This small gallery space adjoins the Art League Gallery and is dedicated to new media, animations, video, etc., that can be played on a single screen. Equipment includes: Samsung 55″ 1080p flatscreen smart tv, Micca Spec G2 media player, Mac mini. 
• Community Gallery (approximately 600 sq. ft.). For area community art organizations (see specific guidelines below) 

Available Floorplans:

• The Art League Gallery (includes entrance into small rectilinear Project Room Space).
• Crowley Community Gallery

REQUIRED MATERIALS

• Up to 20 images and/or up to 3 video links;
• Artist Statement and Bio (no more than 500 words) -or- a Community Arts Organization mission statement and submitter bio (no more than 500 words);
• A Mission Connection statement that describes how your exhibition idea relates to our mission, including any programming activities that might include our Collections, Exhibitions, and Education Departments at SBMA.  You'll also be asked how your exhibition idea engages the diverse communities of South Bend and the surrounding region. 
• For Community Organizations: see additional guidelines below. 

COMMUNITY GALLERY GROUP PROPOSALS 

All artwork coming into the South Bend Museum of Art will be chosen by a jury process or curatorial selection. Any exception to this must be approved by Curatorial Staff. In no case will any entrant to any exhibition be guaranteed acceptance of one or more pieces.

All juried shows will have a juror who is a non-member and non-affiliated of the exhibiting group. In the case that a local organization is part of a national affiliate, a national member may be a juror. The South Bend Museum of Art reserves the right to have final approval of the juror and must be informed of the juror before an agreement with the juror is formed.

The date for jurying should be set in accordance with installation timelines. The site of the jurying will be determined by SBMA staff and will take place within one or two days following the close of the previous show. Only the juror, a group representative assisting in the jurying process, and SBMA staff may be present during the jurying process. All handling of artwork will be the responsibility of the SBMA staff.

Entry Criteria and Prospectus 

• Work previously shown in the South Bend Museum of Art is not eligible for exhibition.
• Work must have been completed within three (3) years prior to the date of the exhibition.
• All work must be framed, wired, and ready for display. Works on paper must be covered by glass or plexiglass. All hanging hardware must be appropriate to the size and weight of the work.

The SBMA reserves the right to refuse any work that does not meet the criteria.

The SBMA Offers partial and full scholarships for studio classes. Scholarship applications should be submitted no later than two weeks before the start of the class session. Any applications turned in after that time may be considered for the following session if funding is available. Scholarship Applicants will be notified via email no later than the week before the start of classes.

*Applicants will be asked to submit a 1040 Individual tax return form. Link to form: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040.pdf

All Youth class tuition includes tools and supplies. Adult class tuition does not include tools and supplies.

Limit one scholarship a year per applicant. Applying for a scholarship does not guarantee acceptance. Each application will be reviewed by the executive director, Lisa Shaffer. 

South Bend Museum of Art, Art Instructor/Teaching Artist Application

Responsibilities

Provide in-person instruction to students (ages 6-adult) enrolled in art classes in a particular medium (ceramics, drawing, painting, mixed-media, sculpture, photography, or other artistic field of study.

Design and conduct art curriculum in collaboration/ approval with the Education Department at SBMA under the supervision of Curator of Education and Studio Programs, Katie Neece. 

Prepare and maintain a successful and efficient classroom environment.

Prepare learning materials to promote and encourage interest and successful learning outcomes.

Explain and demonstrate artistic techniques.

Establish a safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environment for a diverse population of students.  Minimum Qualifications  Expertise in the media being presented, to include experience in teaching youth and/or adults; ability to communicate effectively and develop positive relationships with people from different cultural backgrounds; innovation/creativity in artistic area; energetic. dependable and flexible; collaborative work style; ability to think critically and solve problems; ability to work a varied schedule, including evenings and weekends as necessary; good communication skills.  Preferred Qualifications  Master of Fine Arts (MFA), Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree (BFA), Bachelor of Arts (BA), or equivalent experience teaching or instructing in the field in a studio setting.  Applicants are welcome to apply. We value diverse perspectives and encourage individuals with a genuine interest in the role to submit their applications.  Other Position Details:

• Does not supervise others
• Position will not drive CC vehicles
• Correspondence with students and Education Dept. via email 
• Does not receive an SBMA email address
• Instructors will be subject to a background check upon hiring

Application Instructions:

• Continuous Recruitment - depending on availability apply by: open until filled
• This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
• Required: Please submit a PDF including artist bio, CV and 3 images of work or a link to your website to be considered, along with a proposal for the class you would like to teach (please include age group, media, and subject matter). 

Instructor Pay:

• All instructors are paid $28 per contact hour (adult studio classes run 3 hours, youth + teen classes run typically for 2 hours).
• There are no full-time teaching positions available for teaching at SBMA. 
• Teaching positions are on a part-time, contract basis per session. 
• Instructors can teach up to 3 classes max per session, with approval from the Education Department.

What We Offer:  Use of open studio space free of charge, discounts taking classes, opportunities to participate in community art shows: Student Faculty Show and Aloft Hotel art show, and workshops.   

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The South Bend Museum of Art is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We believe in fostering a workplace that values diverse perspectives and experiences, which enriches our work and strengthens our community.

Questions? Please contact Katie Neece, Curator of Education and Studio Programs: neecek@southbendart.org