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Open · Closes in 1 day
Applications close
Oct 18, 202611:59 PM CDTCloses in 1 dayCloses Oct 18, 2026 · 1 day left
Commercial gallery · Ventura, CA, United States · 4 programs
NOW ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS FOR 2027 PROGRAM
For the last seven years, Dama Gallery has called the Historic Core of Downtown Los Angeles home, growing inside Gallery Row and the city's contemporary art community since 2019. In that time, we have built a devoted following among collectors, residents, artists, and visitors.
Dama Gallery is a member of Gallery Association of Los Angeles (GA(LA), whose leadership and membership span some of the most respected names in the Los Angeles art world, from Gagosian and David Zwirner to Regen Projects and Christies.
Situated on Main Street Dama Gallery is listed on the First Thursdays DTLA ArtNight map among Hauser & Wirth, LACMA and The Broad.
The Gallery Hangover, our IMDb-credited podcast is now entering it's fourth season, sharing our artists' stories with a growing audience. As we enter our eighth year downtown, 2027 we are seeking bold, compelling voices to help shape a season of fresh perspectives and ambitious exhibitions.
LOCATION — Located on Main Street in the Historic Core of Downtown Los Angeles, Dama Gallery has been an active part of Gallery Row since 2019. Over the past seven years, the gallery has established itself as a trusted presence within this landmark district, serving a growing community of collectors, residents, artists, and visitors who regard it as their local contemporary art destination. Gallery Row remains a dense, walkable stretch of galleries and landmark architecture that has long defined Downtown Los Angeles as a center for contemporary art.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS — Dama Gallery is a member of the Gallery Association of Los Angeles (GA(LA)), an organization whose leadership and membership span some of the most respected names in the Los Angeles art world, from Gagosian and David Zwirner to Regen Projects and Christie's. As a member, Dama Gallery stands among the institutions shaping the city's contemporary art scene, from its leading galleries to its most influential auction houses.
Dama Gallery has also been a longstanding member of DTLA ArtNight since its inception in 2023, when a handful of galleries in the Historic Core first agreed to open their doors together and keep the lights on late. What began as a single-night gathering along Gallery Row has since grown into one of the city's defining cultural events, now spanning 50 destinations across three neighborhoods, connected by a free trolley and a shared map, drawing Angelenos out for a free, walkable night of art each month.
VENUE — Dama Gallery's Downtown Los Angeles space is an industrial envelope built for contemporary art, ten and twelve foot walls designed to partition the gallery for distinctive display of artwork. This unique layout that maximizes linear wall space for exhibition installation. Set at courtyard level, the gallery offers a quiet, natural point of arrival in the center of the city, a space designed around the personal, unhurried experience of viewing contemporary art.
The gallery keeps focused public viewing hours by design, prioritizing meaningful conversation with collectors. Here, art is encountered and discussed, not simply displayed, with a knowledgeable team on hand to welcome both seasoned collectors and first-time visitors alike. The result is an experience that is refined without being intimidating, where every acquisition, large or small, is treated as the beginning of a lasting relationship between collector, gallery, and artist.
CONSIDERATION — Submissions are for our 2027 exhibition program, with the first exhibition opening in January. Entries are reviewed on an ongoing basis, with selections made throughout the month. Given the depth of our review process, we encourage artists to submit early to ensure ample time for consideration. Each submission undergoes a careful, meticulous review process, where artists are considered primarily for the quality, clarity, and strength of their work, as well as their overall preparedness for exhibition. Selection is highly intentional and curatorial in nature, with each proposal evaluated independently to ensure alignment with the gallery's standards and the specific context of the space. This considered approach allows the program to maintain a focused curatorial vision while fostering meaningful dialogue between artists, collectors, and the broader contemporary art community.
EXHIBITION — The current Los Angeles program features a curated mix of solo and group exhibitions selected based on what best serves the overall strength, balance, and direction of the program. Each selection is made with a focus on curatorial cohesion, ensuring that the work presented contributes meaningfully to the broader gallery vision. The scale and presentation of each exhibition are determined by the individual artist's medium, conceptual depth, and spatial needs, allowing the work to be shown in its most effective form. Selected artists are invited to participate in openings and may also be considered for The Gallery Hangover Podcast. Entries submitted are being currently considered for the 2027 Los Angeles group exhibition program.
PROGRAM — Program dates are subject to change at the gallery's discretion, including adjustments related to scheduling, seasonal considerations, holidays, and operational needs.
