Calls For Art

Explore our list of Calls for Art, where artists are invited to submit their work for selection and showcasing. Opportunities are organized in chronological order, and we update this list regularly to keep you informed.

If you know of any calls for art, we encourage you to share them with us through our RAC Opportunities & Resources for Artists Submission Form:

Central Rock Gym Holiday Market

Deadline: Ongoing - Event takes place Dec 5th

CALLING ALL LOCAL ARTISTS!

Jacinth here from Central Rock Gym in Rochester. We’re excited to announce our Holiday Market on December 5th from 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM and are looking for local artists to showcase their work! This market will coincide with our popular Boulders and Brews event, creating a festive atmosphere with beverages and live holiday music. Boulders and Brews nights draw some of our largest crowds, making this an ideal opportunity to introduce your business to the vibrant climbing community.

Event Details:

Date: December 5th

Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Location: Central Rock Gym Rochester

Cost: $15 per spot (all proceeds go towards covering event costs)

We know the holiday season is a busy time, so we truly appreciate your consideration in participating. For questions or to secure your spot, please reach out to:

Jacinth McGranahan (they/them)

Desk Supervisor, Central Rock Gym Rochester

Email: jacinth@centralrockgym.com

We look forward to a festive evening of art, music, and community!

THAWW II: A Call For Art About the Gray Daze of Winter

Deadline: Feb 26, 2025

Live here long enough and you learn that at a certain point in the winter the sky will go gray. The temperature gets low. Night and day begin to feel the same. The mood changes.  Living becomes quieter. The cold isolates, and the snow becomes a blank canvas. It’s that time again.  When we turn in. We hibernate. We create while we wait for the THAWW. THAWW is an annual exhibition that celebrates the things we make while we rest.  This is a call for works in any medium that speak on the above theme.  The goal of The Yards Art Collective and Hungwell Art Services is to usher in spring again by putting up and putting away the winter.  Learn more

Timberhouse

Deadline: Ongoing

We are not your average house concert. Not even close. And here’s why: 

It doesn’t matter if you’re a full-on acoustic guitar-banjo-fiddle-upright-bass Roots/Americana band, or a stripped down, gritty solo guitar-and-harmonica Blues or Folk powerhouse, we offer musicians something that no other venue like ours can - Timberhousepitality.

  • Comfortable, acoustically-rich space and quality, in-house sound and mixing equipment—inspired by Levon Helm’s Midnight Rambles.

  • A home-cooked dinner before the show, lot’s of laughs, and a place to crash for some shut-eye before hitting the road in the morning (after breakfast, of course).

  • World-class photographers that chronicle each show—all edited video and images of which we make available to you, at no charge, for promotional purposes. Check out our video links to see just what we’re talking about.

  • Plus, an audience full of music-lovers that have paid to come listen to every note you play and lyric you sing.

So, whether you’re on tour or booking individual shows, we hope you’ll consider swinging through our neck of the woods. We invite you to be in touch about getting a night at the Timber House on the calendar. Learn more

The Walls at Capacity Worldwide

Deadline: Ongoing

Display your art on one of our wall spaces for a month! Each Artist will receive a 5ft wide 6ft high space inside at Capacity. All work will be hung professionally by Matt Vanderlee/Hungwell Art Services. Comes with scheduled viewing hours and Opening and Closing events, as well as online and Instagram promotion. $125 for 28 days of wall space. We take 0% commissions, you receive 100% of any sales. Learn more


Locals Only

Deadline: Ongoing

Local Artists Wanted! 🎨

We’re seeking new talent to feature at Locals Only. Email your work to localsonly@delighted.group. Learn more


2024 Gallery Exhibits at Cobblestone Arts Center

Deadline: Ongoing

The Cobblestone Arts Center, located in Farmington is proud to host 4-5 artists each year in our on-site art gallery. Our goal is to showcase the talent and creativity of local artists and provide a platform for you to share your work with a broader audience.

For each exhibition, we organize an opening reception, which is a wonderful opportunity for artists to connect with art enthusiasts, fellow creators, and the local community. The opening reception takes place on the Thursday evening of the first month of the exhibit, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. We offer wine and an array of delectable "tiny bites" to enhance the experience for our guests.

