Background
WNDR Museum is seeking local artists or artist teams to exhibit a temporary, immersive installation for WNDR Chicago and WNDR Boston, as part of WNDR’s ongoing Artist Showcase Program. This program invites artists to install hands-on experiences that celebrate exploration, curiosity, and creative discovery while engaging thousands of visitors in a high-traffic, interactive environment.
We encourage proposals that prioritize audience participation, sensory engagement, and adaptability, aligning with WNDR Museum’s mission to inspire curiosity, creativity, and wonder. Installations should thoughtfully integrate with WNDR’s brand and visitor journey while offering a platform to elevate and support a local artist in each city. Prior museum experience is not required; however, work must be experiential, durable, and designed for sustained public interaction.
Selected artists will be featured in a six-month showcase at WNDR Chicago or WNDR Boston. This opportunity is intended as a temporary exhibition and visibility platform, not a commission or purchase of artwork. Artists retain ownership of their work while gaining the opportunity to be part of WNDR’s rotating artist program, reaching a broad and diverse audience through an immersive, curiosity-driven experience.
Commission Amount
Each selected artist or artist team will receive $12,000 commission per installation.
The commission is intended to cover:
- Artist fees
- Design and fabrication costs
- Materials and supplies
Space Details
Please find the general dimensions for the installation spaces below. Specific dimensions, power access, and any other installation details available upon request. Installations must be suitable for an indoor, public-facing museum environment and meet safety, ADA, and durability standards.
Chicago: Approximately 21’11” x 20’6” x 11’8”
Boston: Approximately 21’4” x 10’5” x 8’6”
Support Provided by WNDR Museum
WNDR Museum will provide:
- Coordination support with museum operations and production teams
- Marketing and social media amplification of the selected artists and installations
- On-site assistance during installation and de-installation, as needed
-
Launch event offering additional promotion for the artist’s installation, including complimentary tickets
Artists will be responsible for on site installation and deinstallation of work within the following timeframes.
Artists will be expected to collaborate closely with the WNDR team to ensure alignment with brand, timeline, and visitor experience goals.Timeline & Duration
- Artist Call Opens: February 2, 2026
- Artist Call Closes: March 2, 2026
- Artist Call Selection Announced: March 30, 2026
- Installation Begins: April 28th, 2026
- Installation Opens to the Public: mid to late May, 2026
- Launch Event: TBD
- De-installation: 6 months from launch
*Dates are subject to minor adjustment; selected artists will be notified promptly of any changes.
Eligibility
- Open to individual artists and artist teams.
- Artists based in or with strong ties to the Chicago or Boston area are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Artists must be able to travel to the Chicago or Boston museum on a regular basis.
- Artists working in all media are welcome, including but not limited to: digital media-based work, immersive environments, sculpture, light, sound, and interactive installations.
WNDR Museum is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for artists and strongly encourages submissions from artists of all backgrounds.
Social Media Participation
Selected artists agree to participate in promotional activities related to the exhibition. This may include behind-the-scenes footage captured by WNDR Museum, interviews, and documentation of the installation process. WNDR Museum may share this content across its social media platforms, website, and other marketing materials to promote the artist, exhibit, and the museum.
Submission Requirements
Please submit all proposals using the link below by March 2, 2026.
In one PDF file, submissions should include:
- Product description outlining the proposed installation and visitor experience
- Preliminary project budget (high-level)
- Proposed timeline from development through installation
- Visuals or renderings clearly demonstrating proposed installation
- Examples of previous work (links, images, or PDFs)
- Artist bio or brief professional history
Questions
If you have questions, please submit them using the link below. Questions must be submitted no later than February 20, 2026.
