Call to Artists Announced for Tampa Bay Area Exhibition ‘Skyway 2027: A Contemporary Collaboration’

Exhibition to be Held at Five Partnering Institutions: Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg; The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art; Sarasota Art Museum; Tampa Museum of Art; and USF Contemporary Art Museum

TAMPA, Fla., April 16, 2026 – Five regional art museums, the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg; The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota; Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design, Sarasota; the Tampa Museum of Art; and the University of South Florida Contemporary Art Museum, Tampa, are pleased to announce a call to artists for Skyway 2027: A Contemporary Collaboration, the fourth iteration of the exhibition celebrating the diversity and talent of artistic practices in the Tampa Bay area and beyond. This is an open call to artists and art collectives residing in Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota counties to submit application materials for the exhibition, which will be presented across the five participating art institutions during the spring, summer, and fall of 2027. The five art institutions will co-publish a fully illustrated catalogue, featuring the work of each exhibiting artist, to accompany the exhibition

The call to artists submission period begins on April 16, 2026, with a deadline of July 1, 2026. Artists working across diverse media, disciplines, and approaches are encouraged to apply, including those engaged in socially engaged, participatory, research-based, and community-centered practices. Submissions may include existing works or proposals for new projects. They may take many forms, including—but not limited to—work on paper, painting, sculpture, photography, video, performance, sound, research-based art, and site-responsive installations. Proposals for social practice and community-based art initiatives should include a detailed work plan that identifies the community or group the artist intends to engage, along with a description of the proposed activities and an anticipated timeline. These materials will support curatorial review and help ensure appropriate care, resources, and collaboration throughout the project.

Artworks and projects in the exhibition will be selected by Skyway 2027 curatorial team from the five participating art institutions, including Lacie Barbour, Associate Curator of Exhibitions, Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design; Noah Cox, Assistant Curator, Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg; Christopher Jones, the Stanton B. and Nancy W. Kaplan Curator of Photography and Media Art, The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art; Joanna Robotham, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, Tampa Museum of Art; Christian Viveros-Fauné, Curator-at-Large, USF Contemporary Art Museum; and Ola Wlusek, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art.

Additional information and submission guidelines can be found at skywaytampabay.com

About The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art

The Ringling is Florida’s center for the arts, history, and learning, bringing the past and contemporary culture to life through extraordinary visitor experiences. As the State Art Museum of Florida and part of Florida State University, The Ringling is a place of exploration, discovery, and respite. The Ringling’s campus in Sarasota, Florida – which includes the Museum of Art, the Circus Museum, a historic mansion, an 18th century theater and Bayfront Gardens – is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

Museum Hours + Admissions
THE RINGLING Hours: Open Daily 10am-5pm
Please visit ringling.org or call (941) 539-5700 for more information on admission, current and future exhibitions and programming. The Ringling is located at 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243

About The Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg

The Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg (MFA) has an encyclopedic collection of art from around the globe and across the centuries, with almost 5,000 years of civilization represented in thousands of objects extending from antiquity to the present. The collection includes works by Georgia O’Keeffe, Claude Monet, Berthe Morisot, Auguste Rodin, Kehinde Wiley, Jacob Lawrence, and many others, as well as ancient Greek and Roman, Asian, African, Art of the Americas, and Native American art. The museum’s photographic collection is one of the largest and most well-respected in the Southeast. The museum’s rotating exhibition galleries feature a diverse selection of temporary exhibitions from all over the world, as well as exhibitions curated from the museum’s extensive collection. In addition to its robust exhibition program, the MFA engages the community through exciting public programs and events and serves students through youth programs and a partnership with the Pinellas County School System.

Museum Hours + Admissions
MFA Hours: Tue-Sun 10am-5pm, *Select Thursdays: Art After Dark from 5pm-8pm
To learn more about MFA pricing, current exhibitions and related museum programs, please visit mfastpete.org or call (727) 896-2667 for more information. Senior, military, educator, student and youth admission discounts available. The MFA is located at 255 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.

About Sarasota Art Museum

Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design (SAM) is the city’s only Museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Founded in 2019, SAM features an ever-rotating lineup of world-class exhibitions, dynamic programs, and enriching educational offerings, and serves as a creative gathering place for curious minds from across the Gulf Coast, Southeast United States, and beyond. Housed in the historic former Sarasota High School, the Museum has revitalized and reimagined the towering landmark and architectural treasure, connecting Sarasota’s past with its present. Today, SAM is home to 15,000 square feet of gallery exhibition space, where nationally touring shows, as well as curated and commissioned exhibits by both renowned and emerging artists, deepen visitors’ appreciation for 20th and 21st century art. More at SarasotaArtMuseum.org.

Museum Hours + Admissions
SARASOTA ART MUSEUM HOURS: Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 11am-5pm
Please visit SarasotaArtMuseum.org or call (941) 309-4300 for more information on admission, current and future exhibitions and programming. Sarasota Art Museum is located at 1001 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236.

About Tampa Museum of Art

The Tampa Museum of Art, founded in 1920, inspires visitors with its engaging exhibitions and innovative educational programs focusing on ancient, modern, and contemporary art. The Museum boasts one of the most significant collections of Greek and Roman antiquities in the southeastern United States. The permanent collection also showcases diverse artworks, including sculpture, photography, painting, and new media. In addition to yearround studio art classes, lectures, and tours, the Museum offers art-therapy-informed programs through community partnerships for vulnerable populations. Situated in the heart of downtown Tampa, the Museum is committed to celebrating the city’s diversity. Building on the successful 2023 renovation of the existing facility, the Museum is preparing for a transformational expansion that will more than double the building’s size. This growth will ensure the Tampa Museum of Art can inspire and engage future generations through expanded galleries, stateof-the-art learning spaces, and immersive artistic experiences.

Museum Hours + Admissions
TMA Hours: Mon–Sun 10 am–5 pm, Thurs 10 am–8 pm
For tickets and information, visit TampaMuseum.org or call (813) 274-8130. Located at 120 W. Gasparilla Plaza. Tampa, FL 33602, the Tampa Museum of Art is open seven days a week.

About USF Contemporary Art Museum

USF Contemporary Art Museum (CAM), part of the College of Design, Art & Performance at the University of South Florida, organizes and presents significant and investigative exhibitions of contemporary art from Florida, the United States and around the world. Serving as a teaching laboratory, USFCAM’s curatorial and socially engaged initiatives and educational programs are designed to present the students, faculty, and community with current issues of contemporary art practice, and to explore the role of the arts in society. USFCAM publishes relevant catalogues, presents critically recognized traveling exhibitions and commissions new projects by national and international artists. USFCAM maintains the university’s art collection, comprising more than 5000 contemporary art works.

Museum Hours + Admissions
USFCAM Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Thurs 10am-8pm, Sat 1-4pm
Admission to the Museum is free; however, a USF parking permit ($5.00 daily) or pay-per-space parking is required. Please visit cam.usf.edu or call (813) 974-4133 for parking, directions, or more information on events associated with the exhibitions. Groups and organizations interested in tours should contact USFCAM to schedule at least two weeks in advance.