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.
✅ Quick Answer
Open calls invite submissions from any eligible artist (vs. invitation-only)
Found on platforms like Artsumé, CaFÉ, Submittable, and arts council websites
Success requires matching your work to the call, strong documentation, and following instructions exactly
Apply selectively to well-matched opportunities rather than submitting everywhere
💡 Key Takeaways
Open calls democratize access to exhibitions and opportunitiesFit matters most —apply where your work genuinely alignsDocumentation is critical —strong images determine successFollow instructions exactly —don't give juries reasons to eliminate youTrack your submissions —data helps you improve over timeBe strategic —quality applications beat quantity 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#
Aspect Open Calls Invitation-Only Gallery Representation Who can apply Any eligible artist Selected/invited artists Artists represented by gallery Selection process Jury reviews all submissions Curator selects from pool Gallery decides Accessibility High Low Requires relationship Competition level High volume of applicants Curated pool Varies
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#
Artsumé 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
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 comprehensive 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
Artsumé 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#
During Submission#
After Submitting#
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 Range Assessment $0-25 Reasonable for most calls $25-50 Acceptable for juried shows, established organizations $50-100 Should offer significant value (major prize, catalog, etc.) $100+ Requires strong justification; research carefully
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#
Respond promptly (usually within stated timeframe)Review all requirements (contracts, deadlines, logistics)Clarify any questions before committingMeet all deadlines for delivery, installation, materialsPrepare work according to specificationsDocument the experience for your recordsUpdate your CV immediatelyShare appropriately (follow publicity guidelines)Attend opening if possibleFollow up professionally with organizers
If Not Selected#
Don't take it personally —competition is fierceRequest feedback if offeredAnalyze honestly —was this a good fit? Were materials strong?Keep applying —persistence mattersConsider reapplying if eligible for future cyclesLearn from patterns across multiple rejections Get Submission-Ready Keep your portfolio and CV organized on Artsumé. Always prepared for the next open call.
Create Free Profile Frequently Asked Questions# Frequently Asked Questions How do I know if an open call is legitimate? Research the hosting organization—look for a track record, past exhibitions, clear contact information, and professional communication. Check if you can find past recipients or documentation of previous programming. Be wary of excessive fees, vague terms, or organizations with no verifiable history.
Should I apply to calls that charge fees? How many open calls should I apply to? What if my work doesn't fit a specific theme? How important are the written components vs. images? Should I apply to the same call multiple years? How do I handle multiple acceptances with conflicting dates? What's the difference between RFQ and RFP for public art calls? 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 Artsumé 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
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