Digital Explorations 2027: MFA Juried Digital Photography, Animation and Video Exhibition
The Maryland Federation of Art (MFA) has opened Digital Explorations 2027, an online, juried exhibition dedicated to artwork genuinely created or produced with digital technology. Its scope includes digital photography, digital painting, illustration, graphic design, animation, video, projection and image-based three-dimensional work. The submission deadline is 9 December 2026 at 11:59 p.m. according to the organizer's 2027 call, with the virtual exhibition scheduled from 15 February to 14 April 2027.
Geographic eligibility: verify the conflicting official wording
The 2027 listing first invites artists resident in the United States, Canada or Mexico. In the same linked ArtCall conditions, however, a later standard clause refers to international entry. As these two statements are not completely consistent, artists living outside North America should ask the Maryland Federation of Art for written eligibility confirmation before paying a nonrefundable entry fee. This article does not claim unrestricted worldwide access. All entrants should read the full current prospectus and the general exhibition rules for their location.
Media, authenticity and eligibility of works
The jury considers original two- or three-dimensional image-based art created or produced using software, including digital composite photography, 3D print-based artwork and time-based media. Artists may enter up to six original works made within the previous three years. The submitted documentation must represent the actual works. MFA explicitly excludes images produced through image-generative AI, reproduced artworks and works displayed in its virtual gallery within the preceding three years. Video entrants should use the submission instructions for still images and an accompanying URL, rather than assuming the system accepts arbitrarily large files.
Fees, awards and dates
The listed nonmember entry fee is US$45 for one or two works and US$6.75 per additional work, up to six in total. Current MFA members pay US$30 for their first one or two works and US$4.50 for each extra submission. Artist notifications are planned for 14 January 2027 and awards announced 1 March; the total juror-selected cash award pool is US$500. Artwork is offered through the MFA online sales system under its own commission conditions; not all international applicants can set a fixed sale price, so consult the sale and Price on Request provisions.
Organizer and independent background
Founded in 1963, the Maryland Federation of Art is a nonprofit visual-arts institution in Annapolis that administers Circle Gallery, juried shows, virtual exhibitions and artist opportunities. The organization's 2026–27 calls are listed publicly on its own site. The juror identified for the 2027 digital exhibition, Mollye Bendell, works in digital and immersive media design at the University of Maryland. Named artistic leadership, exhibition dates and the official external entry platform support verification of the call, while eligibility contradictions merit direct inquiry.
Application links
Begin at MFA's official calls page https://mdfedart.com/call-for-artists/ and open Digital Explorations. The affiliated ArtCall listing contains the 2027 rules: https://mail.artcallentry.com/calls/digital-explorations-2027_34544 . Submit up to six eligible works, confirm the current application fee and keep the payment acknowledgment. Applicants outside the US, Canada and Mexico should seek confirmation of residency eligibility before sending payment.
Independently researched on 21 October 2026. Before entering, consult the linked organizer page for the controlling rules and any changes to the deadline, fee or eligibility.