Open Call for March 2025 Solo Exhibition
OPEN CALL FOR March 2025 SOLO EXHIBITION
ARC Gallery is pleased to announce a *fully funded Open Call for three Solo Exhibitions for March 2025.
(* We are offering an opportunity to feature work in the gallery with zero commission on sales, and no costs to the artist. There are no additional stipends for any other purposes such as travel. See FAQs for more info.)
Application Deadline: January 4, 2025
Application Fee: $25
Opening Reception: March 7, 2025
Exhibition Dates: March 6 - 29, 2025
Apply in 2 Easy Steps:
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What is this application for?
This is an opportunity to apply for a solo show at ARC gallery, generously funded by the Athena Fund.
When will selected exhibitions be on view?
Selected artists will have a solo exhibition at ARC’s gallery space (see Athena Exhibition Open Calls for details).
Where is ARC located?
Our physical gallery space is at 1463 West Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL in the heart of West Town arts district. The gallery space is on the ground floor.
How many exhibitions will be selected?
As part of this open call, ARC will divide our gallery space into three parts—each portion considered its own solo show. This is our normal configuration for solo shows in our gallery space. From applications for this call, 6 solo proposals will be finalists. Those artists will be interviewed and 3 will be chosen for exhibition. Runners-up will be listed on our website.
How long will each exhibition be on view?
Exhibitions at ARC’s gallery space are on view for roughly 4 weeks.
What kind of work samples should I submit?
You can submit images, video, sound, or any other media representative of your work.
How many work samples should I submit?
The application will let you submit up to 10 image files and up to 4 links to time-based work (video/audio). Please do not include files that contain collages, multiple images, or compilations of work. They will not be reviewed.
How much money is granted for traval expenses?
Unlike most galleries, ARC offers artists who earn solo shows the ability to sell their work with zero commission. Traditionally a hanging fee is charged to offset gallery costs, but due to a generous donation those fees are waived for the Athena exhibitions.
We are pleased to offer the opportunity to feature work with zero commission and no costs to the artist. There are no additional stipends for any other purposes such as travel. However, as an artist-run gallery, we are pretty creative & will work closely with the 3 selected artists to customize a workable plan.
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What is the purpose of the exhibition proposal?
The proposal should be seen as a starting point to describe your practice, work, and ideas. Awardees should understand that their exhibition proposals may change as they begin planning, learn more about the space, and develop a dialogue with ARC members. The strongest proposals are those that are flexible and have room for growth. Additionally, the proposal should demonstrate that you can plan and execute an exhibition with a clear and cohesive concept, rather than presenting disparate works or a monographic/retrospective show. See below for advice on crafting a strong exhibition proposal.
How do I write a strong, compelling proposal?
Use accessible language, avoiding jargon and buzzwords. If you are referencing artistic, historical or academic ideas, do so in a way that is brief and straightforward.
Clearly describe the show concept and plan when you fill out “what you envision as your exhibition.” This can include your exhibition goals and specific artworks. How will viewers experience the work? Consider the scale and layout of the gallery space. We recommend reviewing dimensions.
The artist statement is used to describe your practice more generally, and is loosely relevant to the work you are showing us. The exhibition statement is a formal description like you would see in marketing materials.
Submit the highest-quality images or video of your work. Images and video should be bright, clear, and as detailed as possible.
Can I propose an exhibition of work that has been shown before?
You are welcome to include work that has already been exhibited in your proposal. However, an exhibition proposal that is a repeat of a show that has been presented elsewhere will not be considered. Work that has shown at ARC previously will also not be eligible.
Can I propose a site-specific piece?
Yes. If you are proposing work that will be completed on site, please include samples of past or completed work that provides context for your proposal. If applicable, include renderings, plans, or concept sketches of your proposed work.
What is an impact statement?
The impact statement, or why you want a solo exhibition with ARC, should address the potential impact of this opportunity for the artist. What would it mean to you to present a solo exhibition at ARC at this point in your career?
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I've had a solo show in ARC recently, am I still eligible to apply?
It depends, no artwork that has ever been shown at ARC will be considered. If you have recently had a show with us, your proposal will only be considered if the artwork is a significant derivation (like a change of medium) from the type of work shown before. Please contact us if you are unsure.
I will be graduating this year. Am I eligible?
Yes. In addition to those who are considered professional artists, this call is also open to students as well as artists without formal education in the arts. Any individual can apply for this solo show open call with the assurance we will be judging the quality of their application on its own strength.
How do I demonstrate that I have maintained a consistent studio practice outside of an academic setting?
In addition to looking at work samples, we look for activity such as exhibitions, residencies, curation, art talks and awards.
Can I submit an application for a curatorial, collaborative, or collective project?
No. This open call is for solo shows by an individual artist only.
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Can I propose painting the gallery walls?
No.
Are there any limitations on what can be presented in the gallery?
While ARC supports experimental and non-conventional work, there are limitations to ARC’s logistical and physical capacity. Here are a few things that would unduly impact daily operations or go beyond the scope of our resources:
The use of live animals, bugs, insects
Inclusion of potentially harmful materials (fumes, gasses, particles, spores)
Elements that require complicated upkeep and maintenance, which the artist will not be present to perform
Excessively loud sound
Work that requires extensive time for installation and deinstallation
Major alterations to the existing architecture of the space
Work which derivates significantly from the proposal without gallery approval
Will the exhibition make use of the entire gallery space?
