NextGen 2025 Application is now open!
The Institute of Contemporary Art, San Diego is thrilled to announce the open call for NextGen 2025. This year’s exhibition of work by newly-graduated art students will run from June 21 to August 31, 2025 at ICA / Central located in San Diego’s famous Balboa Park.
NextGen celebrates emerging artistic voices from the San Diego region in a juried exhibition of graduating artists from local arts programs. This annual exhibition highlights the innovative work being produced across San Diego County and Northern Baja California. Through NextGen, ICA San Diego provides the region’s emerging artists with both exhibition opportunities and professional development, while highlighting the strength of our creative community.
Seven graduating artists will be selected for exhibition by a panel of art professionals from within and outside of San Diego County.
- There is no application fee and the deadline is March 2, 2025.
- Successful applicants will be notified by March 28.
Application requirements:
NextGen 2025 is an opportunity to show what you have been working on most recently. All proposed projects must be completed or ready for presentation by June 1, 2025. All artworks or materials must be located in San Diego County at the time of transport.
In your application, please include:
- 150-word artist statement describing the proposed project for exhibition.
- CV or resume in pdf format.
- Up to 10 JPEG images of recent works with title, year, medium, and dimensions (2MB max per image). Video submissions must be under 1 minute in length (10MB max per video).
- Must be able to provide proof of graduation or prospective graduation for Fall 2024/Spring 2025/Summer 2025.
Eligibility:
Must have graduated in the Fall 2024 or be actively enrolled and on track to graduate in Spring or Summer 2025 from a San Diego County or Northern Baja California University or College with an M.F.A., B.F.A., B.A., or A.A. in Studio Practice or similar program, or Fine Art Certificate Program.
An online information session will be hosted on Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 10:00am.
APPLY HERE
ICA San Diego Overview
ICA San Diego is a living laboratory of art and ideas, working towards our mission to actively build an arts ecosystem across San Diego, southern California, and northern Baja California. Each year, ICA San Diego undertakes five exhibitions of contemporary art featuring a range of emerging to mid-career artists that challenge our understanding of art and the world around us. These solo and group exhibitions are joined by our annual NextGen show, supporting the artists graduating from our region’s higher learning institutions and providing them with professional development resources to grow their careers.
Our commitment to supporting local artists continues to expand with a redesigned residency program focusing on providing studio space, mentorship, and financial resources to support artists in achieving success at home in San Diego. These values inform all other ICA San Diego programming, including our C You Saturday! public events; classes and camps for all ages; and outreach programming into local schools.
