Getting Your Work Out There
Alexandria Sayles | March 4 2016
*This article is written for a publication located in Jackson, Michigan and most information is predominant to that area.*
As artists, we love having our work shared and admired; I mean who wouldn’t? From that perfect shot to post processing, we take hours, even days, completing the perfect composition of our photographs. Most images are uploaded to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or another photo sharing site. Some end up on a personal or business website, but forget about one of the great opportunities out there for artists, galleries. Many of us dismiss submitting our work to galleries, because we think they are only “well established, famous” artists. The truth is, there are exhibitions for every medium and skill; you just have to know where to look.
Living so close to Detroit and its art scene means getting into local shows is possible for everyone. In Jackson alone, both Art 634 and Ella Sharp Museum of Art have open calls for exhibits anytime of the year. If you just want to dip your toes in the water, I recommend renting space at Art 634 for three hours. It only costs $75, and it gives you an idea of what longer gallery exhibits feel like.
Ella Sharp, is free to apply to, but work is not guaranteed to be accepted as an exhibition. Like most galleries, the exhibitions are selected by a committee, and, through a jury, put to a vote for acceptance. Many juries will have the jurors listed before you turn in your application, and it makes it easy to Google their work to see what their personal style is and what appeals to them. While it’s not 100% guaranteed way to get your work accepted, taking the time to research the jurors gives you an idea how they might vote in regards to your work.
Both Ann Arbor and Detroit also have opportunities for artists. In Ann Arbor, the WSG gallery and the Detroit Art Market continuously have annual open calls for artists to exhibit in their galleries. The Detroit Institute of Art, also holds an exhibition once a year for local artists. Contact information for the galleries mentioned above can be found at the end of this blog.
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
One great thing about living in this technology age is the
ability to see what is going on all over the world; it’s the same with exhibition
exploring. Many sites that have combined all open calls for galleries into an
easy to follow search option on their website. I use this option more often
than applying by mail or talking to curators because of my extremely hectic
lifestyle. You may have a different reason for wanting to complete applications
completely online,
no judgment from the peanut gallery over here.
My favorite site to use is Call for Entry or CaFÉ™ (www.callforentry.org). This site allows you to search through opportunities locally, nationally, and internationally; it also lists residencies and public art project opportunities. You have to be a member to apply to calls, but the membership is free and easy to obtain. On their site, you can save your portfolio and have easy access to your submissions when you find a call you want to apply to. Please note, many galleries have application fees when applying, ranging from free to upwards of $75. The fees are non-refundable, so be selective with your submissions.
Below is a list of other websites that display exhibition opportunities:
My favorite site to use is Call for Entry or CaFÉ™ (www.callforentry.org). This site allows you to search through opportunities locally, nationally, and internationally; it also lists residencies and public art project opportunities. You have to be a member to apply to calls, but the membership is free and easy to obtain. On their site, you can save your portfolio and have easy access to your submissions when you find a call you want to apply to. Please note, many galleries have application fees when applying, ranging from free to upwards of $75. The fees are non-refundable, so be selective with your submissions.
Below is a list of other websites that display exhibition opportunities:
WHAT YOU NEED TO APPLY
Many galleries request the same requirements when applying
including:
- A completed exhibition proposal form/application
- Brief biographical paragraph
- Artist’s statement of intent
- Images of work (These can be digital images on a CD or uploaded through a submission website. In most cases, images submitted on a CD should be saved in JPEG format with 300 dpi resolution)
Saving versions of your
biography and artist statement can make applying easier. I also recommend saving
a shortened version of your statement, since many galleries have a length requirement.
Though exhibitions look good on your artist resume and CV, they can get stressful. Don’t overwhelm yourself. Being an artist is about producing work that you love, don’t let anything disrupt that.
CONTACT INFORMATION
ART 634
634 N Mechanic St
Jackson MI, 49201
Gallery 634 at $25 per hour/3 hrs.
Phone: Dave Youngdahl at 517.499.9585
Ella Sharp Museum of Art
3225 Fourth Street
Jackson, MI 49203
Phone: 517.787.2320
Detroit Artist’s Market
4719 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, MI 48201
Phone: 313.832.8540
WSG Gallery
306 S. Main Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Phone: 734.761.2287
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