About Collective Z
Collective Z is a contemporary art gallery and project space located at the intersection of Chinatown, Soho and the Lower East Side. We champion emerging and mid-career artists whose work embraces movement, tension, heat, and transformation — emotionally, culturally, politically, or materially.
Founded by artist and strategist
Alex Z. Wang, Collective Z is committed to transparency, experimentation, and building long-term collaboration with artists.
Art that burns, breathes, erupts, transforms.
Show us your heat.
Overview
Collective Z invites submissions for
In the Heat of Becoming, our inaugural group exhibition opening March 2026 at our new gallery space on Broome Street in New York City.
We are seeking works that carry
heat — emotional, personal, or formal. Artworks that vibrate, simmer, rupture, transform, or hold tension between states: identity, material, feeling, memory, or form.
This exhibition launches a new artist-forward gallery and project space in the Lower East Side — a home for work that refuses to be polite, restrained, or still.
What We’re Looking For
We welcome artists whose practices are alive and evolving — emerging and mid-career, local or international.
Accepted mediums include:
- Painting, drawing & works on paper
- Sculpture & mixed media
- Photography
- Fiber & text-based work
- Digital/new media (must be display-ready)
Work may be subtle or explosive — what matters is intensity, presence, and intention.
Eligibility
- Must be 18+ | please have your guardian email info@collectivez.com if underage
- Individuals and collectives may apply
- Students eligible
- Artists at any career stage encouraged to submit.
What Selected Artists Receive
All selected artists will receive:
- Participation in a curated exhibition at Collective Z (325 Broome Street, NYC)
- Professional installation and gallery presentation
- Exhibition documentation (photography + video highlights where applicable)
- Inclusion on Collective Z’s website and collector outreach
- Press outreach and social media promotion
- Invitation to opening reception & collector preview events
With ongoing consideration for:
- art fairs and satellite projects (costs apply)
- future exhibitions
- guest curation projects
- retail/merch collaborations
Sales & Commission
Works may be offered for sale at the artist’s discretion.
Standard gallery commission is
50% on sold work.
Submission Fee
A $30 submission fee supports gallery operating costs (installation, staffing, programming, marketing).
Fee waivers available—simply email info@collectivez.com.
International artists welcome.
Artist Cost for this Specific Exhibition
No hanging fees or exhibition fees beyond the $30 submission fee. Note that artists are responsible for the shipping / delivery / retrieval of the artworks.
Submission Requirements
You are encouraged to apply early as decisions are made on rolling basis.
Submit:
- Artist name + contact information
- Short bio (150 words max)
- Optional artist statement (150 words max)
- Up to five artworks for consideration (title, year, medium, dimensions, price, availability)
- JPG, JPEG or PNG images (no large TIFFs; detail shots optional)
- Optional CV (PDF)
Partial or incomplete submissions may not be reviewed.
How to Apply
Apply via Jotform:
Link to Application Form
You are encouraged to apply early as decisions are made on rolling basis.
Key Dates
- Submission Deadline: 11:59PM EST, February 16, 2026
- Artwork Delivery (drop-off or shipping) to Gallery: March 8 and 9, 12pm - 7pm, 2026
- Exhibition Dates: March 18 - April 13, 2026
- Opening Reception: March 19, 6-9 PM, 2026
- Additional programming to be announced
Questions?
info@collectivez.com
