DEADLINE EXTENDED! 

2025 LAB THEME: DIGITAL DAYDREAMS 

EXPLORING CONTEMPORARY ART PRACTICES AT THE INTERSECTION OF ART AND TECHNOLOGY - no technical experience required
 

2025 Locust Art Builders (LAB): Summer Art Intensive for Teens.  

Takes place daily Monday - Thursday June 16 - July 17, 2025 at Locust Projects (note Thursday June 19th is a holiday, no LAB that day).  

Students must attend 19 days total which includes the Saturday July 19 opening reception and certificate ceremony. Only one absence allowed. Friday, July 18 is an absence make up day. 

LAB 2025 SUMMER ART INTENSIVE: June 16 - July 17, 2025 | Mondays – Thursdays | 10am - 3pm 

OPENING RECEPTION FOR FRIENDS & FAMILY: Saturday, July 19 | 6-8pm 

About Locust Art Builders (LAB): Now in its 15th year in 2025, LAB is a unique summer art intensive for high school students with an interest in art, design, and exploring creative careers. In spring 2025 an open call will invite up to 30 students from across Miami-Dade County to learn from professional artists in a dynamic program over five weeks next summer. Selected students will dive right into the creative, and practical, aspects of completing a collaborative full-scale exhibition at Locust Projects!

Running concurrently with Tomas Vu’s intermedia installation, Blackstar 16/25/60, this year’s LAB draws inspiration from legendary musician David Bowie’s legacy of reinvention, experimentation, and boundary-pushing artistry. In Digital Daydreams, students will use digital tools to explore memory, machine-generated imagery, and immersive media. 

Just as Bowie fused disciplines, LAB participants will integrate collage, sound design, video projections, and 3D printing to craft a collective dreamscape. 

Guided by mentor professional teaching artists in experimenting with glitch aesthetics, generative AI, and surrealist techniques, students will build a fully immersive exhibition—one that challenges creative boundaries between simulation and inspires artistic transformation.

LAB is FREE for all students. 

- Students will be provided with free lunch daily.

- All supplies and access to equipment and tools provided. 

- Transportation stipends are available up to $500 with receipts to assist with travel to and from Locust Projects.

- Students will receive a Builder Bag with art supplies and more as well as an artist edition shirt.

- Students may be able to receive community service hours for their participation; please ask your school for details. 

Want to learn more about what makes LAB so special?  See this video created by past LAB students!

What's on the application?

• WHY IS LAB FOR YOU? Express your interest in LAB via text or video.  We'd love to know what you want to learn this summer and why you are a good fit for this opportunity!
• SHOW US YOUR CREATIVE SIDE: Share up to 8 recently completed art works, designs, or projects.  You can upload photos of your work or show us your work in a short video!
• IMAGE CAPTION SHEET: Please include a PDF or word doc with the title, media, date, and a brief description of each art work.  
• OPTIONAL: Letter of recommendation from a teacher, mentor, or advisor. 

 FAQs

Who is eligible?  Students currently enrolled in public or private high schools in Miami-Dade County.  Students must have completed at least one year of high school by June 2025.  Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th graders as well as graduating 12th graders are all eligible to apply.

Who is not eligible?  Students who are in middle school, entering ninth grade in the fall, or who graduated in 2024 or prior. Students living outside of Miami-Dade County are not eligible.

Can I apply if I am not sure I want to go to art school? Of course!  LAB is the perfect place to explore your interest in art or design, learn how to make things using new skills and tools, and learn all about careers in the arts. Whether or not you go to art school, LAB can help you gain confidence and learn how to problem solve creatively.

Can I work on my personal projects as part of LAB? While some activities will involve working independently, working collaboratively with other young artists is a crucial part of LAB. Most projects, and the final exhibition, are produced as a team. Personal art practices often feed into this final result, but it is important that applicants understand that they will also be required to work closely with other young artists during LAB. If you are not open to working collaboratively as part of a team, this program might not be the right fit for you. 

Can I take days off from LAB? Students must attend a minimum of 19 days - if you have a pre-college program or vacation planned or other commitment, please do not apply to LAB.

Can PDFs include links?  Yes, they may include links to websites, video hosting services like YouTube or Vimeo, as well as links to galleries, previous exhibitions, and/or past reviews, if applicable.

