CALL FOR ART

The Thirteenth Annual One

ArtsWorcester, 44 Portland Street, Worcester MA

Registration Deadline: June 25, 11:59 PM

Drop off period: July 7 - July 13

Exhibition run: July 24 - August 24

Reception: Friday, July 25, 6- 9 PM

Pick up period: August 25 - August 31

All ArtsWorcester members are invited to participate in the Thirteenth Annual One! Bring us the single piece you want to exhibit most, regardless of medium or theme. To make room for all, there is a strict size limit of 36” in any direction for any artwork that hangs on the wall- including wall-hanging sculptures. Artworks that stand on the floor or pedestal are limited to 90” in height and 36” at their widest point.

Prizes will be awarded by Dina Vazquez, Executive Director of Gallery Marquee. Dina Vazquez is a multidisciplinary Puerto Rican-American artist and curator based in Fitchburg, MA. She blends pastel galactic aesthetics with urban high-fashion influences to explore identity, resistance, and cultural pride. As Executive Director of Gallery Marquee, she curates exhibitions that uplift underrepresented voices and enrich the local arts community. She is currently preparing work for a solo exhibition opening in July 2025.

This is a non-juried, open members’ exhibition that has no theme. Each artist may register one work, and all registrations must be made online. All media are welcome, including but not limited to fine craft, painting, photography, sculpture, digital, and video. Have a question about the call, or want to share what you’re thinking of submitting? Email alice@artsworcester.org or call the gallery at 508-755-5142.
 

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Please read this list thoroughly before registering your work. Any works that do not meet these requirements will not be considered.

• Current ArtsWorcester membership is required to submit. If membership fees are a financial obstacle to participation, please write alice@artsworcester.org or ask in the galleries about the Pay It Forward Fund.
• Each artist may submit one artwork.
• All submissions must be made through this Submittable form. 
• All work must be original, created within the last ten years (2015 onward), and not previously exhibited at ArtsWorcester. 
• Two-dimensional or wall-hanging artworks- including sculptures that go on the wall-  must not exceed 36” in any direction, including frame.
• Three-dimensional artworks that do not hang on the wall are limited to 90” in height and 36” at the widest point.
• Artworks suspended from the ceiling are limited to 25 pounds.
• Works must be exhibition-ready with framing and wire as appropriate. Alternative hanging methods (suspended from the ceiling, installed with magnets, etc.) must be tested prior to submission to ensure successful installation, and additional required hardware must be provided.
• ArtsWorcester has limited screening devices for video artworks. Video artists may be asked to provide their own screening device that fits the size requirements of two-dimensional artworks.
• All artwork submissions must include one high-quality image to be included on the exhibition website.
• Artwork must be brought to ArtsWorcester, 44 Portland Street, Worcester, MA during the designated drop off period. ArtsWorcester cannot accept or return artworks by mail.
• Artists receive sixty percent of each sale made through our galleries.

CALL FOR PROPOSALS

Member-Curated exhibitions

ArtsWorcester, Worcester MA

Rolling submission deadline

Notifications: beginning early June, 4-6 weeks after submission

Click here for complete information on the call, including venue floor plans. You should look for information specific to the Member-Curated opportunity and the Central Corridor.

ArtsWorcester invites proposals for our 2025-26 gallery season. Member-Curated Exhibitions are an opportunity for artists to use their curatorial skills and gain independent, hands-on experience producing an exhibition. Located in ArtsWorcester’s Central Corridor, these shows include at least 3-4 artist members’ work, chosen by one curator. The curator may include their own artwork in the proposal. All participating artists must be ArtsWorcester members. 

Curators are responsible for communicating with participating artists, collecting, delivering, and retrieving artwork, providing an exhibition statement, and installing the exhibition in the Central Corridor. ArtsWorcester staff will be available for input on layout and to train the curator on the Arakawa hanging system.

Successful proposals should clearly state a curatorial vision for the space and the artists to be included. Curators should have experience working with ArtsWorcester and must demonstrate their capacity to fulfill this leadership role. Proposals are welcome on a rolling basis, and will be evaluated by ArtsWorcester staff and volunteers.

All work must be wall-hanging and may not extend more than 12” from the wall. Artworks are hung on a secured Arakawa hanging system (track and wire) and D-rings. This space cannot accommodate free-standing or pedestal artwork. Further questions about what type of artwork is feasible in this space may be directed to alice@artsworcester.org.

