How To Submit Your Art To A Gallery: The Complete Guide

Submitting your work to a gallery for the first time feels like sending a message into the void. You don't know if anyone will see it. You don't know what they're looking for. You don't know if your work is good enough.

This guide breaks down exactly how to submit your art to a gallery, what galleries look for in a submission, and how to give yourself the best chance of being selected.

Understand the different types of submissions

Not all galleries accept submissions in the same way. Here are the main routes.

Open calls

An open call is when a gallery invites artists to submit work for a specific exhibition. Open calls are usually themed or city specific. They're the most accessible way to get into a gallery because anyone can apply regardless of experience or connections.

The Holy Art runs open calls throughout the year for exhibitions in London, New York, Tokyo, Paris, Milan, Athens, Barcelona, Amsterdam and Brighton. All mediums are accepted and there's no submission fee.

Direct submissions

Some galleries accept portfolio submissions directly. This usually means emailing the gallery with a selection of your work, your bio and a short introduction. Response rates are low because most galleries receive hundreds of unsolicited emails.

If you go this route, research the gallery first. Make sure your work fits what they show. A personalised email that shows you know their programme will always perform better than a generic one.

Gallery representation

Traditional gallery representation means a gallery agrees to show, promote and sell your work on an ongoing basis. This is the hardest route to get into and usually requires existing exhibition credits, an established body of work and the right connections.

For most emerging artists, open calls and direct submissions are the realistic starting points.

What galleries look for in a submission

We've reviewed tens of thousands of submissions at The Holy Art. Here's what makes a strong one.

Strong images

This is the most important thing. If your photos are dark, blurry, badly lit or taken at an angle, your work won't get a fair assessment. Even amazing work looks average in a bad photo.

Photograph your work in natural light against a clean background. Shoot straight on. Make sure the colours are accurate. If it's a sculpture or installation, include multiple angles.

Consistency

A submission with three pieces that feel connected is stronger than five pieces that go in different directions. Show the gallery a clear sense of who you are as an artist. They want to know what you'll bring to the show.

Honesty

Don't oversell yourself. If this is your first submission, that's fine. If you don't have an artist statement yet, keep it short and real. A few honest sentences about your work will always beat a paragraph of art world jargon.

Common mistakes to avoid

Submitting too much work

Most open calls ask for 3 to 5 images. Sending 20 won't impress anyone. It suggests you can't edit your own work. Pick your strongest pieces and leave the rest.

Ignoring the brief

If the open call has a theme, respond to it. If it specifies a medium, follow it. If it asks for specific file formats or sizes, match them exactly. Ignoring the brief tells the gallery you didn't read it.

Generic artist statements

"My work explores the intersection of identity and space through a multidisciplinary approach." This tells the gallery nothing. Be specific. What do you actually make? What are you interested in? Why?

Waiting too long

Most open calls have deadlines and spots fill up. Don't wait until the last day to submit. Apply early.

What happens after you submit

Every gallery has a different process. At The Holy Art, our curatorial team reviews every submission individually. We look at the work, not the CV. If your work fits the exhibition, we'll contact you with the details.

If you're not selected, it doesn't mean your work isn't good. It means it didn't fit that particular show. Apply again for the next one.

Where to submit your art right now

The Holy Art runs exhibitions throughout the year across nine cities worldwide. Our open calls are always live. Free to submit. All mediums accepted. Emerging and established artists welcome.

Over 25,000 artists have exhibited with us across London, New York, Tokyo, Paris, Milan, Athens, Barcelona, Amsterdam and Brighton.

Apply at theholyart.com

Tips for your first submission

Photograph your work in natural light against a plain wall.

Pick your three strongest pieces.

Write two to three sentences about what you make and why.

Read the open call details carefully and follow the instructions.

Submit early.

Don't overthink it. Press send.

The Holy Art Gallery. 25,000+ artists exhibited. Nine cities worldwide.