No. ARC divides gallery space into 3 distinct sections using movable walls. The layout of the space is determined by the work selected for exhibition, but each solo space will have roughly the same dimensions.
How high are the ceilings in the gallery?
The ceiling in the entry space and the main gallery is 11 feet high, to our track lighting, and 1 foot above that to the ceiling. The track lighting system is approximately 10 feet from the floor. The ceiling height on the stage area is 7 feet high.
Each solo show space is about 310sq ft of space.
Can I hang work from the ceiling?
Yes, depending on weight and the level of complexity. The infrastructure can support hanging in specific locations, so hanging plans may need to be adjusted to accommodate. Feel free to include this kind of work in your proposal and we will discuss options with awardees.
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Exhibition and Delivery Requirements
Work must arrive by the exhibition installation date and must be installed by the artist.
A label must be attached to the back/bottom of each work with name, title, medium and price.
Work must be presented in a manner appropriate to the artwork and be equipped for presentation.
Absolutely no Peanuts in shipping boxes.
Work must be able to remain in exhibition through exhibition dates. No work can be removed early.
If work is shipped, use only UPS or FedEX and include a prepaid return shipping label with your package.
No work which was not originally selected by or discussed with ARC will be displayed.
Sales
Works will be for sale unless noted as NFS (not for sale) on the entry form. ARC will act as a liaison for buyer to artist sales of the artists' work during solo shows. Any work sold and paid for via Square will have the small fee deducted from the sale amount.
Insurance
ARC exercises professional care when handling submitted work. We do not assume responsibility or liability including but not limited to accidents, damaged work, or forces of nature. Artists who feel their work is fragile should consider carrying their own personal property insurance. Again, the gallery will not assume liability for damage.
Accepted Work: Shipping and Delivery Return
With the exception of hand-delivered and picked-up work, all work shipped to and from the gallery must be paid ahead-of-time by the artist.
ARC will pack and make ready for return all shipped work and schedule the pickup. However, ARC will not make any payment or delivery of work to be returned.
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Please feel free to contact the gallery via email (info@ARCgallery.org) should you have any questions re: the exhibition, submitting work, or the prospectus. Email messages are checked daily. If you contact the gallery by phone, please call only during hours when the gallery is open.
ARC Gallery and Educational Foundation
Gallery Hours: Open Thurs & Fri - 2-6pm, Sat & Sun - 12-4pm; Closed Mon-Wed.
1463 W. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60642
ARC Gallery is pleased to announce an Open Call for three fully funded Solo Exhibitions in March 2025. This Exhibition Award is made possible by a generous grant from the Athena Foundation in support of making solo show opportunities accessible to a broader audience. Visual artists of all disciplines, ages and geographic locations are encouraged to apply. The artists will be selected by the ARC cooperative based on the quality of their work and commitment to their practice.
Due to the nature of this call, examples of work submitted must be of the actual work to be exhibited, and include a clear plan of display within the gallery space. Work must be completed, available, and ready to display as of the date of submission. The ARC Exhibition Committee will make the final decision on which space the selected proposals will be installed.
Exhibitions for the three selected artists will take place in March 2025. Work will be installed on March 2nd, and the deinstall will occur on March 30th. The Opening Reception will be March 7, 5-8pm. Selected artists will be expected to be present for all three dates, and to work with ARC members to install and deinstall their work. ARC will work with selected artists leading up to the installation and opening of the exhibitions. These exhibitions will be promoted on all ARC social media outlets.
Eligibility
This call is open to non-members, and non-affiliates with the purpose of bringing in innovative new work. All work submitted should have been completed within the last 5 years. ARC will favor artists who have a strong, cohesive body of work, a clearly communicated vision of their show, and a comprehensible and thoughtful artist statement. Artists with incomplete submissions will be automatically eliminated. Artists whose work is deemed excellent, but is not selected, will be added to a roster from which ARC can draw for future opportunities and curated exhibitions.
Deadline for Submission of Applications: Saturday, January 4 at 11:59 pm CST
Application Fee: $25*
1st Round of Finalists Notification: Sunday, January 12, 2025
Solo Show Notification: Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Exhibition Installation Day: Sunday, March 2, 2025
Opening Reception: Friday, March 7, 2025
Pick-Up Work at Gallery: Saturday, March 30, 2025
An alternate list of candidates/runners-up will be posted on our website and considered for future programming at the gallery.
*The application fee helps to support ARC's 2025-26 programming and make opportunities like this possible. If you're experiencing hardship and cannot pay the application fee, please email us at info@arcgallery.org
Opening Reception, Friday, March 7, 5:00-8:00pm
Exhibition dates: March 6 - 29, 2025
Gallery hours: Thurs – Fri 2-6pm, Sat – Sun 12-4 pm
This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.
Submission Instructions
Please note that images of accepted work will become the property of ARC Gallery and may be used for publicity.