Call for Entries - Ofrendas: Celebrating el Día de Muertos 2023
In Mexico, and other Latin American countries, the Day of the Dead is the time of the year to celebrate the lives of close relatives, friends or community members who have passed away. Objects important to lost loved ones, such as favorite foods, drinks, mementos and pictures, are collected and incorporated into elaborate displays that include pan de muerto (bread of the dead), sugar skulls, candles, flowers, papel picado (paper cutouts) and other decorations.
The Detroit Institute of Arts, in collaboration with the Consulate of Mexico in Detroit, the Southwest Detroit Business Association and Mexicantown CDC, is looking for local artists and community members to participate in the museum’s 11th Annual Ofrendas: Celebrating el Día de Muertos exhibition at the museum.
Interested participants are encouraged to submit a proposal of an ofrenda altar or offering honoring the life and memory of lost loved ones as part of a celebration of the traditions of Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead).
Proposals will be reviewed by a selection committee composed of DIA staff and local community members and considered using the following criteria: clarity of intent (who or what is being honored), level of displayed artistry and/or creativity and alignment with the values and characteristics of the Día de Muertos tradition.
How to participate
To submit a proposal, fill out the submission form here by May 14, 2023. Additional information and a materials list are included on the linked form. A Spanish version is also available here.
Selected artists will be notified by Monday, May 29 2023.
The selected ofrendas will be displayed to the public from September 23 – November 5, 2023, in the Special Exhibitions Galleries south of Rivera Court. The artist or group of artists of each selected ofrenda will receive a $500 stipend.
In Mexico, and other Latin American countries, the Day of the Dead is the time of the year to celebrate the lives of close relatives, friends or community members who have passed away. Objects important to lost loved ones, such as favorite foods, drinks, mementos and pictures, are collected and incorporated into elaborate displays that include pan de muerto (bread of the dead), sugar skulls, candles, flowers, papel picado (paper cutouts) and other decorations.
The Detroit Institute of Arts, in collaboration with the Consulate of Mexico in Detroit, the Southwest Detroit Business Association and Mexicantown CDC, is looking for local artists and community members to participate in the museum’s 11th Annual Ofrendas: Celebrating el Día de Muertos exhibition at the museum.
Interested participants are encouraged to submit a proposal of an ofrenda altar or offering honoring the life and memory of lost loved ones as part of a celebration of the traditions of Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead).
Proposals will be reviewed by a selection committee composed of DIA staff and local community members and considered using the following criteria: clarity of intent (who or what is being honored), level of displayed artistry and/or creativity and alignment with the values and characteristics of the Día de Muertos tradition.
How to participate
To submit a proposal, fill out the submission form here by May 14, 2023. Additional information and a materials list are included on the linked form. A Spanish version is also available here.
Selected artists will be notified by Monday, May 29 2023.
The selected ofrendas will be displayed to the public from September 23 – November 5, 2023, in the Special Exhibitions Galleries south of Rivera Court. The artist or group of artists of each selected ofrenda will receive a $500 stipend.