Overview
    The Seaport Art Walk is an annual outdoor public art exhibition that takes place along the waterfront and in the Seaport Cultural District in New Bedford, Massachusetts. This year, artists are invited to submit a proposal for a new or existing outdoor temporary sculpture or mural, or digital photography of other genres of work, inspired by the theme “Good Trouble.” This is a juried show, with reviewers from the partnerships listed below.

New Artwork: Call for Art Proposals (receive up to $2,500 in funding per artwork)
     Artists may submit up to three (3) proposals and need to include the following materials:

• Basic information: include your name, phone, email, website or social media, title of project, narrative description of the project addressing the theme (see below for more details), and anticipated dimensions of the artwork.
• Schematic design: address how your artwork will sustain the high winds and high traffic area along the waterfront (for those submitting mural proposals, refer to the approved locations below).
• Schedule of maintenance: address how your artwork will be maintained in pristine condition for a minimum of four months in a high wind, high traffic area.
• Budget: include cost of estimated fabrication, construction, and installation/de-installation, as well as total cost of value and/or sale price.
• Artist credentials: include resume/CV (required) and artist statement (optional).
• Past work: upload at least three (3) images (best to include past public art).

Existing Artwork: Call for Art Proposals (receive up to $1,000 in funding per artwork)
     Artists may submit up to three (3) proposals and need to include the following materials:

• Basic information: include your name, phone, email, website or social media, title of project, narrative description of the project addressing the theme (see below for more details), and dimensions of the artwork.
• Photos of proposed work: upload up to three (3) images (best to include different angles if possible).
• Schedule of maintenance: address how your artwork will be maintained in pristine condition for a minimum of four months in a high wind, high traffic area.
• Budget: include cost of installation/de-installation, as well as total cost of value and/or sale price.
• Artist credentials: include resume/CV (required) and artist statement (optional).

Digital Gallery Exhibition: Call for Art Proposals (receive up to $250 in funding)
     We encourage artists working in all mediums to apply. Submit up to three (3) digital images of your artwork—painting, sculpture, textiles, installation, performance documentation, photography, or any other form of creative expression.

• Basic information: include your name, phone, email, website or social media, New Bedford address, title of project, narrative description of the project addressing the theme (see below for more details), and medium of the original form of artwork. 
• Artist credentials: include resume/CV (required) and artist statement (optional).
• Photographs: upload a minimum of three and up to six photos with a minimum resolution of 3300 x 5100 at 72ppi.

Deadline: Proposals are due Monday, February 23, 2026 by 11:59PM EST.

Timeline

• Deadline for proposals: February 23, 2026
• Artist notifications sent: March 20, 2026
• Installation dates: June 29–July 8, 2026, coordinated with Jessica Bregoli-Sparling, curator
• Exhibition dates: official opening is Thursday, July 9, through October 31, 2026. If accepted, please save 5-8pm on 7/9/26 to participate in a walking tour on AHA! Night.
• Take-down dates (responsibility of artists): October 26–31, 2026, to be coordinated with Zane Cox, project manager.

Total Project Award

• Artist stipend for new outdoor artwork is up to $2,500 per artwork. Artist stipend for existing outdoor work is up to $1,000 per artwork. Artist stipend for featured digital photography is up to $250. Insurance is not provided.
• Invitation to present your art on the official opening night on AHA!, the evening of Thursday, July 9, 2026.
• All winning projects will be featured in print and online media, and a profile piece featured on social media platforms, including New Bedford Creative.

Visit newbedfordcreative.org/seaport-art-walk for examples of work from previous years and locations where artwork is usually installed. Offensive, negative, or discriminatory content is not permitted. All designs and text must align with civic property guidelines for public display. For any additional questions pertaining to content guidelines, please contact Zane Cox, Project Manager at zcox@nbedc.org.

2026 Theme: “Good Trouble”

Protest and poetry, disruption and healing, resistance and creation
     In 2026, we’re inviting artists to get into a bit of “Good Trouble.” This Call for Art challenges corruption and injustice, seeking bold works that dare to imagine a more equitable world. This exhibition – marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence – honors those who speak truth to power and invites artists to create in that legacy, exploring themes of civil disobedience, community organizing, cultural resistance, and more.

New Bedford has long been a city of resistance. During the American Revolution, British naval intelligence described it as “a harbour much used by the rebel privateers,” whose vessels “greatly annoyed His Majesty’s trade.” This history reminds us that the spirit of challenging authority and defending our community runs deep in our city.

This year’s featured works will be rooted in activism and social progress; they might confront unjust systems of power, honor the local freedom fighters that came before us, or tell stories from the front lines of marches and movements. Above all, they will serve as expressions of solidarity and hope, standing as beacons of light in times of darkness. 

“Good Trouble” is our Call for Art this year – but it’s also a call to action. 

"Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America.” 

—Representative John Lewis, 2020

History
    Founded in 2013 by artist and curator Jessica Bregoli-Sparling, the Seaport Art Walk is the city’s first large format outdoor temporary public art installation. Each summer, sculptures and murals are strategically placed along New Bedford’s working waterfront and Seaport Cultural District. 

Seaport Art Walk is facilitated by New Bedford Creative, housed at the New Bedford  Economic Development Council, and a collaboration with the New Bedford Creative  Consortium, the City of New Bedford’s Parks, Recreation and Beaches and Tourism and Marketing Departments, Massachusetts Design, Art, and Technology Institute (DATMA), New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center, UMass Dartmouth College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA), and Bristol Community College (BCC) Visual and Performing Arts Department. 

This program is supported in part by a grant from the New Bedford Cultural Council, a local  agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency, as well as the City of New Bedford’s Arts, Culture and Tourism Fund, with additional support from Bristol County Savings Bank and Barr Foundation.