Guidelines and Requirements for Gallery Exhibits

• Unless otherwise noted, calls for art are open to Michigan artists, ages 18 and older.

• Entry fees are non-refundable and help pay for the administration, advertising, and other expenses incurred by I’m An Artist Community Studio in Grand Rapids, MI.

• Please be ready with your 1-3 photographs and descriptions before entering this call for art as you will have a fee requested for each separate admission.  

• There will be no refunds or adjustments made for separate admissions.

• Please be sure that your artwork is available for the duration of the exhibit.

Your payment of the entry fee does not guarantee you a place in the exhibit.

 

Work

• A maximum of 3 original works may be entered, unless otherwise specified for a particular exhibit.

• Physical Exhibitions: Completed works may not exceed 50 inches in any one direction, including the frame. 

• Work must be original in concept and design and created by the artist.

• Work that has been misrepresented from the original submission form will be denied entry to the exhibit.

• Work that is not presented in a professional manner to the exhibit will not be accepted.

 

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Delivery

• All artwork delivered to the gallery must have the following information affixed to the non-viewing side of artwork:

  • Artist Name

  • Address, phone number and email

  • Title of the work, medium and price. Be specific with medium descriptions (e.g., oil on hardboard or canvas, not oil; chromogenic print or archival inkjet print, not photography or digital print; oil pastel on paper, not pastel; etc.)

• Work must arrive on scheduled dates.

• Work must arrive ready to be exhibited

• Paintings must be dry.

• Work must be presented in a professional manner (please see Guidelines for specifics)

• Work not in compliance will not be exhibited. No exceptions.

 

Installation of Artwork

Solo/Small Group Exhibitions: Artists are encouraged to work with the staff to install their exhibition as part of the professional development process. IAACS has final say on presentation. Once a work is selected for exhibition, the artist may not remove it unless unusual circumstances require an exception.

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Presentation Guidelines:

IAACS strives to provide a professional exhibition space and asks artists to present their artwork professionally as well. The work must conform to the following standards unless otherwise stated for a particular exhibition. Artwork will not be installed if improperly presented or misrepresented.

• Two-dimensional work must be suitably framed and under glass or Plexiglas when appropriate

• Artwork that is intentionally unframed, such as stretched canvas, must have well-finished painted edges. Edges cannot be taped. Mats, if used, must be well cut and clean.

• All prints, including photographic prints should be signed and numbered. (This is optional but HIGHLY recommended.)

• Printmakers can submit a limited edition print (signed and numbered, optional but recommended)

• All work must be equipped for safe installation; gallery personnel will determine safety.

• Works considered as being too fragile for handling by gallery personnel will not be accepted.

• All wall art must be equipped with a secure wire hanging system. IAACS does not supply framing, hardware, or wire.

• Coordination with the IAACS is required for installation work.

• Artwork or display materials to be directly affixed to the wall must have gallery approval and the artist must provide their own hardware.

• Works requiring electrical outlets or other special considerations should consult with the gallery prior to application.

• IAACS has limited numbers of display materials for 3-D work; please discuss with the gallery prior to application.

 

When two or three-dimensional work is unusually heavy or difficult to handle, timely assistance may be required of the artist. Prior notice is required for any three-dimensional works exceeding 50 pounds, and two-dimensional work exceeding 20 pounds to ensure the gallery floor or wall can bear weight load. Three-dimensional work must fit through a standard single door.

 

Pickup and Storage

• When the exhibit ends, unless specified otherwise, you may pick up your work no earlier than 10am on the closing day of the exhibit.

• You must pick up your work within the stated time frame for each specific exhibit, or notify the gallery if you will be late.

• Unless previous arrangements have been made, work left in storage longer than 30 days shall become IAACS property and may be disposed of, donated or used for fundraising purposes.

 

For Sale

Any accepted work must be FOR SALE. The work will be sold, as displayed, through I’m An Artist Community Studio with a commission to IAACS. 

All accepted works, for each show, may remain on exhibit throughout the duration of that show. Works sold during the exhibit may be taken away at the time of sale. The sale price includes the frame, please price your work accordingly.

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Commission

I’m An Artist Community Studio will retain 40% commission of all artwork sold during the exhibit

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Liability

All work will be handled with all possible care, but pieces submitted for exhibition are at the artist’s risk. In the event of damage or theft, I’m An Artist Community Studio will not be held liable. If insurance is desired, the artist must carry it.
 

Good faith:

In implementation of this Contract, all parties (IAACS, participant, client, or agents thereof) undertake to observe the utmost good faith and they warrant in their dealings with each other that they will neither do anything nor refrain from doing anything that might prejudice or detract from the copyrights, assets or interests of each party. 

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By submitting this form after you have been accepted, you agree to the guidelines and requirements for gallery exhibits at I'm An Artist Community Studio.  

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Examples of Accepted Work

​PAINTINGS: Watercolor, acrylic, oil, pastels, mixed media, gouache, casein, tempera

SCULPTURE: 3D object created with materials such as metal, wood, clay, stone, bronze, or glass. Sculptures with a base must be firmly attached to the base.
DRAWINGS: The creation of an image or mark through the use of materials such as graphite, ink, or charcoal.
COLLAGE: The work contains materials from newspapers and magazines, as well as found objects and paint that are then adhered to a flat surface. 

PRINTMAKING: Made through a technique resulting in a lithograph, etching, engraving, woodcut, screen-print.

CERAMICS: Pottery/works made from clay. Delicately constructed work requiring more than normal careful handling is not eligible.
TEXTILES: batik, felted wool, fiber and-made and/or hand-decorated items are eligible.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Color or black and white. Traditional presentations must be framed and covered with glass or Plexiglas. Non-traditional presentations must also be framed, but not necessarily covered with glass or Plexiglas.
GLASS: Fused glass, mosaic, and stained-glass.
BOOKS: Original works.
NEW MEDIA: The work is the creation of an original or the manipulation of an image through digital techniques and software. 

INSTALLATION: The work is made of 2D or 3D objects arranged in a specific manner.
WRITINGS: A poem, flash fiction, or another short literary work, prepared for hanging on a wall.