The UT San Antonio Institute of Texan Cultures invites Texas artists to participate in its upcoming exhibition, “Unearthed: Artifact to Artwork,” opening in summer 2027. Selected artists will identify and object from the ITC Collection, conduct research, and create an artwork inspired by their findings. Both the original work and artifact will be exhibited in the museum’s gallery.
“Over the years, the institute has acquired objects that were at one point a part of people’s daily lives,” said Bianca Alvarez, ITC head curator. “These artifacts have had lives of their own, carrying history and embodying collective memory. This is an opportunity to reexamine these objects—inspired by curiosity and creative inquiry—to draw new meaningful connections between the past, present, and future.”
This exhibition will pair historical artifacts with newly commissioned works by Texas artists, inviting visitors to consider museum collections as sites for conversation. By presenting contemporary artwork alongside objects from the institute’s collection, “Unearthed” explores how artistic expression can lead to understanding ourselves and our shared histories.
Application Guidelines:
- Complete and submit the online form with attachments by 11:59pm on Aug. 10
- Artists must reside in Texas and be over the age of 18
- Attachments (PDF only) must include:
- CV or resume
- 3 to 5 artwork samples created between 2021 to present
- Please include artwork title, date, media, and dimensions for each sample
The institute will notify selected artists in September 2026. Texas artists interested in participating can visit the “Unearthed: Artifact to Artwork” Call for Artists webpage for more information and to complete the application form.