The Zimmerli Art Museum will host the FY27 New Jersey Arts Annual — Hank Willis Thomas Selects. This exhibition marks the Zimmerli's inaugural New Jersey Arts Annual. Artist Hank Willis Thomas will serve as the juror and guest curator.

The call welcomes artists at all stages of their careers, with particular interest in work that expands current conversations, and in makers who have not yet received sustained visibility. Rather than organizing the exhibition around a prescribed theme, this edition — Hank Willis Thomas Selects the NJ Arts Annual, will present work across generations and disciplines, catalyzing critical thought and creating space for mindful looking.

All artists over the age of 18 who either work or live in the state of New Jersey are eligible to apply. All mediums are eligible. There is no entry fee.

Questions?

Contact: Stephanie Nerbak | 609-292-4474 (NJ Relay 711)

About the FY27 New Jersey Arts Annual Juror Hank Willis Thomas



A central figure in Zimmerli's 2026 season is Hank Willis Thomas (b. 1976), a Plainfield, NJ native and celebrated conceptual artist whose practice engages questions of history, power, and collective memory. Thomas will serve as a juror and guest curator for the New Jersey Arts Annual, lending his expertise to ensure a dynamic selection of both emerging and established artists. His involvement connects a figure of national prominence to the local art scene, bridging the gap between New Jersey's homegrown talent and the broader contemporary art world.

About the New Jersey Arts Annual

The New Jersey Arts Annual is a unique series of exhibitions highlighting our state’s artists. In partnership with New Jersey's major museums, one exhibition takes place each year, alternating between host institutions. These exhibitions are open to any artist currently living or working in New Jersey. Since 1985, the Arts Annual series has been cosponsored by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a division of the New Jersey Department of State, and a partner agency of the National Endowment of the Arts.

About the Zimmerli Art Museum

Founded in 1966, the Zimmerli Art Museum (ZAM) is a prominent unit of Rutgers University and a premier cultural asset for the New Brunswick campus, functioning as a “teaching laboratory” for experiential learning and civic engagement. As one of the nation’s largest public university museums, it bridges a major research institution and its surrounding community, ensuring art remains an accessible catalyst for dialogue and wellness. 

Accessibility

The Arts Council is committed to ensuring its programs are accessible to all people.

For accessibility services related to filing this application, please contact Access Coordinator Lindsay Dandeo: lindsay.dandeo@sos.nj.gov | 609-984-7020 (NJ Relay 711)

The New Jersey State Council on the Arts, created in 1966, is a division of the NJ Department of State and a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. The Council was established to encourage and foster public interest in the arts; enlarge public and private resources devoted to the arts; promote freedom of expression in the arts; and facilitate the inclusion of art in every public building in New Jersey. The Council believes the arts are central to every element we value most in a modern society including: human understanding; cultural and civic pride; strong communities; excellent schools; lifelong learning; creative expression; and economic opportunity. To learn more about the Council, please visit www.artscouncil.nj.gov.

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