The Arts Award has been presented since 1976 to recognize individuals and organizations whose vision, commitment and leadership have enriched the cultural life of Westchester, its communities and its citizens.
 

Each spring, Arts Awards are given in the following categories: Arts Patron, Artist, Arts Organization, Community and Education. Please refer to ArtsWestchester's website for descriptions of each category. Awards will be presented at a reception at Brae Burn County Club, Friday March 13, 2026.

Submission Deadline: Tuesday, December 2, 2025 at 11:59pm

The Art$WChallenge matches gifts made in direct response to the Art$WChallenge during the period of August 15 through December 15, 2025. 

All donation documentation including donor form and proof of paid donation must be submitted through Submittable and will be processed in the order in which it is received. Matching funds are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Participating organizations are encouraged to submit promptly, final submission deadline for documentation is 5PM on Friday, December 19, 2025. Hard copies or submissions by email will not be accepted. 

The Janet Langsam Vault Project is based on the belief that artists are visionaries who advance social change on both a micro and macro level. The Vault Project seeks to create an opportunity for artists to experiment, expand their practice, and have their voices heard. ArtsWestchester will provide funding for artists to conceptualize and realize site-responsive installations which also engage with important topics in the community. Of the project, Langsam says, “as vaults traditionally hold objects of high value, this space will be a permanent venue for artists to create, explore, and contribute to meaningful conversations. It is meant to elevate the intrinsic value of the arts beyond the marketplace.”

In 1998, as CEO of ArtsWestchester, Langsam led the acquisition and restoration of the People’s Bank & Trust building, a nine-story historic landmark now known as the Arts Exchange. Langsam sees the transformation of the building into an arts center protecting the building as a trusted place for the community. Artist studios, an exhibition and performance space, and educational opportunities are available for area residents and visitors year-round. The Mosler Safe Company’s vault, measuring 11ft x 15ft, is the focal point of the Grand Banking Room gallery. During ArtsWestchester’s initial renovation of the building in 2000, the vault was converted into a discreet gallery within a gallery. The 168 square foot space is ideal for promoting intimate experiences with outstanding works of art.
 

About the Opportunity:

Artists are invited to submit proposals for the Janet Langsam Vault Project. Selected artists shall receive a grant of $3,500 to realize a site-responsive installation within the decommissioned bank vault in the gallery of ArtsWestchester.  In addition, the artist is asked to design and lead a community engagement component of their project to be shared with the public, this can include an artist-led workshop, class, or event. There are two (2) available times. Artists should consider the following in shaping proposals:

• The Vault space is an opportunity in which to change or create an environment. The goal is for the viewer to have a thoughtful interaction by engaging with the vault as both a physical space and a conceptual idea. We welcome proposals in any/all media including performance, intervention, installation, sculpture, painting, photography, sound, video, text and projection.

• The selected proposal will clearly outline a vision for the space, have a specific point of view, and will stand out for its originality, creativity, and site-sensitivity/responsiveness. This is not an opportunity to exhibit discrete, individual works of art, but rather to create an immersive experience for the viewer.

• Projects can be provocative, keeping in mind we are an inclusive public space, with a broad audience, which includes many young viewers as well as the diverse cultural communities that make up Westchester County.

• Applicants should be able to demonstrate a capacity to develop/create an expansive installation.

• Finalist will work with ArtsWestchester to develop an artist-led workshop based on their project following the opening of the vault.

• Awards will be made by a panel of professionals in the art field.

Application Materials:

- Contact information (name, address, email, etc)

- Vision Statement for the Vault Project (250 words)

- Proposal (up to 5 images of sketches/models/etc)

- Previous Works (up to 10 images with a maximum of 20)

Timeline: 

RFP opens November 8, 2025

RFP deadline December 5, 2025

Finalist Interviews February 2026

Announcement of Finalist April 2026

Installation May 2026 OR September 2026

Exhibition May - July 2026 OR September 2026 - January 2027

Terms:

- Funds are all-inclusive of the needs of the project. ArtsWestchester will not pay past the allotted amount for additional expenses.

- ArtsWestchester reserves the right to decline all proposals if none meet the criteria as scored by the panel.

- Funds will be disbursed after all agreements are signed. 50% will be given at signing, 25% upon satisfactory completion of the installation, 25% upon completion of public engagement component of the project.

- ArtsWestchester reserves the right to terminate the project if it is deemed unsafe, inappropriate, or not in keeping with the approved proposal.

- ArtsWestchester will clean and prep the Vault prior to installation. Artists can expect white walls and lighting at the beginning of project.

