Art & creative community0 open opportunities listed
About the organization
Founded in 1905 by the Carolina Art Association, the Gibbes Museum of Art is Charleston’s oldest art institution and a vital repository of American art with a distinct focus on the American South. Its founding ethos—to preserve and present the region’s visual culture—has evolved into a dynamic program that balances historical holdings with a rigorous commitment to contemporary Southern art. The museum’s 1858 Prize for Contemporary Southern Art, established in 2008, exemplifies this dual mission, awarding $10,000 annually to an artist whose work contributes to a new understanding of art in the South. The prize is non-acquisitive and open to artists working in any media, reflecting the Gibbes’s belief in supporting living artists and fostering critical dialogue across generations and geographies.
Programs & opportunities
2 listed
Taking part
The 1858 Prize is awarded to a single artist annually; there is no open call for submissions. Artists are nominated by a rotating panel of curators, critics, and past winners, and the museum does not accept unsolicited applications. To be considered, an artist should have a substantial exhibition record and a practice that engages with the American South—whether through theme, material, or conceptual framework. While direct applications are not possible, artists can increase visibility by participating in regional exhibitions, building relationships with Southern curators, and documenting their work thoroughly. The Gibbes also hosts occasional open calls for group exhibitions; these are announced on its website and social media, and artists are encouraged to subscribe to the museum’s newsletter for timely updates.