Should Artists Apply for Open Art Exhibitions?

There are a number of reasons why you might or might not want to apply for an Open Art Exhibition. In this blog post I am going to try and brake down the Pros and Cons based on my experience. I hope it can help you in some way.

The Pro's?

People interested in your Art Will see your work.
What I can say is that this is helped my artworks to become more recognisable. I noticed when taking my work to exhibitions people will say "I remember your work, I saw it at...." 

You might sell an artwork at the exhibition or after
I remember applying for a open Art call at Salisbury Art Centre in  2022. I submitted 2 ceramic wall sculptures, but only one was selected. I dropped off my wall sculpture at the venue, went to the preview. It was an energetic show with lots of artworks to see. During the show uncertainty and doubt crept in as I did not here any news and thought to myself no one was interested. Then it got to the end of the exhibition. I thought to myself here we go again. However a week or two after the show someone contacted me through my website and said they had saw this ceramic wall sculpture on display and wanted to purchase a similar piece on my website! From this I learned that you never know who might be looking at your artwork.

You can network with people at the preview

• Hand out business cards.
• Talk to potential art collectors show them other examples of your work. Talk to them about why you create your work.
• Share ideas and be inspired by artists, their journey and their work.

Your can evidence the exhibition

• Take pictures of your work in the exhibition. You can put it on your website, social media, place it in email newsletters to send you your contacts. Let people know what is going on and invite people who are interested!
• Yes you can put it on your CV! This could be helpful for future curators or collectors who might like to see what you have been up to.

You Might Win a Prize!

• Some Open Art Exhibitions offer prizes. This can be money, art supplies or residences.  

The Con's

Some Open Art Exhibitions Cost Money to Enter
Applications can come with a fee. As an artist based in the UK on average I spend about £5-22 per application and that is usually just to submit one sculpture or painting. 

Shipping/ Travel/ Packing Costs

• You might need to pay for packaging for your artwork to transport it safely.
• If you apply for an Open Art Exhibition outside of your home country you will need to pay for shipping. Depending on the size and weight of the artwork and were it it shipping to, prices can add up. Not to mention there may be customs charges you might need to pay!
• If the exhibition is in your own country you will need to think if you will send it by post or travel in person to deliver the work.

Its like playing the Lottery
Open Art exhibitions can receive hundreds if not thousands of applications from artist submissions. This is especially true if the Art Exhibition is a global call out! For example the organisers might only select 100 artists out of 1000 artist applications.  That is only 10% of all submissions and imagine if there is more submissions! the odds of being selected can really stack up!


Should You Apply for an Open Art Exhibition? 

​I think its a good idea to think what works for you.

There are artists out there who don't apply for open art competitions. Thats great, you can get your work seen in other ways. You could hire out public space to show your art, place your work in other spaces like coffee shops, libraries, restaurants or other places you think might get your work seen by the rite people.

There are artists like myself who do apply.
I remember when I first stated my art journey I was applying for so many, lets just say it was getting expensive! What I learned was to be more selective about the Open Art Exhibition I was applying for. I started looking at who the judges were and looking at what what style of work they like. That way if I applied I could submit work in line with their potential taste.

Now I am more selective about the Open Art Exhibitions I do apply for. I don't apply to as many as I used to as now I enjoy being more creative in how I get my work seen by creating my own opportunities. However if I find an Open Art Exhibition that interests me I will apply. For me the biggest takeaway from showcasing my work in Open Art Exhibitions has been the opportunity to have my work seen in real life and become more recognised and meet people.

At the end I think us artists are carving out our own paths and seeing what works for us. If you don't try, you don't know.

Were Can I Find Open Art Exhibition Opportunities? 
If you are an artist based in the UK here are some links to useful resources to find opportunities.

• ArtQuest
• CuratorSpace
• AN
• ArtRabbit​

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Watch the Video  "How to Prepare for an Open Call Art Exhibition" 

If you found this Blog post helpful you are welcome to watch this Video I created bellow:  "How to Prepare for an Open Call Art Exhibition" 

​Its a video I made a wile back were I talk about: Should You Apply? Where to Find the Opportunity? Which one Should I Apply For? Who Can Apply? Application & Fees? What if I am Selected?

Hopefully it can give you more info.

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I hope you found this information useful.
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Welcome to visit this blog again.
I will be keeping this Blog up to date with new (Information About My Art and Artist Resources).

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