ISVC Website: https://cicamuseum.com/isvc
Exhibition: “Visual Culture 2026”
September 9–27, 2026
CICA Museum, Korea
International Symposium for Visual Culture (ISVC) 2026
September 19–20, 2026
The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation Arts Center
Visual and Performing Arts Department
Montgomery College
Visual Culture 2026 Popup Show
September 19–20, 2026
Maze Gallery
The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation Arts Center
Visual and Performing Arts Department
Montgomery College
We invite artists, scholars, and researchers from around the world to participate in the International Symposium for Visual Culture & Exhibition 2026.
The symposium brings together a global community of artists, researchers, and academics in vibrant downtown Silver Spring, adjacent to Washington, DC, USA. The symposium and popup show will be hosted by Montgomery College, while the international exhibition will take place at the CICA Museum in Korea. These events are organized in collaboration with the CICA Museum and the Visual and Performing Arts Department of Montgomery College, Takoma Park/Silver Spring.
ISVC serves as an international platform for diverse and critical perspectives on visual culture. Through this program, we aim to build a global network of researchers, artists, and creators and audiences of visual culture, fostering critical discourse and a deeper understanding of visual culture worldwide.
Participating artists and researchers will be featured in the publication New Media Art 2027, to be released in full-color paperback in December 2026 by CICA Press. Contributions may include English texts (e.g., interviews, essays, poetry), drawings, and images introducing the artist’s work.
* Categories & Keywords:
Art and Capitalism
Art, Technology, and Culture
New Media Art
Mass Culture
Postmodernism
Globalism
Critical Studies
Nationalism and Visual Culture
Race and Identity in Art & Culture
Feminist Studies on Visual Culture
Art & Culture in a Global Pandemic
Digital Culture and Social Media
Digital Humanism
Artificial Intelligence and Humanism
Algorithmic Bias & Visual Culture
Data Aesthetics
Post-Human & Ecological Perspectives
Post-humanism
Environmental Issues and Culture
Bio Art & Post-Nature Culture
Global Mobility & Diaspora Visualities
Archival Art
Digital Nomad
Immersive Media & Presence
[Symposium] International Symposium for Visual Culture (ISVC) 2026
The symposium will be held at the Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation Arts Center, Montgomery College, Silver Spring, on September 19–20, 2026.
Each accepted presenter will have the opportunity to discuss their work with peers. All presenters must register upon acceptance and deliver a presentation or performance during their assigned session.
We welcome proposals for paper presentations, workshops, experimental sessions, and artistic performances.
Each presenter (or presenting team) will receive three complimentary general admission tickets to ISVC 2026 to invite guests. Additional tickets will be available for purchase on the ISVC website.
The symposium will be held onsite, and presenters are required to attend in person and present onsite. Online presentations are permitted only for presenters who have previously applied for online sessions; applications for online sessions are now closed.
* Montgomery College students will receive a free guest pass to the symposium, while faculty and staff are eligible for a 51% discount on registration as presenters or guests. For more information, please contact us.
[Exhibition] “Visual Culture 2026” at the CICA Museum
The international exhibition “Visual Culture 2026” will be held at the CICA Museum from September 9 to 27, 2026. Each artist may exhibit up to two works. Participation is optional.
* Installation Guidelines
– Photographs & 2D Digital Art
Selected works will be printed in 10×15 or 10×10 inches, framed, and installed by museum curators and assistants. Larger sizes may be available upon request; additional fees may apply.
– Video & Interactive Art
The museum will provide projectors and DVD/DIVX players. Multiple single-channel works may be screened on a shared projector. If your work requires exclusive screening or more than two projectors/monitors, please indicate this in your submission email. Additional fees may apply.
– Physical Works & Installation Art
Artists are responsible for shipping and delivery costs to and from the CICA Museum. Two-dimensional works must not exceed 39 inches (1 m) on the longest side. Installation works must not exceed 39×39×79 inches (1×1×2 m, W×L×H). Wall-mounted works must not exceed 10 kg. Our curators and staff will install framed works, paintings, and sculptures. Additional fees may apply if the artist requests our team to install installation art or works that require specific installation instructions. Please let us know if you are interested in exhibiting works that exceed the size/weight limits or if you would like to request the installation of installation art.
[Exhibition] Visual Culture 2026 Popup Show at Maze Gallery
Presenters may bring one work for the popup show at Montgomery College, open during the symposium (September 19–20, 2026). Participation is optional.
Artists are responsible for delivering, installing, and removing their artworks. Size and weight limitations are the same as above.
The college may provide monitors for video works; however, availability may be limited. We will coordinate with artists regarding space and equipment after final selection.
Timeline
May 8, 2026 — Submission Deadline
May 15 – 22, 2026 — Presenter Registration
September 9 – 27, 2026 — Exhibition at CICA Museum
September 18, 2026 — Installation Day (Popup Show), Cafritz Foundation Arts Center
September 19–20, 2026 — Symposium at Cafritz Foundation Arts Center
September 20, 2026 — ISVC Party 4-7 at Cafritz Foundation Arts Center
September 20, 2026, 7–8 PM (tentative) — Dismantling, Cafritz Foundation Arts Center
December 15, 2026 — Publication Release
***All dates are subject to change.
*How to submit: Please visit our website for more information.
https://cicamuseum.com/open-call-isvc-2026/
We look forward to the participation of creative artists.
If you have any questions, please visit our “Contact Us” page (http://cicamuseum.com/contact) and leave a message.