About This Call
The Cincinnati based non-profit arts organization and gallery, Manifest, invites visual artists and designers to submit works of art with no specific theme. Open to all traditional and non-traditional genre and media, including 2D, 3D, etc.
Manifest is known for its thoughtful thematic approaches to exhibitions. When we put out a call for works with a subject in mind, the resulting show serves as a survey of contemporary art made about that certain idea. The subjects span geographies, emotions, methods, ideas. Through our over 550 exhibit history Manifest has produced shows exploring hundreds of unique themes. And each work, each theme, has been documented through our exhibition catalogs and award-winning publications.
The next creative experiment we want to run, now for a third year in a row, is this: reverse the process and host an open call, then discover the theme (or multiple themes) through the curatorial process, and not before. With an eye still fixed on finding and showcasing exceptional quality visual art, we want to give the artists a chance to steer the epiphanies that a TOTALLY OPEN call will yield.
Utilizing a reduced entry fee to lower certain barriers to access, this call is TOTALLY OPEN—completely open to any work, any media, and idea, under the umbrella of "visual art".
Eligibility
TOTALLY OPEN is open to everyone internationally. There is no limitation to this special call. Artists in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana are encouraged to consider the Regional Showcase exhibition for this exhibit period instead.
Media
Open to all traditional and non-traditional genre and media, including 2D, 3D, etc. Manifest's carefully assembled juries change from project to project, and have no collective predisposition towards any particular kind or style of art.
Size Limit
Manifest has no size restrictions on submissions other than what can fit in their spaces, on their walls, and through their door.
Date Restrictions
Manifest has no requirements on timeframe when submitted works must have been made. While most work submitted has been made within the past five years or so, sometimes older works are submitted and accepted.
Exhibiting Artist Honoraria
Each participating exhibitor will receive a $50 honorarium, intended as a modest thank-you and as possible practical support for shipping, framing, delivery, or travel to attend the Manifest exhibit reception events.
$9,000 in Grand Jury Awards
Since Manifest's 13th season the annual Grand Jury Award has recognized one exhibited work each year with a significant jury-determined cash prize. The current format awards $1,000 to one work during each of nine exhibition periods during Manifest's 23rd season (beginning September 25, 2026 through August 2027), including this one.
Entry Fee
This special project has a dramatically minimized entry fee structure in order to provide access for exhibiting at Manifest to more artists with limited means. $10 per each entry. Fees are non-refundable. Number of entries is unlimited.
Jury and Curator
Manifest's selection process involves a complex two-part system. This exhibit will be juried by an anonymous several member panel of professional and academic advisors with a broad range of expertise relative to art and design. The jury will then pass along their recommendations to the exhibit curator who will make the final selections from the jury-approved pool.
Sale of Artwork
Artworks are not required to be for sale in order to be included. Works must be indicated as either "for sale" or not for sale (NFS). Manifest Gallery will retain a commission of 30% of the sale price on all artwork sold during the exhibition.
Calendar
- November 22: Deadline to Submit
- January 25, 2027: Notifications sent by email
- February 1 (ASAP): Hi-res images needed for season annual and PR
- February 27: Artwork due to Manifest
- March 4: Special Preview Event (Ticketed, 7-9pm)
- March 5: Opening Reception (6-9pm)
- April 2: Final Day of Exhibition