We are committed to supporting local artists and providing an engaging environment for your artwork to shine. If you are interested in having your work featured in one of our 2024 gallery exhibits, please get in touch, and send any links or social accounts you have that showcase your work.

Our continuing goal for the next year is to make 2024 a year filled with art, culture, and creativity at the Cobblestone Arts Center.

Feel free to send this to anyone who is interested, or if you have any questions, get in touch! Details are below. :)

Lyndsey Drooby

Marketing Manager/Art Gallery Manager

Cobblestone Arts Center

e: lyndsey.cobblestonearts@gmail.com |ph: 585-337-8021

the rochester book of (h)ours by @delyrastudio

Deadline: Ongoing 

Hello!! I’ve been planning a book/zine project for a bit but I want to open it up for submissions. For a long time I’ve been really interested in historical “books of hours,” or personal prayer books that were commissioned in the medieval ages that functioned as utilitarian objects, as well as sometimes personal portraits that documented parts of the owner’s life.

I’m very interested in this conceptually, but not from a religious perspective- rather from the perspective of like, a personalized farmers almanac, or a scout’s guide with a spiritual bent. What grounds me, personally, is not faith in a higher power but faith in a better future. Instead of psalms and prayers I would love to create a how-to book for a better future.

So of course if a better future is only possible together, I’m more excited by the idea of this being a group project. If you have anything you want to contribute - a skill to share, or art that makes you feel inspired to create something new and better beyond capitalism - just let me know! I am trying to keep this a bit site-specific to the Rochester/WNY area in service to the community it’ll exist in, but we’ll see. Learn more


Flower City Arts Center

Deadline: Ongoing

Throughout the year we accept exhibition proposals in all three of our program areas. Please send an email, including the required information below, to the appropriate program contact below. Thank you for your interest in exhibiting at Flower City Arts Center. Due to the volume of submissions we receive each year we will only be contacting those artists we are interested in exhibiting. Your proposal will stay on file for one year.

  • A detailed description of the show

  • 15 - 20 images of current work

  • A list of materials, sizes, and price points

  • A CV or resume an artists statement

Megan Magee Sullivan, Printmaking & Book Arts Director

Email: msullivan@flowercityarts.org

Phone: 585-244-1730

Kate Whorton, Ceramics Director

Email: kwhorton@flowercityarts.org

Phone: 585-271-5183

Juliana Muniz, Photography & Digital Arts Director

Email: jmuniz@flowercityarts.org

Phone: 585-271-5920 Learn More


Behind The Glass Gallery

Deadline: Ongoing

Hello Rochester! 

Are you an underrepresented artist in the Rochester Area? (Photography, creative writing, visual arts, etc) Fill out the form HERE

What is an Underrepresented Artist you ask? 

Your exhibition experience is limited (less than three) or have never been part of a gallery or show, and or have a minimal online presence pertaining to your medium. 

Please note that a form submission does not guarantee a spot inside the gallery. Learn More

COMP Studios

Deadline: Ongoing

Artists: Do you need temporary studio space to complete a project and engage the public?

C.O.M.P. Studios provides artists with free, temporary space to advance their practice and engage the public. This initiative expands RoCo's work to support artists and build the ecosystem for contemporary art in Downtown Rochester. Selected artists will be given free studio space for 1 or 2 month engagements, culminating in public open studio hours on First Friday. We are especially interested in supporting artists who:

-Are in need of studio space and don't already have a place to work.

-Will actively and frequently use the space to advance and hopefully complete a project.

-Will install artworks and prepare a public open studio event from 6-9pm on First Friday, and possibly one other event per month. 

