FLYING SOLO 2025-2026 Call for Artists
Entry Deadline: 8/8/2025
Media Images: 7
View Site Details: Map, Arts at the Airport exhibition spaces
Call for Entry Application Portal: https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=15798
Short Description
Arts at the Airport (AaA) announces the 2025/2026 Flying Solo Call for Artists at Nashville International Airport® (BNA®). We are excited to invite amazing new artists to this popular rotating exhibition series that will engage and enrich all passengers, guests, and employees of the Airport. NOTE ABOUT ELIGIBILITY: This opportunity is only open to Tennessee residents or artists who can demonstrate a strong connection to Tennessee either through prior residency or their artwork.
Long Description
Established in 1988, the Arts at the Airport Foundation is an ever-growing, ever-changing showcase of Tennessee’s cultural heritage and creative talents. The terminal and surrounding facilities at Nashville International Airport were designed to incorporate rotating public art exhibitions and permanent acquisitions for the enjoyment and enrichment of its passengers, visitors, and employees.
The Flying Solo Exhibition Series is supported by the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA). Each exhibit will be four months long. Artwork is expected to be framed and ready to display. The artist is responsible for delivering and picking up artwork from BNA. An honorarium is awarded to exhibiting artists ranging from $750 to $1,500. Arts related community groups as well as schools are eligible to apply in addition to individual artists.
FLYING SOLO
Part of the Arts at the Airport program, the Flying Solo Exhibition Series was developed in 1996. The 29-year-old series provides a highly visible venue for Tennessee artists, acts as an advocate for artists, and offers visitors a taste of the rich art and craft culture of our region.
EXHIBITION SPACES
There are several new exhibition spaces due to the recent BNA Vision construction/renovation projects at the Airport. There are six spaces that will accommodate two-dimensional artwork and one that will exhibit three-dimensional work. Please note on your application which you will be exhibiting. Refer to the exhibit site map.
Art Cases – Art cases are for artists working in three-dimensional media.
Concourse D – One case, 10 ft. wide x 7 ft. high x 21 inches deep
Located on Concourse D near Gate D2. It has a sliding glass door making it an excellent space for three-dimensional objects as well as two-dimensional artwork.
Art Exhibit Walls – Artists working in two-dimensional media including photography (artwork must be framed or able to be protected by plexiglass – profile less than four inches including frame and molding).
Concourse D – Two art walls, 10 ft. wide x 7 ft. high each (for one artist)
Located on Concourse D near Gates D3 and D4. The spaces are for two-dimensional artwork only.
A/B Waiting Area – Curved wall, 35 ft. wide x 12 ft. high, in waiting area, two-dimensional work only.
Level 1 Waiting Area – Four separate exhibit spaces, 30 ft. wide x 6 ft. high each
Located on the non-secure side of the terminal on Level 1 near the International Arrivals Waiting Area. Two-dimensional artwork only.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Selection criteria include the applicant’s professional qualifications, proven experience including a history and/or ability to undertake installations of a similar scope, and artistic merit as evidenced by submitted visual materials.
SELECTION COMMITTEE
The Selection Committee is comprised of members from the Arts at the Airport Board of Directors and the MNAA’s Community Affairs division.
Complete proposal submissions must include:
- Seven Digital Images – of representative work
- Brief Artist Statement about proposed exhibit (1000 character limit)
- Short Bio, one to two paragraphs
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae, not to exceed two pages
- Short Answer Questions
Please tell us about your connection to Tennessee. (i.e. “I am currently a Tennessee resident”, “I lived in Tennessee for 12 years while teaching at ____ College,” etc.)
Deadline
Deadline for proposals is Friday, August 8, 2025 at 12 Midnight, Mountain Standard Time / 1:00 a.m. Central Standard Time.
APPLICATION
Review Call and Apply here (must have an account with www.callforentry.org. It is free to register).
Legal
The MNAA/Arts at the Airport will not be liable in any way for any costs incurred by any artist in the preparation of their proposal in response to this Call and/or participation in any discussions regarding exhibition.
Artist hereby represents and warrants to AaA that s/he is the creator of the Artwork presented in this proposal; s/he is the sole and exclusive owner of all rights to proposed works; and the Artwork does not, in whole or in part, infringe any copyright, violate any right to privacy or other personal or property right whatsoever, or contain an libelous or scandalous matter or matter otherwise contrary to law.