What is an Open Call?
Open Calls are submission requests. For an artist or curator to compose a concept that meets their artistic brief for an exhibition, magazine, solo show, or competition.
There are thousands of Open Calls made every week and a fair number do not require any submission fees!
How is this useful?
As an artist, engagement opportunities can represent a significant amount of your potential success.
The more people who are aware of you as an artist and understand the style and themes of your work, the more positive outcomes you are likely to have. Appearing in a magazine or exhibition increases your odds of future collaboration, with other artists, art institutions, curators, and collectors.
It is also rewarding to have an attentive audience for your artwork and encouragement from your peers may benefit your ability to stay creating.
Where can I find more information about current Open Calls?
Information about Open Calls are available on a variety of websites.
Always be wary of Open Calls that require submission fees or request you create a paid account to gain access to up-to-date information. Whilst some legitimate parties do charge for submissions, it is not necessary (or recommended!) to spend money just to participate in competitions.
We advocate submitting your work to organizations that value your creative effort as sufficient payment. Similarly, spending a lot of time thinking about where your work would do best isn’t necessarily beneficial.
If you would like quick access to information you can submit a request for information about current free entry Open Calls by filling out an inquiry form!