The Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie is accepting submissions for Ellarslie Open 43, its annual juried exhibition in Cadwalader Park, with a firm entry deadline of May 6.
The exhibition invites artists working in a wide range of media, including painting, sculpture, works on paper, photography, and digital art. Artists may submit up to four works for consideration, with all entries submitted digitally through the EntryThingy platform.
Entries are reviewed through a multi-stage jurying process, with an initial online review followed by an in-person round for selected works. Final selections are made for inclusion in the exhibition, and all accepted pieces are installed in both the museum and its online gallery.
This year’s juror is Adam Welch, executive director of the Arts Council of Princeton, who will oversee the selection process and awards. Cash prizes are presented for Best in Show, category awards, and additional sponsored recognitions.
First presented in 1983, the Ellarslie Open has developed into one of the region’s most established juried exhibitions, drawing entries from across New Jersey, Pennsylvania and beyond. In 2025, more than 520 works were submitted, with approximately 110 selected for exhibition.
The exhibition will open with an artists’ and members’ reception on June 6, followed by a public opening weekend, and will remain on view through early September. Additional programming, including gallery talks and artist events, is scheduled during the run of the show.
Accepted works must be available for the duration of the exhibition and are required to be for sale, with the museum handling transactions and artist payments under its standard commission structure.
For artists, the exhibition offers the opportunity to present work in a professional museum setting while reaching a broad audience during peak summer visitation, making it one of the more competitive and visible open calls in the Mercer County arts scene.
Deadline May 6. Submit at ellarslie.org
WW Arts call targets faculty, student work
The West Windsor Arts Council is accepting submissions for its 2026 Faculty & Student Art Show, with an entry deadline of April 28 and exhibition dates set for May 19 through June 27.
The exhibition invites teaching artists and students of all ages to submit original work created through West Windsor Arts classes, camps and workshops during the past year. Students may submit up to three works, while teaching artists may submit up to two, and the organization notes that each participant will have at least one piece included in the show.
Eligible work spans a wide range of media, including drawing, painting, sculpture, poetry, digital art, and animation. Submissions are reviewed by staff in collaboration with teaching artists to ensure that the final exhibition reflects the breadth of work produced through the center’s educational programs.
The exhibition will be presented in both the gallery and lobby spaces, offering artists the opportunity to display work in a professional setting and engage directly with visitors. Participants are encouraged to attend the opening reception and discuss their work as part of the public program.
Students in the Certificate of Fine Arts program will receive additional recognition during the exhibition, with milestone achievements acknowledged and one work selected for inclusion in the organization’s permanent collection.
There is no fee to submit, and artists must provide standard entry information along with a digital image of their work as part of the application process.
Deadline April 28. Submit at westwindsorarts.org.
Student video contest targets endangered species
The Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey has extended registration for its 2026 Species on the Edge 2.0 Conservation Challenge, a statewide competition for high school students.
Student teams are asked to create a multimedia video presentation focused on a threatened or endangered species in New Jersey. Projects must combine scientific research, storytelling and proposed conservation solutions, with an emphasis on real-world environmental impact.
Teams work collaboratively with guidance from an adult facilitator, but the projects are designed to be student-led. Submissions are evaluated on creativity, scientific understanding and the effectiveness of the conservation message.
Cash prizes include $2,000 for first place, along with additional awards for runners-up and participating facilitators.
Register by April 22. Submit videos by May 15. Details at conservewildlifenj.org/education/edge2-0
Actors’ NET launches summer program
Actors’ NET of Bucks County is accepting registrations for its 2026 Summer Stars theater camp, a four-week program running Aug. 3 through Aug. 27.
The program is open to students ages 7 to 17 and focuses on acting, singing, and dance, while also introducing participants to technical and behind-the-scenes aspects of theater production. The program concludes with a performance for family and friends.
The program is designed for students of all experience levels, offering structured instruction alongside a collaborative rehearsal process.
Registration is currently open. Details at actorsnetbucks.org
Villagers Theatre opens registration
Villagers Theatre is accepting registrations for its Summer Theatre Arts program, with sessions running from late June through early August.
The program is open to students ages 7 to 15 and includes training in acting, voice and dance, with each session culminating in a staged performance. This year’s productions include Moana Jr. and High School Musical 2 Jr.
The structured format provides participants with both performance experience and instruction across multiple aspects of theater production. Registration closes June 1. Apply at villagerstheatre.org.
PlayLab seeks plays for development
The Bucks County Playhouse is accepting submissions for its PlayLab program, which supports the development of new theatrical works through a structured process of readings and workshops.
Playwrights selected for the program collaborate with professional directors and actors to refine scripts through rehearsal and feedback sessions. The process includes staged readings that allow writers to hear their work performed and make revisions based on audience and creative team response.
The program is open to both emerging and established writers and serves as a regional pipeline for new work. Projects developed through PlayLab may be considered for future full productions, offering participants a pathway beyond the initial submission stage.
Submission window currently open. Details at bcptheater.org.
