Columbia Artists Invited to Show What “Belonging” Looks Like in New Citywide Art Project

Columbia artists are being asked to turn the idea of belonging into art as part of When a City Sings: Columbia in Concert, a community-created music and storytelling project connected to the City of Columbia Artist Laureate program.

In collaboration with the Columbia Art League, the project is now accepting submissions for a juried visual art exhibition that will be presented alongside the culminating When a City Sings performance at the Missouri Theater in March 2027.

Important Dates and Details

Submission deadline: Jan. 1, 2027
Exhibition/performance date: March 14, 2027
Location: Missouri Theater, Columbia
Who: Visual artists interested in responding to the theme of belonging
Submission form: Artist Submission Form

What Does Belonging Look Like?

Throughout the When a City Sings project, people across Columbia have shared stories about identity, memory, hope, connection and what it means to truly know and care for one another.

Two phrases have emerged from those conversations: “Seen. Beheld. Known.” and “I can be me with you.”

Artists are invited to use those ideas as inspiration while considering a larger question: What does belonging look like to you?

That could mean creating work inspired by the people who know you, places that hold important memories, personal identity, meaningful connections or even the kind of community you hope Columbia is still becoming.

Artists Have Room to Get Creative

Artwork does not have to literally illustrate the project’s music or the phrases that came from the community conversations. Artists are welcome to interpret the theme broadly and make it their own.

Those who sign up will also be provided with samples of the original music for additional inspiration.

Selected pieces will become part of the visual art exhibition presented in connection with When a City Sings: Columbia in Concert on March 14, 2027, bringing Columbia’s music, stories and visual art together for the culminating event.

Artists interested in participating have until Jan. 1, 2027, to submit their work for consideration.

Submission form and additional details: https://forms.gle/d55N52qhXyhtdRJx7