Can I submit my application without using the online submission system Submittable?  Unfortunately, no.  All submissions must be submitted through Submittable.  Submittable accounts are free.  If you need assistance completing your application, please let us know by reaching out to digital@locustprojects.org.  We're happy to help! One of your teachers might also be able to help!

Who can I speak to if I have more questions?  For more info, please contact: digital@locustprojects.org or 305.576.8570. We strive to make LAB accessible to all students interested - If you need support to participate in LAB, please let us know.

LocustArt Builders 2024-2025 was made possible through lead support from the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor Board and County Commissioners, The Children’s Trust. Additional support provided by Susan and Richard Arregui, Diane and Werner Grob, The Kirk Foundation, Miami Salon Group, and the INCUBATORS Friends of the Next Generation.

The PROJECT ROOM 2026-2027 Open Call is open for submissions from June 2- July 28, 2025

Locust Projects invites local, national, and international artists to apply for the opportunity to access the space and resources to experiment and create ambitious, large-scale new work in our 625sq ft PROJECT ROOM. Proposals are reviewed by a rotating jury comprised of local, national and international artists that have previously exhibited at Locust Projects and one local curator. Locust Projects provides selected artists with curatorial guidance, production budget, artist WAGE fee, documentation, and an opportunity to stay in the Locust Projects residence or other accommodations.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

Locust Projects is committed to supporting the creation and presentation of ambitious new work. Existing work is not accepted for Open Calls. Proposals for new, installation-based work that has never been presented before should specifically be designed for our Project Room. We present visual artists working in any medium and any stage in their career as long as the work they propose for Locust Projects demonstrably pushes their practice in new directions as part of our mission to invite risk-taking and experimentation. Collectives and artist collaborations are encouraged to apply as long as the work is presented as a singular vision. Artists addressing social justice issues including race, identity, gender parity, basic needs, climate change, environmental advocacy, and more, through their projects are encouraged. Final projects are realized with support from a collaborative environment and supportive Locust Projects staff.

PROJECT ROOM OPEN CALL OPPORTUNITY

• Solo exhibition of ambitious and new, installation-based work created specifically for Locust Projects Project Room (approx. 625 square feet) *see pdf with floorplan and images
• Community engagement with the public through public programs or activations (i.e. conversation, collaboration, performance)

PROJECT ROOM PROJECT SUPPORT

• $5000 Project Budget (may include but is not limited to: production/fabrication, equipment rental, materials, professional/technical support, installation/construction labor, assistants, shipping, de-installation) Final budget determined based upon dates, proposal scope and scale of project, feasibility.
• $3100 Artist Fee plus $50 per diem stipend for out-of-town artists up to 14 days and stipend toward coach class roundtrip flights and ground transport available to artists that live 150 miles away from Miami. (above and beyond travel expenses shall be applied to production budget). Artists may use the Artist Fee at their discretion.
• Accommodation available in a 2 bedroom residence house.
• Basic infrastructure provided by Locust Projects includes access to use existing tool and av equipment inventory, up to 24 hours preparator labor/assistance for install/de-install, signage, installation documentation, and promotional support.

THE SELECTION PROCESS

Proposals are reviewed by a rotating jury of artists that have previously exhibited at Locust Projects and one local curator. The following criteria will be used during the review process using a 3 point scale for each:

• Conceptual strength of the proposal, ambitious ideas, scale and/or use of space
• Strength of past work
• Unique or innovative approach to transforming or activating LP's space and extension of the artist's practice
• Feasibility of proposed project and related programs within budget and logistical concerns, ADA access
• Compelling approach to contemporary artistic practice, societal concerns, and/or community impact

Please keep in mind, we are a non-traditional alternative art space. If the project could easily be presented in a traditional or commercial gallery setting or could be realized without the support of our organization, it is unlikely for us to consider your proposal. We do not show existing work, host traveling exhibitions, retrospectives, or group shows. We are not a commercial gallery, we do not offer artist representation.

Locust Projects is proud to be W.A.G.E. Certified (Working Artists in the Greater Economy), ensuring that we have and we will continue to compensate artists fairly, at, or above, minimum W.A.G.E. fees For more information on W.A.G.E. certification, click here.
 

OPEN CALL: PROJECT ROOM GALLERY: The PROJECT ROOM 2024-2026 Open Call is open for submissions from June 2 - July 28, 2025. To submit please send your proposal through Submittable. 