Submission requirements and guidelines

• Current ArtsWorcester membership is required for all artists at the time of submission. There is no geographic restriction on membership, but artists (or their proxy) must deliver and pick up all artwork. If membership fees are a financial obstacle to participation, please write alice@artsworcester.org or ask in the galleries about the Pay It Forward Fund.
• Artists must have exhibited in at least one members’ or juried exhibition at ArtsWorcester in the last two calendar years prior to submitting an exhibition proposal.
• All submissions must be made electronically using Submittable. Hard-copy and email submissions will not be accepted.
• Artists may submit different proposals to the different exhibition options available.
• The committee prioritizes proposals from artists who have not had a solo exhibition at ArtsWorcester in the past three years.
• Exhibited works must have been completed within the last five years and not previously shown at ArtsWorcester.
• Artists under final consideration for Member-Curated exhibitions may be asked to bring in examples of proposed works for in-person viewing.
• Artists earn 60% on sales made through our galleries. Artists exhibiting through our corporate art program also receive loan fees for their artwork.
• While on view through ArtsWorcester, all artwork is insured for its market value.

What we need from you:

• An exhibition proposal, not to exceed 175 words, that describes the scope of your proposed exhibition.
• A list of the artists you intend to include in the exhibition.
• Answers, each not to exceed 100 words, to the following questions: How complete is your proposed exhibition? What one to three ideas, concepts, or experiences does this body of work/ exhibition communicate? What inspirations or traditions guided or influenced this body of work/ exhibition? How are the methods or techniques used important to this body of work/ exhibition? 
• A curriculum vitae or artist resumé. Click here for examples of CVs for both gallery-based and public artists.
• 5 .jpg images of works from the artists to be included 

CALL FOR PROPOSALS
Artist Shoeboxes
ArtsWorcester, Worcester MA

Submission deadline: April 16, 2025
Notifications: early June, 2025

Click here for complete information on the call, including venue floor plans, the exhibition committee, and other helpful links.

  ArtsWorcester invites proposals for our 2025-2026 gallery season. With the exception of member-curated exhibitions, eligible proposals are evaluated by a panel of seven volunteers, all with extensive experience as curators, educators, collectors, and/or artists. All proposals are viewed anonymously.

  Help us make use of our moveable walls, or take over our “window gallery!” These walls can be used to section off a gallery into 3-5 smaller “shoebox” spaces each dedicated to one artist’s work. This opportunity is perfect for a site-specific installation or series that may not be large enough to fill an entire gallery space.

  Though these shows occupy a small area of a gallery and invite the creation of a unique environment, they are reviewed by the same committee with the same standards as solo exhibitions.

  If you plan to apply for a solo exhibition at ArtsWorcester in the future, bear in mind any work shown in a series/small installation show may not be shown here again. Our policy is, as always, never to show the same work twice. Please be mindful of future opportunities!

  New and traditional media, fine craft, and site-specific installations are all welcome. Although you may not have seen something done at ArtsWorcester before, that doesn’t mean it can’t be done. Our space and staff are flexible, and we look forward to artists pushing the boundaries of our four walls. Contact alice@artsworcester with any questions.
 

Submission requirements and guidelines

• Current ArtsWorcester membership is required for all artists involved in a proposal at the time of submission. If membership fees are a financial obstacle to participation, please write alice@artsworcester.org or ask in the galleries about the Pay It Forward Fund.
• All featured artists must have exhibited in at least one members’ or juried exhibition at ArtsWorcester in the past two calendar years prior to submitting an exhibition proposal.
• There is no geographic restriction on membership or for submitting a proposal, but artists must deliver and pick up all artwork in-person. Artists receiving solo shows must also be available to give an artist talk or equivalent public programming in-person.
• All submissions must be made electronically using Submittable. Hard-copy and email submissions will not be accepted.
• Artists may submit one proposal to each exhibition opportunity; however, artists will not receive both a solo exhibition and a shoebox exhibition in the same year.
• The committee prioritizes proposals from artists who have not had a solo exhibition at ArtsWorcester in the past three years, and proposals of work not exhibited recently in Central Massachusetts.
• Exhibited works must have been completed within the last five years at the time of submission (2020 onward) and not previously shown at ArtsWorcester.
• Artists under final consideration for solo exhibitions may be asked to bring in examples of proposed works for in-person viewing.
• Artists earn 60% on sales made through our galleries. Artwork does not have to be for sale, and your work’s salability will not be considered by the committee.
• While on view through ArtsWorcester, all artwork is insured for its market value.

