Short Description

ARC Gallery is pleased to announce a *fully funded Open Call for three Solo Exhibitions for August 2025. This specific call is for emerging artists. A.R.C. defines “emerging” in regard to this call, as an artist who has not yet had a solo exhibition in a major US city, such as our hometown of Chicago. 

Eligibility

The Athena Fund Open Calls are open to non-members, and non-affiliates with the purpose of bringing in innovative new work. This specific call is for emerging artists. A.R.C. defines “emerging” in regard to this call, as an artist who has not yet had a solo exhibition in a major US city, such as our hometown of Chicago. All work submitted should have been completed within the last 5 years. A.R.C. will favor artists who have a strong, cohesive body of work, a clearly communicated vision of their show, and a well-written and thoughtful artist statement. Artists with incomplete submissions will be automatically eliminated. Artists whose work is deemed excellent, but is not selected, may be added to a roster from which A.R.C. can draw for future opportunities and curated exhibitions.

Submission Requirements

  • Select 10 images you will submit.
  • Images must be submitted in JPG /JPEG format
  • If there is video work, include a still image of the video and the video clip of 2 minutes maximum
  • Videos must be submitted in MP4 / MOV format
  • Upload your images. They will go to a Dropbox file for review.
  • Once you are finished uploading files to Dropbox, close your Dropbox browser window. Then return to ARC’s website. 
  • Complete your personal information and address (be sure to enter your country or it won’t go forward)
  • Provide your proposal in the following sections
  • Artist Statement. Provide a recent artist’s statement of no more than 125 words that is relevant to the work being submitted. (This is not a bio.)
  • CV. Copy and paste your professional CV demonstrating at least 4 years of serious pursuit of a career in art. No more 2 pages.
  • Describe your exhibition. What do you envision as your solo exhibition? Limit to 200 words.
  • Exhibition Title.
  • Exhibition Statement. Provide a formal description of your exhibition as you would describe the concept for promotional materials.
  • Explain why you are seeking a solo exhibition at ARC and what this opportunity will mean to you, in 200 words.
  • References. Please provide the name, position/title, and email address of two professional references who can speak to your artwork. These references will not be contacted unless you are selected for an interview.
  • Confirm you uploaded your images to Dropbox by tapping “I uploaded my images”
  • Enter a label for your images.  Each should include: (a) item number; (b) title, (c) dimensions: height x width x depth, (d) mediums / materials, (e) date produced, and (f) price. Make sure you itemize your list to correlate to the #s on the images you submitted.

How to Apply

Online Application

Program Benefits & Awards

We are offering an opportunity to feature work in the gallery with zero commission on sales, and no cost to the artist. There are no additional stipends for any other purposes such as travel

Entry Fee

$25

Location

Chicago

Timeline

  • Application Deadline: 14 June 2025

Website Link: https://www.arcgallery.org/calls-for-entry-archive/open-call-august-2025

Exhibition