The Historical Society of Washington, D.C. (HSW) is launching “For the Record: Artfully Historic D.C.”, a new program to capture and preserve scenes of the District’s built environment. Along with the DC Preservation League and the National Building Museum, The Capitol Hill Art League is co-sponsoring the juried competition initiative that seeks submissions of paintings and photography. Continuing on its long tradition of collecting artworks that depict life in Washington, the Historical Society partnered with the DC Preservation League to develop its list of Most Endangered Places. The list includes buildings at risk of being lost or destroyed as the city’s urban landscape continues to transform, and it will provide local artists with the subjects for art and photo submissions.

For full details on the initiative, the exhibit, and the submissions process, please see the Historical Society’s web site here. The exhibit will run April 22nd through May 27th, 2015. The deadline for online entries is February 1st, 2015. Nine jurors from national and Washington area art and cultural institutions will curate the exhibit. The competition’s jury consists of individuals from: FotoDC, The George Washington University, National Building Museum, National Geographic Society, National Park Service, National Portrait Gallery, NEWSEUM, and The Phillips Collection.  To learn more about the jurors, click here. The jurors will select 75 artworks for display at the Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square, and these will also be included in a printed catalog. Of those 75 pieces, the top five winning artists will receive a financial award and their artworks will be formally accessioned into the Society’s permanent collection. In conjunction with the Historical Society’s 121st anniversary celebration, a closing night reception will be held on May 27th where awards will be presented.