Apply here: https://form.jotform.com/231725867209059 


Flower Power Magazine

Deadline: Ongoing

Interested in submitting a piece of writing, story idea, photo or work of art to Flower Power Magazine? Click the link below! Learn More


CaFÉ 

CaFÉ strives to make art opportunities available to all by offering arts organizations an affordable submission platform and artists an easy way to apply.  Learn Moreh ttps://www.callforentry.org/

Lovin Cup

Deadline: Ongoing

ATTENTION ROCHESTER ARTISTS: Lovin Cup wants to feature you and your work! Apply to be hosted for a month at this beautiful venue. Contact: benjaminjsheridan@gmail.com


Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County

Deadline: Ongoing

The Central Library’s Arts & Literature Division has ongoing displays of the work of local artists in two display cases in the historic Rundel Memorial Library Building.  Works needs to be family-friendly and ready to hang. Ideally a 3 month commitment, but negotiable. To be considered for an exhibit, please fill out an application using the link below, or call Mary Fraser 585-428-8148 for more information. Learn More


Exhibit at the Link Gallery at the Rochester Public Library

Deadline: Ongoing

The Link Gallery is in the Link connecting the two library buildings. We encourage you to take a self-guided tour of the spaces before applying so that you are familiar with size limitations. Your exhibit will be viewed by people of all ages. Diversity is encouraged; however, the subject matter must adhere to The Central Library’s Mission and policies. The Central Library accepts applications from individuals and organizations. Learn more


Roc Artists Open Market

Deadline: Ongoing

Roc Artists Open Market provides artists, creatives, makers, designers, quality craftspeople with a consistently promoted weekly eventful artisan one-of-a-kind marketplace consisting of 25 marketplace event opportunities running from April to late October. Located at Innovation Square, alongside Rochester's Neighborhood of Play and Manhattan Square Park, this weekly Saturday artisan marketplace offers music, culture, arts, and food in an atmosphere of creativity, learning, and community. If accepted, booth spaces are $65. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and spots are limited (the sooner you apply, the sooner you get in!) Learn more


Main Street Arts

Deadline: Ongoing

Main Street Arts is always interested in seeing your work. We are looking for submissions from artists located in upstate New York working in all media as we plan for upcoming invitational exhibitions. When submitting, please keep in mind that submissions are reviewed twice annually. Deadlines for submission are June 30 and December 31. All artists who have submitted their work will hear back within one month of the deadline date. *Please note there may be interest in your work without a specific exhibition at the time of the deadline. Learn more


Main Street Arts - The Stairwell Gallery

Deadline: Ongoing

Submit your work for consideration to the newest gallery space at Main Street Arts! The Stairwell Gallery will feature small solo exhibitions by artists from our region. Please note, this opportunity is available for artists ages 18+ residing in New York State, with a focus on the regions of central NY, western NY, and Finger Lakes regions. There is no fee to submit your work. Learn more


Axom Gallery

Deadline: Ongoing

Axom Gallery and Exhibition Space reviews artists proposals on an ongoing basis. We accept submissions for two and three dimensional works, new media and installation. All submissions are reviewed for possible solo exhibitions and group exhibitions. If you do not receive your proposal materials back within three months of your submission it is because we would like to keep the submission on file for future reference. Materials will only be returned at this point if specified in submission with self-addressed stamped envelope. Please note that we are not responsible for any materials that are sent to us. AXOM also accepts submissions by email via info@axomgallery.com. Learn more


Picter.com

Deadline: Ongoing

Browse a variety of photography opportunities worldwide, including contests, calls for art, grants and more. Learn more


EntryThingy

Deadline: Ongoing

View calls for art from around the country. You can view them as a list or as a map. Learn more


Life Framer

Deadline: Ongoing

View widespread contests and calls for art. Those selected will have their work exhibited worldwide. Fees to apply.  Learn more


Zapplication

Deadline: Various

Zapplication is a GREAT tool to use for applying to art fairs, markets and festivals. They provide a platform where you can add a profile that includes your artist portfolio, booth pictures, resume, etc so you can quickly apply to calls. They also update their website weekly and send out reminders via email!


Creatively

Deadline: Various

Creatively is a great resource for when you’re looking for a creative job. Such as but not limited to, Graphic designer, illustrator, animator, filmographer, Creative Director, etc.

RAC Opportunities & Resources for Artists Submission Form

We continually aim to keep our resource list up-to-date. If you have a resource that should be included in our list, please submit it through the following link:


Disclaimer:

The resources listed on this page are provided for informational purposes. The Rochester Artist Collaborative (RAC) does not explicitly endorse, recommend, or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of the information contained within these resources. Use of these resources is at your own discretion. RAC is not liable for any harm or damages related to the purchase or use of goods, services, or resources accessed through any third-party websites listed here.

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