Late submissions will not be accepted. (Please allow  time for possible technical difficulties by submitting well before the deadline.)

Please direct questions to submissions@locustprojects.org

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
 

1. Project description (max. 250 words) 
2. Draft floorplan/rendering of proposed project - see attached PDF for floor plan and images
3. General artist statement (max. 150 words)
4. Production Budget - (provide an overview of approximate expenses for any that apply (see description of Production Budget* below)
5. Project Impact (Explain how your project embraces experimentation and risk-taking in your artistic practice. Max 350 words)
6. CV or Resume (no more than 2 pages)
7. Up to five images of previous/related work or three links to time based works
8. Image details (title, date, year medium of the submitted work and/or links)

*Production Costs may include (but are not limited to): production/fabrication, equipment rental, materials, specialized lighting, professional/technical support, public programs and activations and related participant fees based upon W.A.G.E. fee calculations at $310 per person, additional artist or assistant travel above and beyond that covered by Locust Projects, installation/construction labor above and beyond basic infrastructure of 24 hours labor provided, assistant fees, shipping, disposal, and any other costs required to realize and de-install the Project beyond basic infrastructure costs (signage, documentation, preparator time for install 24 hours) and artist fees and travel expenses provided by Locust Projects.

Opportunity: Summer Teaching Artist Studio Residency for Miami Teaching Artists
  Application Deadline : June 24 - 11:59pm
  Eligibility: Miami-based High School and BFA/MFA Teaching Artists
Studio opportunity dates: July 1 - Oct 1, 2025

  Opportunity Description:
 Every summer since 2010, we have turned our space over to the next generation of creatives from teens to current MFA candidates to have the opportunity to work in a nationally recognized alternative art space and create new work.
  With our recent move to a larger space in Little Haiti aka Little River we are excited to be able to also offer Miami Teaching Artists - at the high school or BFA/MFA level - the time, space and opportunity to recharge and refocus on their creative practice in a studio residency at Locust Projects this summer. 

  Announcing our third Summer Studio Residency Opportunity for Miami Teaching Artists in 2025 - we are offering teachers at the high school or BFA/MFA level - the time, space and opportunity to recharge and refocus on their creative practice in a studio residency at Locust Projects this summer.

STUDIO AVAILABILITY DATES: Starting July 1 and ending October 1, 2025

We know how much teachers dedicate to educating the Next Generation of artists, we want to give them the opportunity to invest in their creative careers. We’re offering 2 visual art educators who are practicing artists Monday - Sunday | 24/7 access to studio/work space starting June 10 and ending August 10, 2024. Given upcoming residencies with exhibiting artists we are unable to extend past this date.

Please note we do not have enclosed, private studios, and are unable to support “wet” studio needs, such as ceramics. 

Up to 30 LAB teens will be on site 10am-3pm daily Monday through Thursday through July 19 building their collaborative show in our Project Room, Tomas Vu closes in Main Gallery July 19 with construction installation taking place Aug 1-16 for the next Main Gallery and Project Room shows - so make sure this shared-space experience is a fit for you! We will conduct in-person interviews and walk-thrus of the final round of candidates in advance of selection.

Selected artists will have access to available av equipment and carpentry spaces and limited large scale staging opportunities to experiment and push your practice.

This is a free residency with no exhibiting requirements or stipends. We’ve the space, you might have the time, so let’s help you make art happen.

  Applications should reflect an interest in expansion of artistic practice in conceptual scope, scale, or media. Priority will be given to those that demonstrate a need to work in large scale for future exhibitions/commissions, processes, or developing new concepts, particularly those that could not be presented in a traditional gallery setting.  

  Again, the studio residency will occur in conjunction with the summer cohort of Locust Art Builders, an art intensive for up to 30 Miami-based teens. Tomas Vu's exhibition will be on view in the Main Gallery until July 19. Installation of william cordova's Main Gallery show is Aug 1 - 16. Residencies will not be extended after Oct 1.

  APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS. Please provide the following information in Submittable.
 

1. Artist resume or CV. Please include artist contact information.
2. Proposed Studio Use/Need/Desired Outcome (250 word max.) 
3. Brief Artist Statement - (max. 150 words); can also be a 1 min video submission 
4. Images: 4 images of recent/ related work with captions accompanying all images. Up to 3 Video links can be submitted for video based works. 5 minutes maximum will be reviewed.

 Please send questions to tom@locustprojects.org.