PORTRAITS Project – Call for Trans and Nonbinary Artists

The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC (GMCW) is seeking artwork by trans and nonbinary artists to be included as part of the “PORTRAITS” project. 

PORTRAITS represents through visual art, music, and dance, the spectrum of sexual, gender, racial, ethnic, and cultural identities. Paintings, drawings, and photographs are welcome. The artwork may be a portrait or a scene depicting an aspect of the human experience, including identity expression and historical references specific to the LGBTQ+ community. Photographs of selected artworks will be projected as part of a live performance, brought to life aurally by music inspired by the selected artwork, and visually by GMCW’s 17th Street Dance Company. 

Artists may submit works from their existing portfolio, or the artist may submit a sample or sketch of a proposed work to be developed should the artist and their work be selected. If selected, completed proposed works will be due April 4, 2025.

If selected, the artist will give permission for their work to be included as part of the PORTRAITS project to be used in perpetuity in performance as part of the PORTRAITS composition. The artist will also give permission for the artwork to be displayed electronically in perpetuity as part of the curated exhibit on GMCW’s website. Other than the usage described here, the artist will retain ownership and rights to their piece.

Compensation to the artist for selected works is $2,500.

Artwork may be submitted HERE, no later than November 1, 2024. More than one work or sketch may be submitted. Artists will be notified of selection by December 20, 2024.