- Artists should be available for an opening reception, which will include a short 10-15 minute artist talk, to be followed by a private donor reception off-site. 

    Key Information:

The Mosler Safe was built out of steel. In it's conversion, plywood was added to allow for artwork to be hung on the walls. Please note the ceiling is made of steel and cannot be drilled into, though heavy-duty magnets work. There is a single outlet for electronics. The dimensions of the space is 11 ft by 15 ft. As there is a slight elevation, there is an accessible 12" ramp integrated into the room, original to the design. 

Questions can be sent to Logan Hanley, lhanley@artswestchester.org. 

ArtsWestchester believes that artists are often keen observers of their time and place; they create artworks that respond to the challenges and triumphs of the moment, illuminate complex issues, and inspire dialog around current local and global events. Individual artists are invited to submit existing artworks for an exhibition opportunity that aligns with ArtsWestchester’s programmatic mission. Its series The Arts Exchange , aims to both gain deeper insight into the minds of artists and provide a public forum that highlights the people and ideas shaping our local creative economy. 

This opportunity is an open call for works by Westchester and Rockland County artists. The exhibition will be on view in ArtsWestchester’s gallery, within its historic landmark building at 31 Mamaroneck Avenue in White Plains, from February through April 2026. Artists applying for this opportunity should take note of the guidelines below. Applications that do not meet these conditions will not be considered. 

About ArtsWestchester’s Exhibition Programming:

ArtsWestchester is committed to supporting and promoting regional artists. The organization acquired the former People’s National Trust building in 1998 and converted it into a venue for the arts. Now a creative hub in the heart of downtown White Plains, the organization plays a major role in raising awareness and inspiring discussion around contemporary local and global issues. 

ArtsWestchester regularly displays works that advance thoughtfulness about topics that resonate within its local communities. This has included Modern Families, a photographic inquiry into an expanded look at who and what constitutes the American family and She, a deconstruction of female identity and reflection of modern womanhood. 

The Arts Exchange: An Open Call Opportunity for Individual Artists

ArtsWestchester will look for artworks of all media and content. Artists are encouraged to consider ArtsWestchester’s exhibition history in selecting their works for submission. Additional guidelines and eligibility requirements include:

• Artists must work, reside or maintain a studio in Westchester or Rockland County. 
• Artists may submit up to three (3) works for review. 
• Artworks cannot exceed 48” in any  direction (including the display of multiple units of objects within one      work). 
• Application deadline is December 12,2025 through Submittable. Notifications will be sent out by the last week of February. ArtsWestchester will not consider applications that are not submitted via Submittable.
• Applications will be reviewed and selected by the Public Programs staff in conversation with the      ArtsWestchester Arts Committee.

Important Dates:

RFP opens: November 12, 2025

Application Deadline: December 12, 2025

Notifications: December 19, 2025

Loan Agreement signed and returned: Dec 31, 2025 

Individual Artists: 

Dropoff of artwork: January 20 - 23, 2026

Exhibition opens: February 14, 2026

Opening Reception: February 21, 2026

Exhibition closes: April 12, 2026

Artwork pickup: April 13 – 17. 2026

Terms and Conditions: 

- Selected artworks must come to the gallery ready to be installed with proper hardware. ArtsWestchester has the sole discretion as to the location, positioning and pedestal selection of artwork in the gallery.

- Artworks that contain digital media must include a USB with properly formatted files. ArtsWestchester holds a limited number of projectors and monitors. 

- Awardee will sign a Loan Agreement, which will include information including the artist’s name, materials, date of creation and retail price. Information contained within the Loan Agreement will be used for wall labels and cannot be changed afterwards. Loan Agreements that are not signed and returned by December 31, 2025 will be excluded from exhibition and artwork will not be received. 

- ArtsWestchester takes a 40% commission on sold artwork. 

- ArtsWestchester will host one (1) public reception and provide basic food/beverage. Any extra provisions will be paid for and maintained by Awardee (collective/curator). 

- Gallery hours, subject to change, for public viewing are Wednesday –Sunday, 12-5pm

- ArtsWestchester will deinstall artwork within the following week of exhibition closing, during normal business hours. Artwork pickup will be made available during normal business hours for up to two weeks after the exhibition closes. Any artwork left after this period will be deemed abandoned and ArtsWestchester will use its discretion for its removal. 

- ArtsWestchester retains the right to remove artwork that is deemed unsafe or inappropriate. 

Questions for this application can be sent to Megan Meadowlark (mmeadowlark@artswestchester.org).