The Community Arts Initiative’s Artist Project, hosted by the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) in Boston, invites experienced artists to lead a collaborative art project with children aged six to twelve from twelve local after-school organizations. The selected Lead Artist will create a work inspired by the MFA’s collection, culminating in an exhibition at the Edward H. Linde Gallery in the Linde Family Wing for Contemporary Art. This project emphasizes community engagement, creativity, and accessibility, offering an opportunity to showcase artistic talent while enriching young participants’ experiences.

The chosen artist receives a $50,000 stipend and a $5,000 materials budget. Responsibilities include planning and leading sessions with the children, coordinating with MFA staff, and guiding the project to its final exhibition form. The timeline involves an application deadline on January 17, 2025, and artist selection notifications by March 21, 2025. Planning begins in July 2025, with sessions running from October 2025 to April 2026. The installation and exhibition will follow in April and May 2026, respectively.

Eligibility is open to artists with experience completing large-scale projects involving community engagement, collaboration, and working with children. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to lead sessions across multiple sites and accommodate after-school program schedules. Sessions typically take place at the MFA and local community centers, lasting approximately 2.5 hours during weekdays between 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm.

Applications are submitted online via Submittable and reviewed by a panel comprising MFA staff and representatives from participating community organizations. Judging criteria include the artist’s ability to creatively engage participants with the MFA’s collection, the feasibility of completing the project within the timeframe and budget, clarity of the vision for the final work, and flexibility in managing group dynamics and participation challenges.

An online information session is scheduled for January 4, 2025, from 10:00 am to 11:30 am on Zoom, offering prospective applicants an opportunity to learn more about the project and ask questions. RSVP by emailing artistproject@mfa.org.

The Artist Project provides a platform for artists to create meaningful, collaborative works while fostering connections between art, the MFA’s collection, and the local community.