What we need from you:

• An exhibition proposal, not to exceed 175 words, that describes the scope of your proposed exhibition. 
• Answers, each not to exceed 100 words, to the following questions: What one to three ideas, concepts, or experiences does this body of work communicate? What inspirations or traditions guided or influenced this body of work? How are the methods or techniques used important to this body of work? Does your proposal require any special installation needs?
• A CV or artist resume. Click here for examples of CVs for both gallery-based and public artists.
• 5 .jpg images/videos of works.
• Artists seeking a shoebox may also include 5 detail images or alternate views of three-dimensional work.

CALL FOR PROPOSALS

Solo Exhibitions

ArtsWorcester, Worcester MA

Submission deadline: April 16, 2025

Notifications: early June, 2025

Click here for complete information on the call, including venue floor plans, the exhibition committee, and other helpful links.

ArtsWorcester invites proposals for solo shows for our 2025-2026 gallery season. With the exception of member-curated exhibitions, eligible proposals are evaluated by a panel of seven volunteers, all with extensive experience as curators, educators, collectors, and/or artists. All proposals are viewed anonymously.

Solo exhibitions may be placed in our galleries in the Printers Building, our partner space at the Davis Art Gallery, or recommended for our corporate art program. Multiple exhibitions may be produced in the same gallery space (for example, two solo exhibitions simultaneously in the West Gallery).

New and traditional media, fine craft, and site-specific installations are all welcome. Although you may not have seen something done at ArtsWorcester before, that doesn’t mean it can’t be done. Our space and staff are flexible, and we look forward to artists pushing the boundaries of our four walls. Contact alice@artsworcester with any questions.

As part of this year’s call for solo exhibitions, we seek proposals eligible for the Marlene and David Persky Present Tense Prize, awarded to an artist whose work exemplifies new or innovative practices, conceptual strength, artistic risk-taking, and excellence in execution. In addition to a solo exhibition, the Marlene and David Persky Present Tense Prize winner receives an award of $1,000.

Submission requirements and guidelines

• Current ArtsWorcester membership is required for all artists involved in a proposal at the time of submission. If membership fees are a financial obstacle to participation, please write alice@artsworcester.org or ask in the galleries about the Pay It Forward Fund.
• All featured artists must have exhibited in at least one members’ or juried exhibition at ArtsWorcester in the past two calendar years prior to submitting an exhibition proposal.
• There is no geographic restriction on membership or for submitting a proposal, but artists must deliver and pick up all artwork in-person. Artists receiving solo shows must also be available to give an artist talk or equivalent public programming in-person.
• All submissions must be made electronically using Submittable. Hard-copy and email submissions will not be accepted.
• Artists may submit one proposal to each exhibition opportunity; however, artists will not receive both a solo exhibition and a shoebox exhibition in the same year.
• The committee prioritizes proposals from artists who have not had a solo exhibition at ArtsWorcester in the past three years, and proposals of work not exhibited recently in Central Massachusetts.
• Exhibited works must have been completed within the last five years at the time of submission (2020 onward) and not previously shown at ArtsWorcester.
• Artists under final consideration for solo exhibitions may be asked to bring in examples of proposed works for in-person viewing.
• Artists earn 60% on sales made through our galleries. Artwork does not have to be for sale, and your work’s salability will not be considered by the committee.
• While on view through ArtsWorcester, all artwork is insured for its market value.

What we need from you:

• An exhibition proposal, not to exceed 175 words, that describes the scope of your proposed exhibition. 
• Answers, each not to exceed 100 words, to the following questions: How complete is your proposed exhibition? What one to three ideas, concepts, or experiences does this body of work communicate? What inspirations or traditions guided or influenced this body of work? How are the methods or techniques used important to this body of work? Does your proposal require any special installation needs?
• A CV or artist resume. Click here for examples of CVs for both gallery-based and public artists.
• 5 .jpg images or videos of works.
• Artists seeking a solo exhibition may also include detail images or alternate views of three-dimensional work.