8th Edition of the Border Biennial to Explore ‘Imagining the Border’
Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico – March 16, 2026 – The Secretariat of Culture of the Government of Mexico and the National Institute of Fine Arts and Literature (INBAL), through the Museo de Arte de Ciudad Juárez (MACJ), in collaboration with the El Paso Museum of Art (EPMA), have officially announced the call for entries for the eighth edition of the Border Biennial.
This initiative continues to support artists whose practices contribute to a broader understanding of the border as a space for cultural construction, memory, encounter, and contemporary reflection. The central theme for this edition is ‘Imagining the Border’, aiming to highlight the symbolic, political, cultural, and affective space where multiple narratives are built. The objective is to continue promoting artistic production that fosters dialogue and critique in this region, reinforcing the shared cultural identity shaped by the diverse voices of both countries.
Collaboration and Participation
The collaboration between MACJ and EPMA, which was interrupted in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resumed in 2024, positions the Border Biennial as a crucial platform for exploring, recognizing, and showcasing artistic creation along the Mexico-United States border.
Claudia Curiel de Icaza, Secretary of Culture of the Government of Mexico, emphasized that “Ciudad Juárez has its own voice in contemporary border art. This biennial recognizes the border as a space for creation, memory, and dialogue, and reaffirms the Museo de Arte de Ciudad Juárez as a key cultural meeting point for this binational region.”
Artists of Mexican or U.S. nationality who reside and work within a 482-kilometer radius of Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, or El Paso, Texas, are eligible to apply. Each participant or collective must propose between two and six works. A total of 30 artists will be selected, and their works will be featured in exhibitions presented simultaneously at both museums: the EPMA and the MACJ.
Key Dates and Support
The call for entries will be open from Sunday, March 15, to Friday, May 1, 2026. The selection results will be announced on June 20, 2026. The inauguration of the exhibitions will take place simultaneously on Friday, September 4, 2026, at both the Museo de Arte de Ciudad Juárez and the El Paso Museum of Art.
The project receives support from the Mellon Foundation, with additional backing from the EPMA Art Foundation and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Museums of the City of El Paso.
Since its inception in 2008, the Border Biennial has fostered significant cultural exchange in the region, maintaining a tradition of binational collaboration through simultaneous presentations at both museums. It has consistently highlighted artists from the border region encompassing Chihuahua, Texas, and New Mexico, providing a space to address themes related to border reality, identity, and complexity.
Further Information
For more details and the complete breakdown of the call for entries, interested artists can consult the official link provided by the organizers. The MACJ operates from Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 to 18:00, and Sunday, 12:00 to 17:00. For inquiries, contact [email protected] or call 656 146 1630. MACJ’s social media channels include Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube (Museo de Arte de Ciudad Juárez), X (@MuseoArteCDJ), and TikTok (@museoartecdj).
Source: INBAL
