Juried Art Shows: How to Get Selected and Build Your Exhibition Record
Get selected for juried art shows. How juried shows work, where to find them, and strategies for building your exhibition record.
Juried Art Shows: How to Get Selected and Build Your Exhibition Record
Juried art shows are competitive exhibitions where artists submit work for consideration by a jury. They're accessible opportunities for building exhibition history, earning recognition, and connecting with the art community.
This guide explains how juried shows work, how to find good ones, and strategies for getting selected consistently.
Quick Answer
- Juried shows accept submissions from any eligible artist; a jury selects work for exhibition
- Good opportunities for emerging artists to build CV and gain exposure
- Success requires strong work, professional documentation, and strategic selection
- Entry fees are common ($25-50 typical); evaluate value before entering
- Quality over quantity - apply selectively to well-matched shows
How Juried Shows Work
The Process
- Call announced: Exhibition opportunity published with theme, requirements, deadline
- Submission period: Artists submit work images and application materials
- Jury review: Panel reviews submissions and selects work for exhibition
- Notification: Artists informed of acceptance or rejection
- Delivery/shipping: Accepted artists send work to venue
- Exhibition: Work displayed; opening reception often held
- Awards: Prizes announced (many shows include cash awards)
- Return: Work shipped back or collected after exhibition closes
Juried Show Types
| Show Type | Entry Fee | Prizes | Career Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Juried Exhibitions | $25-50 | $500-10,000+ | High - prestigious CV credit |
| Regional Shows | $15-35 | $100-2,500 | Medium - builds local presence |
| Online Juried Exhibitions | $10-30 | $100-1,000 | Low-Medium - digital exposure |
| Museum Annuals/Biennials | Often free | Varies | Very High - institutional recognition |
| Art Center Shows | $20-40 | $250-5,000 | Medium - community engagement |
| Themed Competitions | $25-45 | $500-25,000 | Medium-High - specialized recognition |
Types of Juried Shows
Theme-based: Submissions respond to specific theme or concept
Open theme: Any subject/approach accepted
Media-specific: Limited to particular medium (painting, photography, ceramics)
Regional: Restricted to artists from specific geographic area
Career stage: Limited to emerging, student, or established artists
Annual shows: Recurring exhibitions (often prestigious)
Who Juries?
Curators: Museum or gallery professionals
Artists: Established practitioners in relevant media
Critics and writers: Art professionals and scholars
Collectors: Sometimes included on panels
Multiple jurors: Many shows use panels of 2-5+ jurors
Knowing who's jurying helps you understand what might resonate - research their work and preferences.
Finding Quality Juried Shows
Where to Look
Online Databases:
- Artsume Opportunities - Curated exhibition listings
- CaFÉ (Call for Entry) - Large US database
- Submittable Discover - Opportunities across platforms
- EntryThingy - Exhibition calls
Organization Sources:
- Museum and art center calendars
- Art league and guild announcements
- State/regional arts council listings
- Professional organization communications
Community Sources:
- Artist groups and collectives
- Social media artist communities
- Word of mouth from fellow artists
Evaluating Quality
Signs of a good show:
- Established venue with exhibition history
- Professional jury members
- Clear, detailed prospectus
- Reasonable entry fees proportional to opportunity
- Documentation of past shows
- Proper handling of artwork (insurance, conditions)
Red flags:
- Unclear or missing information about venue
- Excessive fees without clear value
- No evidence of past exhibitions
- Vague terms about artwork handling
- Pressure tactics or aggressive marketing
- Claims about massive exposure without evidence
Fee Considerations
| Fee Range | Assessment |
|---|---|
| $0-25 | Reasonable for most shows |
| $25-40 | Acceptable for established venues with prizes |
| $40-60 | Should offer significant value |
| $60+ | Evaluate carefully; usually too high |
Budget for entry fees as a career expense, but be selective.
Preparing Strong Submissions
Work Selection
Choose strategically:
- Your strongest work relevant to the show's focus
- Work that photographs well
- Pieces that fit theme/criteria (if specified)
- Recent work that represents current practice
- Avoid weak pieces even if allowed more submissions
Common mistakes:
- Submitting too many pieces (diluting strong work with weaker pieces)
- Forcing work to fit themes it doesn't match
- Showing outdated work that doesn't represent current practice
- Inconsistent quality across submissions
Documentation Quality
Your images are how the jury experiences your work. Poor documentation eliminates strong work.