CALL FEE — A submission fee of $35 for the first 3 images applies. Additional images may be added at $5 per image, up to a maximum of 20. Fees are allocated to cover the curator's time, portfolio reviews, submission consultations, exhibition publications, artist stipends, juror honorariums, gallery interns, and other essential aspects of planning, marketing, and executing a large-scale, professionally curated exhibition program. This ensures that both artist and curator efforts are fairly recognized and supported.
COMMISSION & REMITTANCE — Dama Gallery adheres to standard industry practice with a 50% commission on sales. Payment is remitted within 5-7 business days the completed sale, accompanied by a detailed statement.
NOTIFICATIONS — Artists will receive notifications via the CaFÉ platform or direct email, with final decisions made at the curator's discretion. Submissions are reviewed on a weekly basis, and selections are continuous until the exhibition roster is completed. This is not a single fixed deadline after which all submissions are immediately reviewed and decisions issued; the review process is ongoing, and the deadline may be adjusted as needed while the exhibition roster is being built. This structure is intentional and our selection process is curatorial by design. Work is reviewed on an ongoing basis and evaluated for strength, clarity, originality, execution, preparedness, and relevance to the exhibition program. Individual acceptance or rejection decisions are not issued until the the curatorial process in complete and the call is closed.
CONTACT — You may send a courteous email to dtla@damagallery for all inquiries regarding this call (questions about your status, late entries, additional entries, consultation appointments, etc.) Be sure to include the name on your CaFE account and date of submission.
ABOUT DAMA GALLERY — Founded in 2011 in Ventura, California, Dama Gallery is an independent contemporary art gallery guided by an "art first" philosophy: curatorial rigor, artist advocacy, and a focus on technical mastery and conceptual depth. Over 15+ years, it has grown into a multifaceted platform with locations in Los Angeles and Texas, plus a history of international programming in Mexico City, presenting hundreds of exhibitions with artists ranging from emerging to internationally established. Beyond exhibitions, the gallery has expanded into artist representation, advisory, collection development, publications, and original media, including the IMDb-credited Gallery Hangover Podcast. At its core, Dama Gallery operates with the intention of building lasting relationships between artists and collectors, treating every acquisition as a meaningful connection rather than a transaction.
ART REQUIREMENTS — All artwork must be original and unsold. The artist must own the sole copyright to art. Frames, mats & wiring must be professional quality & in good condition. No saw-tooth hangers. Wiring must be securely fashioned & support weight of the artwork. 2D Artwork selected for exhibition MUST BE READY TO HANG.
SHIPPING (EXHIBITION) — Absolutely no packing peanuts. Crates, boxes, even small packages containing packing peanuts will be resealed and immediately shipped back to you, no exceptions. Artists are responsible for round-trip shipping & insurance (during shipping) of artworks for purposes of exhibition.
ACCEPTED ARTWORK — Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture, Glass, Fiber, Functional, Digital, Photography, Installation, mixed media and New Genres. Proposals may include multiple disciplines.
SUBMISSION TIP — A comprehensive and detailed submission will include at least 5 images, biography and artist statement. Include your website and social media accounts.
October 10, 2026 — Open Date
11:59 p.m. CDT Oct. 18, 2026 — Application Deadline
Compensation details
Fees from the entry fee are allocated to cover the curator's time, portfolio reviews, submission consultations, exhibition publications, artist stipends, juror honorariums, gallery interns, and other costs of running the exhibition program; no direct compensation to applicants is stated beyond a 50% sales commission remitted to the artist on completed sales.
4 items to prepare.
Requirements
Applications close
Oct 18, 202611:59 PM CDT
Entries are reviewed on an ongoing basis, with selections made throughout the month, and artists are considered primarily for the quality, clarity, and strength of their work and their overall preparedness for exhibition. Selection is curatorial in nature, with each proposal evaluated independently for alignment with the gallery's standards and the specific context of the space.
Submissions are reviewed on a weekly basis and selections are continuous until the exhibition roster is completed; individual acceptance or rejection decisions are not issued until the curatorial process is complete and the call is closed. Artists will receive notifications via the CaFE platform or direct email, with final decisions made at the curator's discretion.
Evaluation criteria
Commercial gallery · Ventura, CA, United States
A contemporary art gallery on Gallery Row in Downtown Los Angeles.
All artwork must be original and unsold. The artist must own the sole copyright to the art. Frames, mats and wiring must be professional quality and in good condition, with no saw-tooth hangers, and wiring must be securely fashioned and support the weight of the artwork. 2D artwork selected for exhibition must be ready to hang.
4 items to prepare.