JCAST 2026 Artist Opportunities
JCAST 2026 included opportunities involving exhibitions, guided tours, design, and film during the festival weekend of October 1–4, 2026.
The following overview brings the announced calls together by discipline. Each opportunity follows its own application process and timeline.
These listings document how opportunities for JCAST 2026 were announced and structured; application periods and availability are now closed.
Official Exhibition Applications
The organizers announced June 3, 2026 as the date when details of the official exhibition call were released.
Consult the organizer’s exhibition application page and preview document for the complete requirements.
Curatorial Program: Unbounded Nature
Liberty State Park
The curatorial opportunity for Unbounded Nature concerns an indoor exhibition featuring painting, photography, and sculpture.
The exhibition’s proposed themes connect nature with landscape, identity, urban environments, and personal or cultural narratives.
The program is intended to include artists at different stages of their practice, with participation from students, educators, and emerging through established artists.
Curatorial Responsibilities
The role includes:
- Developing the exhibition’s curatorial framework.
- Selecting approximately 20–30 artists.
- Coordinating student and community participation.
- Planning the exhibition layout.
- Supporting artist outreach and partnerships.
- Collaborating on talks and walkthroughs.
Application Materials
The call requested a curatorial statement of up to 500 words, a portfolio of previous exhibitions, a CV or biography, and a description of the applicant’s connection to New Jersey.
A proposed artist list was optional.
The organizers indicated that the curator was selected. The role included a stipend and production support, with a six-day exhibition planned for the fall.
Art Tour Proposals
Artists, curators, and other creatives were invited to develop tours connecting participating JCAST locations.
Suggested subjects include:
- Working artist studios.
- Photography, ceramics, textiles, and sculpture.
- Murals, graffiti, and public art.
- Latinx, Asian, and Black artists.
- Music, poetry, and dance.
Proposed formats include studio shuttles visiting six to eight buildings and curated three-hour routes with approximately 12–15 stops.
Tours were intended for Saturday and Sunday, with the possibility of two trips per day.
Application deadline (past): June 15, 2026.
Contact: thecreativesidejc@gmail.com
Email subject: JCAST ART TOURS
JCAST 2026 Tote Bag Design
The tote-bag call invited original artwork responding to Unbounded Nature.
The selected design was intended for a limited-edition tote distributed during JCAST and featured in organizer promotions.
Design Guidelines
- Include the JCAST logo.
- Work clearly in one to three printed colors.
- Reproduce effectively on fabric.
- Use a layout suitable for a tote bag.
Submission Materials
- One or two design concepts or relevant examples.
- Artist statement of 100–150 words.
- Portfolio or Instagram link.
- Contact information.
The opportunity was open to JCAST artists and Jersey City-connected artists and creatives.
Submission deadline (past): June 30, 2026.
Selection period: July 2026.
Planned release: October 2026.
Contact: thecreativesidejc@gmail.com
Email subject: JCAST TOTE
JCAST × 902 Brewing: Beer-Can Artwork
This collaboration invited artwork for a limited-edition JCAST × 902 Brewing beer can.
The theme connects Jersey City, nature, movement, and the local creative community.
Illustration, painting, digital work, and mixed media are among the approaches welcomed.
Submission Materials
- One to three artworks or concepts.
- Artist statement of 100–150 words.
- Portfolio or Instagram link.
- Contact information.
The opportunity included organizer promotion and participation in a launch event at 902 Brewing.
Selections were planned for late July, with a launch during JCAST weekend.
The organizers set their own submission deadline for this collaboration; artists should refer to archived organizer materials for specific dates.
Contact: thecreativesidejc@gmail.com
Email subject: JCAST x 902 Submission
Short Films at Liberty State Park
Blue Room Screening Program
The film call invited short works exploring nature and its relationships with consciousness, community, and urban life.
Formats include narrative, documentary, experimental film, animation, video art, environmental film, and multicultural or identity-focused storytelling.
Jersey City-based artists and filmmakers will receive priority.
Submission Materials
- Screener link.
- Synopsis of 100–150 words.
- Director biography.
- Runtime.
- Contact information.
- Optional still images or poster.
Films should be no longer than 15 minutes, with shorter works preferred.
Submission deadline (past): June 30, 2026.
Selection notification: July 15, 2026.
Screenings were scheduled for October 1–4, 2026.
Contact: info@thejcast.com
Email subject: JCAST 2026 FILM SUBMISSION
Organizer Information
Jersey City Art shares these opportunities as independent editorial coverage. Applications should go directly to the contacts identified by the organizers.