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CaFÉ Alternative

The CaFÉ alternative built on a living artist network

CaFÉ collects entries one call at a time. On Artsume an artist carries the same profile into every call they apply to.

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Layer, not replacement

Submission tools manage entries. Artsume builds the network that survives.

Most platforms in this space treat artist data as a one-time pipeline: collect it, score it, forget it. Artsume treats it as a relationship. We add a layer those systems don’t have.

A form tool vs. a professional identity.

CaFÉ and Artsume solve the same surface problem (submitting to open calls) in different ways. The difference compounds over an artist's career.

CaFÉ and legacy platformsArtsume
What the artist getsA submitted form. It disappears after the deadline.A verified profile they keep and carry forever.
Who owns the dataThe organization or the platform's silo.The artist owns their profile.
Across programsRe-enter everything, every time.One profile, every application.
CredibilityAn unverified PDF attached to a form.Verified affiliations, accepted applications, real outcomes.
After the resultNothing accumulates.Every win becomes a credential that deepens the profile.

One verified profile. Every opportunity.

Your Artsume profile is the professional identity you build once and carry everywhere.

Apply in one click

Your CV, portfolio, and statement travel with you. Open a call on Artsume and your profile is already there.

Credentials the art world trusts

Organizations confirm your affiliations. Every accepted application becomes a credential on your profile.

A record that compounds

Every win and every verified affiliation deepens your professional standing. The profile grows with your career.

Start free. Pay only when you need more.

Artsume Network is free: unlimited programs, unlimited submissions, unlimited team members, your artist network, and simple accept/reject review. Artsume Intelligence ($79/month billed annually, or $129/month monthly) adds blind review, custom rubrics, reporting, and written artist overviews. The only other fee is a 10% platform fee on application payments your organization chooses to charge, and that only applies when you collect revenue. That 10% is all-in: Artsume covers the card processing, with no monthly minimum and no per-payout charge.

Competitor pricing based on publicly available information as of 2026. See our full comparison for side-by-side figures.

  • No monthly subscription for organizations
  • No per-call setup fees
  • Artists pay Artsume nothing to apply
  • 10% fee only on optional application payments you collect, card processing included

Who CaFÉ is still a good fit for.

CaFÉ has been running since 2002 and has a large installed base, particularly in public-sector and government arts programs. If your organization relies on CaFÉ's jury workflow integrations with specific state or municipal arts agencies, switching mid-cycle carries real coordination cost. The same holds if your team has ingrained processes built around CaFÉ's interface. Organizations running a small number of annual calls with predictable, fixed-fee budgets may also find the switch less pressing. Artsume is the stronger choice for organizations that want to attract and retain high-quality applicants, and to give artists something worth applying for.

Switching is easier than you think.

Artists bring their existing profiles. Organizations are live within a day. Free migration assistance is included.

  • Import your existing programs
  • Artists import existing CV and portfolio
  • Free migration assistance included
  • 30-minute setup call available
1 day
Average migration time
Start your migration

Questions about switching from CaFÉ.

Is Artsume cheaper than CaFÉ?

Artsume is free to start for every organization. There are no per-call setup fees, and Artsume Network has no monthly cost. The only fee is a 10% platform fee on application payments your organization chooses to collect, and that only applies if you charge artists to apply. That 10% is all-in: Artsume covers the card processing, with no monthly minimum and no per-payout charge. An optional Artsume Intelligence subscription ($79/month billed annually) adds advanced reviews, reporting, and written artist overviews. Based on publicly available information, CaFÉ charges significant per-call and per-application fees. See our full comparison at artsume.com/compare.

What makes an Artsume profile more credible than a CaFÉ submission?

A CaFÉ submission is a one-time form. Once the deadline passes, it exists only in the organization's database. An Artsume profile is a verified professional identity the artist owns and builds over time. Organizations confirm affiliations, accepted applications become credentials, and every outcome accumulates as proof. Reviewers read a living record.

Can I move my existing work to Artsume?

Yes. Artists can import existing CV content and portfolio work into Artsume. You build your profile once, then apply to every program on the platform with one click. You never re-enter your biography, CV, or portfolio from scratch.

Is Artsume built specifically for the arts?

Yes. Artsume is built for the visual and performing arts. The review interface is visual-first, artwork is the primary data point, and the CV structure follows CAA formatting standards.

Who manages the transition for my organization?

Artsume provides free migration assistance for organizations switching from other platforms. Most organizations are running their first call within a day. A 30-minute setup call is available at no cost.

Ready to build your verified profile?

Free for artists. Free for organizations. No credit card required.

Build your ArtsumeFull platform comparison