ArtsWorcester engages artists and the public to advance and celebrate contemporary art. Through exhibitions and workshops, we advance the careers of contemporary artists in all traditions and mediums, and cultivate excellence through competitive opportunities and prizes. Our exhibiting artists include those just beginning their practice, those with established reputations, and those in between. Public openings, artist talks, events, outreach, and education grow the audiences for art in our region. All are welcome.
ArtsWorcester membership is required to submit work and exhibit through our galleries. Membership is open to all, and is free to students enrolled in Assumption University, Clark University, the College of the Holy Cross, and Worcester State University
CALL FOR PROPOSALS
Solo Exhibitions
ArtsWorcester, Worcester MA
Submission deadline: March 30, 2023
Notifications: early June, 2023
ArtsWorcester invites proposals for solo shows for our 2023-2024 gallery season and corporate art program. 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 in 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 Present Tense Prize, awarded to an artist whose work exemplifies new practices, artistic risk-taking, and excellence in execution. In addition to a solo exhibition, the Present Tense Prize winner receives an award of $1,000.
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 past 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 one solo exhibition proposal.
- 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.
- Proposals must be original, and must not have been submitted to any prior exhibition calls at ArtsWorcester.
- Artists receiving solo exhibitions are required to give an artist talk or equivalent public programming online or in-person as public health permits.
- 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. Artists exhibiting through our corporate art program also receive loan fees for their artwork. Artwork does not have to be for sale.
- 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 of works (video and performance artists should include 5 thirty-second .mp4 clips).
- Artists seeking a solo exhibition may also include detail images or alternate views of three-dimensional work.
CALL FOR PROPOSALS
Artist Shoeboxes
ArtsWorcester, Worcester MA
Submission deadline: March 30, 2022
Notifications: early June, 2022
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 2023-2024 gallery season and corporate art program. 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 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 past 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 one solo exhibition proposal.
- 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.
- Proposals must be original, and must not have been submitted to any prior exhibition calls at ArtsWorcester.
- Artists receiving solo exhibitions are required to give an artist talk or equivalent public programming online or in-person as public health permits.
- 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. Artists exhibiting through our corporate art program also receive loan fees for their artwork. Artwork does not have to be for sale.
- 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 of works (video and performance artists should include 5 thirty-second .mp4 clips).
- Artists seeking a shoebox may also include detail images or alternate views of three-dimensional work.
CALL FOR PROPOSALS
Member-Curated exhibitions
ArtsWorcester, Worcester MA
Rolling submission deadline
Notifications: beginning early June, 4-6 weeks after submission
ArtsWorcester invites proposals for our 2023-24 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.
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.
- Proposals must be original, and must not have been submitted to any prior exhibition calls 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