ARTS COUNCIL OF WINSTON-SALEM & FORSYTH COUNTY
Main Gallery Exhibition Open Call Call for Artists: 2025 Exhibition Series
Deadline for Submissions: February 15, 2025, 11:59 PM EST
Location: Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts
Main Gallery Address: 251 N Spruce Street Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Website: intothearts.org
Contact Email: gallery@intothearts.org
Overview:
Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County is pleased to announce an open call for artists for its 2025 exhibition series at the Main Gallery. We invite submissions from both emerging and established artists, as well as artist collectives, working in a variety of media based in North Carolina. This is a unique opportunity to present your work in a dynamic gallery space and engage with our vibrant community.
Arts Council is the chief advocate of the arts and cultural sector for Winston-Salem & Forsyth County. Our goal is to serve as a leader in lifting up, creating awareness, and providing support to grow and sustain artistic, cultural, and creative offerings throughout our region. We acknowledge that it takes every voice, every talent, and every story to make our community a great place to live, work, and play. Arts Council is committed to serving as a facilitator, organizer, and promoter of conversations that are authentic, inclusive, and forward-thinking.
Located in the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts (251 N. Spruce Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101), the Main Gallery plays a vital role in advancing this mission. The gallery hosts rotating, curated exhibitions that showcase the work of select local and regional artists. These exhibitions are designed to resonate with the Arts Council’s mission while providing artists with meaningful exposure and opportunities to engage with a broader audience, ultimately fostering interest in and the sale of their artwork.
Expectations:
Arts Council will provide selected exhibitors with a professionally equipped exhibition space, including high-quality lighting, pedestals, and installation materials to facilitate the presentation of their work as envisioned. Additionally, Arts Council will provide marketing support by creating promotional materials such as posters, social media graphics, and a Facebook event page. Efforts will also include issuing a press release, sharing content across its social media platforms (Facebook and Instagram), and featuring the event in recurring e-blasts. Each exhibition will be accompanied by an opening reception, which the Arts Council will host, providing light hors d'oeuvres to enhance the experience.
Exhibitors are expected to present high-quality artwork that adheres to a cohesive theme. All artwork must be exhibition-ready, meaning it should be framed with appropriate hanging hardware, properly cleaned, and securely prepared for display. The exhibitor is responsible for transporting the artwork to and from the gallery. Should shipping be necessary, the exhibitor will bear the cost of shipping and must provide detailed instructions on how the artwork should be packed for return. The exhibitor is also responsible for the handling and installation of the artwork within the exhibition space, unless they provide permission for Arts Council staff to assist.
If selected, the exhibitor will be required to submit a biography, artist statement, photographs of the works to be exhibited, a headshot, and an itemized list of all works to be displayed. This list should include the title of each piece, its sale price (if applicable), the date of creation, the artist's name, and any special installation instructions.
All sales resulting from the exhibition will be subject to a 70/30 split, with 70% of the proceeds (net of taxes) going to the exhibitor and 30% allocated to the Arts Council.
2025-2026 Exhibition Schedule:
Arts Council will host six exhibitions throughout the year. Artists for the January 30 - March 30 Exhibition have already been selected.
January 31 – March 30, 2025
Installation: January 27-30, 2025
Opening reception: Friday, February 7, 2025
Deinstallation: Monday, March 31, 2025
April 4 – June 1, 2025
Installation: April 1-3, 2025
Opening Reception: Friday, April 4, 2025
Deinstallation: Monday, June 2, 2025
June 6 – July 27, 2025
Installation: June 3-5, 2025
Opening Reception: Friday, June 6, 2025
Deinstallation: Monday, July 28, 2025
August 1 – September 28, 2025
Installation: July 29-31, 2025
Opening Reception: Friday, August 1, 2025
Deinstallation: Monday, September 29, 2025
October 3 – November 28, 2025
Installation: September 30 – October 2, 2025
Opening Reception: Friday, October 3, 2025
Deinstallation: Monday, November 17, 2025
November 21, 2025 – January 3, 2026
Installation: November 18-20, 2025
Opening Reception: Friday, November 21, 2025
Deinstallation: Monday, January 5, 2026
Submission Guidelines:
Eligibility: Open to all artists living in North Carolina aged 18 and over. Artists from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Media: All media are welcome, including but not limited to painting, sculpture, photography, installation, video, and performance art.
Artist Groups: Multiple artists or artist collectives can display at the same time.
Submission Materials:
Exhibitor(s) Details
i.e. Name, contact information, address, etc.
A proposal statement
This includes the title of exhibition, name of artists(s) that would be on display, name of organization (if applicable), purpose of exhibition,
Artist statement (250 words max)
CV/Resume (2 pages max)
Images or video links of proposed work (JPEG, PNG, or MP4 format)
Inventory list of proposed artwork
Includes title, date created, material, dimension, artist name, price (if applicable)
Preferred Exhibition date. Provide a first and second-choice
Submission Fee: There is no submission fee for the 2025-2026 exhibition season. A submission fee may be required in following years.
Selection Process:
An internal panel of jurors comprising employees of Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County will review submissions. Selected artists will be notified by March 5, 2025. Criteria for selection include originality, quality of work, and alignment with the mission of the Main Gallery. Artists from the Piedmont-Triad area will be given priority in selection. Artists from Western North Carolina region will receive secondary priority.
Important Dates:
Submission Deadline: February 15, 2025
Notification of Acceptance: March 5, 2025
Exhibition Duration: Each exhibition will run for approximately 6-8 weeks.
How to Apply: Please submit your application materials via Submittable.com
Gallery Details:
The gallery can hold approximately 50 individual pieces of artwork
The gallery has 8 pedestals, three of which have vitrines
There is a TV if digital media is included in the exhibition design
Light position can be adjusted
The gallery is free and open to the public during business hours of the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts
Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts Hours: 9am – 9pm Monday through Friday,
9am – 4pm Saturday, Closed Sunday
For More Information: Contact us at gallery@intothearts.org for any questions regarding the open call. We look forward to your submissions and the opportunity to showcase your work in our gallery!
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