What Is An Open Call For Artists? Meaning, Process And How To Apply

What Is An Open Call For Artists? Meaning, Process And How To Apply

If you have seen the phrase "open call for artists" or "call for artists" and wondered exactly what it means, this page gives you the complete answer: the definition, how the process works from submission to exhibition, what it costs, and where to apply right now.

Open call for artists: definition

An open call for artists is a public invitation from a gallery, museum, festival or arts organisation for artists to submit their work for consideration in an exhibition or project. "Open" means anyone can apply: there is no requirement for gallery representation, prior exhibitions, formal education or industry connections. Selection is made from the submissions received, based on the work itself.

The terms "open call," "call for artists," "call for entries" and "call for submissions" all describe the same mechanism. When a gallery announces an open call, it is saying: show us your work, and if it fits, we will exhibit it.

Why open calls exist

The traditional gallery system represents a very small number of artists, selected largely through networks, education and existing reputation. Everyone else, which is the vast majority of working artists, has no route in.

Open calls were created to fix that. They shift the selection from who you know to what you make. Galleries like Streeters Gallery and The Holy Art built their entire model on this idea: The Holy Art alone has exhibited over 25,000 artists across nine cities since 2020, most of them selected directly from open call submissions, many with no previous exhibitions at all.

How an open call for artists works, step by step

Step one: the announcement. The gallery publishes the open call with the exhibition details: city, dates, formats available and how to submit. For example, Streeters Gallery currently has open calls live for London (November 6 to 8, 2026), New York in Tribeca (November 20 to 23, 2026) and Paris, plus its Times Square big screen showcase and London billboard displays.

Step two: the submission. The artist submits images of their work along with basic details and a short description. At reputable open calls, this costs nothing. Both Streeters Gallery and The Holy Art are free to submit.

Step three: the review. The gallery's team reviews submissions and selects work that fits the exhibition. At a genuine open call, not everyone is accepted; selection is what separates a curated open call from a vanity operation that takes anyone who pays.

Step four: confirmation and fees. Selected artists receive confirmation and, if they choose to proceed, pay an exhibition fee that covers wall space or screen display, venue, installation, promotion and the opening event. At Streeters, physical exhibition is £120 for one work or £200 for two, and digital exhibition runs from £45.

Step five: the exhibition. The artist delivers or ships the work (or uploads it, for digital formats), the gallery installs and promotes the show, and the exhibition opens. Streeters shows run as weekend exhibitions with a Friday opening night and public days after.

Step six: sales and collection. If a collector wants to buy, the gallery connects them with the artist. At both Streeters and The Holy Art, commission is zero: the artist keeps 100 percent of any sale. After the show, work is collected or return shipped.

What an open call costs

At fair open calls, submission is free and only selected artists pay an exhibition fee. Be cautious of calls that charge just to look at your work, or that charge a fee and then also take 30 to 50 percent commission on sales.

For reference, current Streeters Gallery pricing: physical exhibition £120 for one work, £200 for two; digital exhibition £45 for one work, £85 for two, £115 for three. Zero commission on all sales.

Who can apply to an open call

Anyone. Emerging artists with no exhibitions, self taught artists, students, hobbyists turning serious, established artists reaching new cities. All mediums are accepted at Streeters and The Holy Art: painting, photography, digital art, illustration, sculpture, printmaking, mixed media and textile.

Artists apply from anywhere in the world. Physical work can be shipped to the venue, and digital exhibition formats let artists participate in London, Paris or New York without shipping anything at all.

Open call vs competition vs residency

An open call leads to an exhibition of selected work. An art competition usually leads to prizes and rankings, often with per entry fees. A residency provides time and space to create, sometimes ending in a show. For artists whose goal is getting work exhibited and seen by collectors, the open call is the direct route.

Frequently asked questions

What does open call mean in art? It means a gallery or organisation is publicly inviting any artist to submit work for consideration, with selection based on the submissions rather than connections or credentials.

Is an open call free? Reputable open calls are free to submit. Streeters Gallery and The Holy Art both charge nothing to apply; exhibition fees apply only to selected artists who choose to proceed.

Do I need experience to apply to an open call? No. Open calls exist precisely so artists without exhibition histories can be selected on the strength of their work.

How do I find open calls for artists? Follow galleries directly, join mailing lists, and check gallery open call pages. Streeters Gallery and The Holy Art both have open calls live year round, with The Holy Art running rolling submissions across nine cities.

What happens if I am selected? You receive confirmation with the exhibition details, pay the stated exhibition fee if you choose to proceed, deliver or upload your work, and your piece is installed, promoted and shown.

Can I sell my work through an open call exhibition? Yes. At Streeters and The Holy Art, interested buyers are connected directly with the artist, and the artist keeps 100 percent of the sale.

Apply to an open call today

Now that you know exactly what an open call for artists is, the next step is simple.

Streeters Gallery: open calls live for London, New York, Paris, Times Square and the London billboards. Free to apply, all mediums, zero commission.

The Holy Art: rolling open call across nine cities worldwide, free to submit, over 25,000 artists exhibited.

The definition is simple. The application is simpler. Go.