The Active Power of Touch, Hosted at The Peale, Baltimore’s Community Museum | April 2026
The Peale Museum invites artists from the greater Baltimore region to apply for inclusion in The Active Power of Touch, a unique exhibition focused on tactile artworks. This groundbreaking show will foreground the richness of touch in artistic experience—whether through sculpture, raised-line compositions, or mixed media inviting hands-on exploration.
Who Should Apply We welcome submissions of existing tactile artworks as well as proposals for new works. Artists must have strong ties to the greater Baltimore region, defined as Baltimore City and the counties of Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Carroll, Harford, and Howard.
Application Requirements
- Artist Resume
- One-page written description of the work (existing or proposed), including: Medium(s) used, Approximate dimensions, Whether it is 2.5D or 3D
- Images of the work (for existing pieces) or drawings/renderings (for proposed work)
Curatorial Insight
Curated by Dr. Cheryl Fogle-Hatch, a nationally respected accessibility consultant and blind scholar, The Active Power of Touch will elevate sensory engagement as a central element of artmaking and art-viewing.
Through hands-on interactions, visitors will experience how materials communicate—viscerally and intellectually—via the skin. The exhibition seeks work that emphasizes:
- Material identity (wood, ceramic, metal, etc.)
- Texture (rough, smooth, patterned, etc.)
- Temperature or thermal qualities
- Shape, volume, and dimensionality
- Composition details accessible to tactile perception
Guidelines for Submitted/Proposed Works
- Size Art should be reasonably scaled for one person to explore with their hands. Avoid very large or towering works.
- Weight less than 50 pounds per piece.
- Durability Works must endure repeated touch without damage and be mountable on pedestals or walls.
- Safety Art must be free of sharp or jagged edges. All materials should be safe to handle and non-toxic.
Selection Process Applications will be reviewed by the curator, who will also meet in person with each artist prior to selection. If the artist submits an existing work, the curator will review it at the in-person meeting. For proposed works, artists may be asked to share similar past works or material samples for tactile review.
Artist Stipend Artists selected for exhibition will receive a stipend of $250–$500 per accepted work. The amount of each stipend will be determined by the curator after meeting with the artist.
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: July 31, 2025
- Notification of Selected Artists: October 1, 2025
- Art Drop-off and Pick-up Windows: To be scheduled following artist selection
How to Apply: Complete this online application form to submit your work.
For questions, please contact Cheryl Fogle-Hatch by email at info@museumsenses.org