ROCKLAND — The Center for Maine Contemporary Art will continue to accept online submissions for the 2016 CMCA Biennial Exhibition until midnight, April 4, through the CMCA website. The CMCA Biennial is an open juried competition for artists at all stages of their career who have a strong connection to the state of Maine. Work in all mediums is accepted for review. Submission to the 2016 CMCA Biennial is free of charge thanks to the generous support of Allen Insurance and Financial and CHUBB.

The 2016 CMCA Biennial will be held in the art center's new building at 21 Winter Street, from November 4, — January 24, 2017. The jurors for the 2016 CMCA Biennial are Christine Berry, director of Berry Campbell Gallery, New York City, and John Yau, noted writer, poet, and art critic for Hyperallergic. As the first biennial in its new home, CMCA will be dedicating all 5,500 square feet of display space in the three galleries to the exhibition. "We hope the combination of great jurors, free submission, and the opportunity to exhibit in these stunning new galleries will encourage a large number of artists to apply," says CMCA director Suzette McAvoy.

The CMCA Biennial Exhibition typically takes place in the fall of even-numbered years. The concept of an open juried competition at CMCA dates back to 1978 when then director Ben Goldsmith presented the annual Juried Exhibition. It was the only continuing statewide juried exhibition until the Portland Museum of Art introduced its first Biennial in 1998. Since then, CMCA and the PMA have presented Biennials in alternating years. For full submission guidelines and to apply, please visit cmcanow.org/biennial-exhibition/. Applicants will be notified of selections on May 2, by email.