National Law Enforcement Museum Announces Call for Art Submissions

Exclusive exhibition to showcase art created by law enforcement officers

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund Published March 25, 2024 @ 3:00 pm PDT

The National Law Enforcement Museum, operated by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), on March 21 announced a call for submissions for an exclusive exhibition that celebrates the creative expression and transformative power of art by law enforcement officers, “Officers as Artists: The Creative Expression of Those Who Serve.” This unique platform offers officers the opportunity to showcase their creativity and delve into the integral role art plays in their lives, both as individuals and professionals. Eligibility criteria specify that entry is open to all active and retired law enforcement officers and submissions must authentically reflect the work intended for exhibition, with all artworks being original.

The application submission deadline is Sunday, June 30, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Artists can submit their entries through the online platform here, and submission digital image files should not exceed 4MB each, with artists granting NLEOMF the right to use the images for promotional materials upon application submission.

“As we embark on this unique exhibition celebrating the artistic talents of law enforcement officers, we recognize the profound impact of art in unveiling the individual stories and experiences of these dedicated professionals,” Museum Executive Director Thomas Canavan said. “We invite law enforcement officers from across the country to share their unique artistic voices in this special exhibition, showcasing the diverse talents within their community.”

Artists will receive acceptance notifications by Friday, August 2. Accepted works must be delivered to the National Law Enforcement Museum on Saturday, September 7. A public reception is scheduled for Saturday, September 28, during NLEOMF’s Police Weekend, while the exhibition itself launches on September 26 and runs through August 30, 2025.

Submission conditions dictate that artists may submit in either the Two-Dimensional or Three-Dimensional Artwork category. Visitors are permitted to take personal photographs of the exhibition. Artworks must be ready for display, and the NLEOMF staff retains the right to exclude items not adequately prepared.

The selection process involves a panel reviewing entries based on quality, craftsmanship and professionalism. The NLEOMF reserves the right to exclude items not adhering to guidelines. Accepted artists will be notified by Friday, August 2. Artworks must be delivered to the National Law Enforcement Museum between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 7. Late entries will not be accepted, and all artworks must be labeled with the artist’s name and piece title.

The placement of artwork is subject to the discretion of the NLEOMF staff, and all exhibited works must remain on display for the show’s duration. For inquiries and submissions, Lauren Sydney can be reached at lsydney@nleomf.org.

—www.NLEOMF.org—

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund

Established in 1984, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring the fallen, telling the story of American law enforcement, and making it safer for those who serve. The first pillar of this mission, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., honors the names of all of the 23,785 officers who have died in the line of duty to date throughout U.S. history. Additionally, NLEOMF maintains and publishes comprehensive details on the circumstances surrounding official line-of-duty deaths. The Officer Safety and Wellness pillar uses that data, coupled with best-practice program models, to produce programming directed at solutions to improve survivability and enhance wellness. NLEOMF’s third pillar, the National Law Enforcement Museum (LawEnforcementMuseum.org) is committed to preserving the history of American law enforcement and sharing the experiences of service and sacrifice for generations to come.

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