Technical requirements:
- Meet exact specifications (size, format, resolution)
- Consistent, professional presentation
- Accurate color reproduction
- Clean backgrounds, proper lighting
- Sharp focus, no distortion
Image selection:
- Best angle/view of work
- Show scale when relevant
- Detail shots if allowed
- Installation views for dimensional work
For complete help: Artist Portfolio Best Practices
Written Components
Artwork information:
- Accurate title, date, medium, dimensions
- Price if applicable
- Clear, consistent formatting
Artist statement (if required):
- Relevant to the show's focus
- Clear and jargon-free
- Explains your work compellingly
CV/Resume:
- Current and properly formatted
- Relevant to your career stage
Artsume keeps your CV and materials organized and ready.
Following Instructions
This is critical:
- Meet every stated requirement
- Respect image limits exactly
- Use correct file formats and naming
- Submit by deadline (not last-minute)
- Include all required information
Juries eliminate entries that don't follow instructions - don't give them reasons to reject you.
Submission Strategy
Choosing Shows Wisely
Ask yourself:
- Does my work genuinely fit this show's focus?
- Is this a reputable venue?
- Is the fee reasonable for the opportunity?
- Would I be proud to have this on my CV?
- Do I have time to participate if accepted?
Building a Pipeline
Annual planning:
- Research shows 6-12 months ahead
- Note deadlines throughout the year
- Budget entry fees
- Balance reach shows with accessible opportunities
Track everything:
- Shows entered and outcomes
- Entry fees spent
- Patterns in what succeeds
- Shows to retry or avoid
Quantity vs. Quality
Quality over quantity: 10-15 well-chosen applications beat 50 rushed submissions
Diversify:
- Mix of local and regional shows
- Range of selectivity levels
- Different themes/venues
- Balance paid and free opportunities
After Notification
If Accepted
- Respond promptly to confirm participation
- Review all requirements (framing, shipping, insurance)
- Prepare work according to specifications
- Ship/deliver by stated deadline
- Attend opening if possible
- Document your inclusion (photos, catalog)
- Update CV immediately
- Collect work after exhibition closes
Handling Selected Work
Presentation requirements:
- Framing standards (often specified)
- Installation hardware
- Labeling requirements
Shipping considerations:
- Proper packing
- Insurance
- Delivery/pickup arrangements
- Budget for shipping costs
Sales policies:
- Commission percentage (often 30-40%)
- Pricing requirements
- How sales are handled
If Not Selected
- Don't take it personally - competition is fierce
- Request feedback if offered
- Assess honestly - was this a good fit?
- Keep applying - persistence matters
- Consider reapplying next cycle
Maximizing Juried Show Benefits
CV Building
Juried shows add to your exhibition history:
- List under "Selected Group Exhibitions"
- Include venue name, city, year
- Note if you won awards
- Be selective as your CV grows
Networking
Shows connect you with:
- Other exhibiting artists
- Venue staff and curators
- Opening reception attendees
- Potential collectors
At openings:
- Introduce yourself professionally
- Engage with other artists' work
- Collect contact information
- Follow up meaningfully
Sales Opportunities
Many juried shows offer sales:
- Price work appropriately
- Understand commission structure
- Be available to collectors during exhibition
- Have materials ready if collectors want more information
Awards and Recognition
Winning awards builds credibility:
- Monetary prizes (from modest to significant)
- Recognition from professional jury
- Press and publicity opportunities
- Future application leverage
Get Ready for Juried Shows
Keep your portfolio and CV organized on Artsume. Always prepared for the next submission deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Juried shows are accessible opportunities for building exhibition history and professional connections. Success comes from strategic selection, strong documentation, and consistent application over time.
Focus on quality - both in your work and your submissions. Research shows before entering. Follow instructions exactly. Track your results and learn from patterns. Over time, this systematic approach builds a solid exhibition record.
Last updated: January 2025
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