Detroit Institute of Arts announces call for submissions for 13th Annual Ofrendas: Celebrating el Día de Muertos exhibition; Proposals accepted through June 15
Updated May 14, 2025
Detroit, MI – The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), in partnership with the Consulate of Mexico in Detroit, the Southwest Detroit Business Association, and the Mexicantown Community Development Corporation (CDC), is pleased to announce a call for submissions for the 13th Annual Ofrendas: Celebrating el Día de Muertos. This annual exhibition, designed to familiarize visitors with ofrendas and the Mexican tradition of the Day of the Dead, invites artists and community members to highlight the various ways in which people remember and pay tribute to their departed loved ones.
Those interested in participating in this year’s exhibition are encouraged to submit a proposed design for an ofrenda altar. Proposals should demonstrate clear artistic intent, creative merit, and alignment with the values and characteristics of the Día de Muertos tradition.
"Each year, Ofrendas: Celebrating el Dia de Muertos provides a meaningful space for storytelling, remembrance and artistic expression, " said Julie McFarland, Executive Director of Public Affairs & Community Engagement. “The ofrendas in the exhibition are an expression of individual creativity and a celebration of cultural identity, personal histories, and shared community traditions.”
Submission Details
Artists and community members can enter their proposals via the submission form by June 15, 2025. The application includes detailed guidelines and is available in both English and Spanish. Proposals will be reviewed by a committee of local community members and DIA staff. Selected Ofrenda artists will be notified by July.
Important Dates:
- June 15: Submission deadline.
- July: Ofrenda selections are made and artists are notified
- Week of September 15: Installation of ofrendas at the DIA.
- September 27: Opening of the exhibition.
- November 2: Closing of the exhibition with an artist talk and reception.
Each selected artist or group will receive a $500 stipend to support their participation.
For more information and to learn more about Ofrendas and how to participate, please visit https://dia.org/events/exhibitions/13th-annual-ofrendas
General admission is always free for museum members and residents of Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties.
Detroit, MI – The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), in partnership with the Consulate of Mexico in Detroit, the Southwest Detroit Business Association, and the Mexicantown Community Development Corporation (CDC), is pleased to announce a call for submissions for the 13th Annual Ofrendas: Celebrating el Día de Muertos. This annual exhibition, designed to familiarize visitors with ofrendas and the Mexican tradition of the Day of the Dead, invites artists and community members to highlight the various ways in which people remember and pay tribute to their departed loved ones.
Those interested in participating in this year’s exhibition are encouraged to submit a proposed design for an ofrenda altar. Proposals should demonstrate clear artistic intent, creative merit, and alignment with the values and characteristics of the Día de Muertos tradition.
"Each year, Ofrendas: Celebrating el Dia de Muertos provides a meaningful space for storytelling, remembrance and artistic expression, " said Julie McFarland, Executive Director of Public Affairs & Community Engagement. “The ofrendas in the exhibition are an expression of individual creativity and a celebration of cultural identity, personal histories, and shared community traditions.”
Submission Details
Artists and community members can enter their proposals via the submission form by June 15, 2025. The application includes detailed guidelines and is available in both English and Spanish. Proposals will be reviewed by a committee of local community members and DIA staff. Selected Ofrenda artists will be notified by July.
Important Dates:
- June 15: Submission deadline.
- July: Ofrenda selections are made and artists are notified
- Week of September 15: Installation of ofrendas at the DIA.
- September 27: Opening of the exhibition.
- November 2: Closing of the exhibition with an artist talk and reception.
Each selected artist or group will receive a $500 stipend to support their participation.
For more information and to learn more about Ofrendas and how to participate, please visit https://dia.org/events/exhibitions/13th-annual-ofrendas
General admission is always free for museum members and residents of Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties.