Open Calls for Artists: How to Find and Apply Successfully

Open Calls for Artists: How to Find and Apply Successfully

Open calls are opportunities where artists can submit work for consideration - for exhibitions, publications, public art projects, residencies, and more. Unlike invitation-only opportunities, open calls welcome submissions from any artist who meets the eligibility criteria.

Understanding how open calls work and developing a strategic approach to finding and applying to them is essential for building your exhibition history and professional network.

What Are Open Calls?

Open calls (also called "calls for entry," "calls for artists," or "calls for submissions") are public invitations for artists to submit work or proposals for consideration. They democratize access to opportunities that might otherwise be invite-only.

How Open Calls Differ from Other Opportunities

Types of Open Calls

Exhibition Calls: Submit work for group shows, juried exhibitions, or solo show competitions

• Most common type of open call
• Usually include entry fees ($25-50 typical)
• May include prizes or awards

Publication Calls: Opportunities for inclusion in catalogs, magazines, books, or online features

• Artist features and portfolio reviews
• Themed issues or compilations
• Often less competitive than exhibitions

Public Art Calls: Requests for proposals (RFPs) or qualifications (RFQs) for site-specific commissions

• Larger scale projects
• More complex application requirements
• Often higher stakes (significant budgets)

Residency Calls: Open applications for artist residency programs

• Time-limited application windows
• Vary from fully-funded to fee-based
• Geographic or discipline-specific

Grant Calls: Open application periods for funding programs

• Project grants or career development
• Often annual cycles
• Detailed proposals required

Festival/Event Calls: Submissions for art festivals, fairs, and special events

• Time-specific opportunities
• May be performance, installation, or object-based
• Often theme-driven

Collection Calls: Opportunities for acquisition by museums or collections

• Institutional acquisition programs
• Sometimes include payment for acquired work
• Builds long-term CV value

The Selection Process

Most open calls follow a similar process:

1. Call Published: Organization announces opportunity with guidelines, deadline, requirements

2. Submission Period: Artists submit during open window (typically 4-12 weeks)

3. Review Period: Jury or curator reviews all submissions (weeks to months)

4. Selection: Finalists or recipients chosen based on criteria

5. Notification: Results communicated to all applicants (or just accepted)

6. Outcome: Exhibition, publication, or project proceeds

Understanding what happens after you submit:

• Juries may review hundreds of submissions
• Initial screening often eliminates incomplete or non-compliant applications
• Work samples are typically reviewed before written materials
• Multiple rounds may narrow down finalists
• Final selections often involve discussion among jurors

Where to Find Open Calls

Dedicated Platforms

Artsume Opportunities

• Curated listings across opportunity types
• Filter by deadline, type, location, career stage
• Integrated with your artist profile for easy applications

CaFÉ (Call for Entry)

• Large database primarily for US exhibitions and public art
• Standardized application format
• Portfolio upload system

Submittable Discover

• Browse open calls across organizations using Submittable
• Multiple categories (visual art, writing, grants)
• Direct application through platform

Artwork Archive

• Opportunity listings integrated with inventory management
• Good for tracking submissions

Wooloo

• International open calls and residencies
• European focus but global listings

EntryThingy

• Exhibition and competition calls
• Simple interface

Organization-Specific Sources

Arts Councils: State, provincial, and municipal arts councils post calls for exhibitions, grants, and public art

• Often less competitive than national calls
• Support local artists

Museums: Many museums have open submission periods for emerging artist programs

• Check museum websites regularly
• Often annual programs

Art Centers: Nonprofit art centers frequently host juried shows

• Community-focused exhibitions
• More accessible than commercial galleries

Galleries: Some galleries have open portfolio review periods

• Both commercial and nonprofit
• Check submission policies on websites

Universities: Campus galleries often have open calls

• May be limited to regional artists
• Academic calendar timing

Community Sources

Email Newsletters

• Subscribe to relevant organizations' mailing lists
• Opportunity roundups from artist service organizations
• Regional arts council newsletters

Social Media

• Follow galleries, art centers, and opportunity accounts
• Artist communities share calls
• Facebook groups, Instagram, LinkedIn

Professional Groups

• Artist organizations share calls with members
• Discipline-specific organizations
• Local artist collectives

Word of Mouth

• Fellow artists often share opportunities
• Mentors and professors
• Studio visit conversations

Setting Up Alerts

Google Alerts: Set alerts for terms like:

• "call for artists [your medium]"
• "open call [your city]"
• "art exhibition submissions"

Platform Notifications

• Enable alerts on opportunity platforms
• Set preferences for relevant categories
• Deadline reminders

Calendar Reminders

• Schedule regular time to check favorite sources
• Set reminders for annual deadlines
• Track submission deadlines

Evaluating Open Calls

Not every open call deserves your time. Evaluate strategically.

Fit Assessment

Mission Alignment

• Does your work connect to the theme or organization's focus?
• Look at past exhibitions - would your work fit?
• Read the mission statement carefully

Eligibility

• Do you meet all requirements (geography, career stage, medium)?
• Don't waste time on calls where you don't qualify
• Some requirements are strict; others are guidelines

Past Programming

• Does your work fit alongside their previous selections?
• Research past exhibitions and recipients
• Are they showing work at your level?

Genuine Interest

• Would you be excited about this opportunity specifically?
• Enthusiasm shows in applications
• Don't apply just for CV lines

Legitimacy Check

Organization Reputation

• How long have they existed?
• What's their track record?
• Can you find information about past shows?

Past Recipients/Exhibitions

• Are past recipients verifiable?
• Do they have successful careers?
• Can you find documentation of past shows?

Clear Terms

• Are submission guidelines clear and professional?
• Are exhibition terms, contracts explained?
• What happens to artwork during and after the show?

Reasonable Fees

• Are fees proportional to the opportunity?
• What does the fee cover?
• How many works can you submit?

Red Flags

Be cautious of:

• Excessive fees without clear value
• Vague or missing organization information
• No documentation of past programming
• Unclear terms about artwork rights, sales commissions, or shipping
• Pressure tactics or urgency manipulation
• Claims of massive exposure without evidence
• Organizations that seem to profit primarily from entry fees

Practical Considerations

Time Investment

• How much effort does the application require?
• Is it proportional to potential benefit?
• Do you have time before the deadline?

Costs

• Entry fees
• Shipping (if selected)
• Travel to opening
• Framing/preparation costs

Timeline

• Does the timeline work with your other commitments?
• Can you deliver work if selected?
• Are you available for opening/events?

Career Benefit

• How does this opportunity advance your goals?
• CV value?
• Networking potential?
• Sales opportunity?

Preparing Strong Submissions

Work Samples

Your images are the most important element of any submission. Juries assess your work primarily through documentation.

Technical Requirements

• Follow exact file specifications (format, size, resolution, color profile)
• Meet dimension requirements precisely
• Use correct naming conventions
• Test that files open correctly before submitting

Quality Standards

• Professional documentation (proper lighting, clean backgrounds)
• Accurate color representation
• Consistent presentation across all images
• Sharp focus, no distortion
• No watermarks or distracting elements

Selection Strategy

• Choose your strongest work relevant to the call
• Show range within coherence
• Consider how images work as a sequence
• Quality over quantity - don't pad with weak work

For complete guidance: Artist Portfolio Best Practices

Written Components

Artist Statement

• Clear, jargon-free language
• Explains what you make and why
• Connects to this specific opportunity when relevant
• Appropriate length (usually 150-300 words)

For help: How to Write an Artist Statement

Project Descriptions

• Specific information about individual works
• Title, date, medium, dimensions
• Brief conceptual description when helpful

Application Questions

• Answer exactly what's asked
• Be specific to this opportunity
• Show you've done your research
• Keep within word limits

CV/Resume

• Current and properly formatted
• Relevant to your career stage
• Error-free

Artsume keeps your CV and portfolio organized and ready for any call.

Following Instructions

This cannot be overstated:

• Meet every stated requirement
• Respect word/character limits exactly
• Use correct file formats and naming
• Submit on time (not at the last minute)
• Don't include materials they didn't ask for

Juries often eliminate entries that don't follow instructions - don't give them reasons to reject you before they see your work.

Submission Best Practices

Before Submitting

• Read all guidelines completely (twice)
• Confirm eligibility
• Note every requirement (files, text, deadlines)
• Check for required file naming conventions
• Prepare all materials before starting submission
• Test file uploads with correct specifications

During Submission

• Follow instructions exactly
• Double-check file uploads completed successfully
• Review all text for typos and errors
• Verify artwork information is accurate
• Save confirmation numbers/emails
• Submit before deadline (not at the last minute)

After Submitting

• Save confirmation for records
• Note expected notification timeline
• Add deadline/notification date to calendar
• Record in your tracking system
• Move on - don't obsess

Understanding Fees

Why Open Calls Charge Fees

Legitimate reasons for fees:

• Administrative costs of managing submissions
• Jury honoraria and expenses
• Platform/technology costs
• Prize or award funds
• Exhibition costs (venue, installation, marketing)
• Catalog production

Evaluating Fee Reasonableness

Fee Red Flags

• Fees disproportionate to the opportunity
• Multiple fees stacked together
• Fees with unclear purposes
• Organizations that seem to profit primarily from fees
• "Entry fees" plus "hanging fees" plus "reception fees"

Managing Fee Costs

• Budget for application fees as a career expense
• Be more selective with paid calls
• Prioritize free opportunities when available
• Track fee spending and results
• Calculate your cost per acceptance

Tracking Your Submissions

What to Record

For each submission:

• Opportunity name and organization
• Submission date
• Deadline
• Fee paid
• Works submitted (which specific pieces)
• Expected notification date
• Result
• Notes/feedback received

Using Data to Improve

Over time, analyze:

• Success rates by opportunity type
• Which work gets selected most often
• Patterns in acceptances vs. rejections
• Return on investment for paid calls
• Which platforms/sources yield best results

After Notification

If Selected

1. Respond promptly (usually within stated timeframe)
2. Review all requirements (contracts, deadlines, logistics)
3. Clarify any questions before committing
4. Meet all deadlines for delivery, installation, materials
5. Prepare work according to specifications
6. Document the experience for your records
7. Update your CV immediately
8. Share appropriately (follow publicity guidelines)
9. Attend opening if possible
10. Follow up professionally with organizers

If Not Selected

1. Don't take it personally - competition is fierce
2. Request feedback if offered
3. Analyze honestly - was this a good fit? Were materials strong?
4. Keep applying - persistence matters
5. Consider reapplying if eligible for future cycles
6. Learn from patterns across multiple rejections

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Mistakes

Application Errors

• Missing deadlines (set reminders)
• Wrong file formats or sizes
• Incomplete submissions
• Ignoring word limits
• Last-minute submissions (technical problems happen)

Strategic Errors

• Submitting to everything regardless of fit
• Generic applications without tailoring
• Chasing only prestigious calls while ignoring attainable ones
• Not tracking submissions and results
• Giving up after rejection

Documentation Errors

• Poor quality images
• Inconsistent presentation
• Missing or incorrect artwork information
• Outdated CV or statement

Conclusion

Open calls democratize access to exhibitions, publications, and opportunities that advance your career. Success comes from strategic selection, strong documentation, careful submission, and persistent effort.

Start by setting up your Artsume profile to keep your portfolio and CV ready for any call. Then browse current opportunities to find open calls matched to your practice.

Last updated: January 2025

Related Guides:

• How to Find Art Opportunities
• How to Get Into Art Exhibitions
• Juried Art Shows
• Artist Portfolio Best Practices
• Best Practices for Applying
• Browse Open Calls