PrintAustin is excited to announce the open call for its 12th annual juried international exhibition, The Contemporary Print. Presented in collaboration with The Art Galleries at Austin Community College, this year’s exhibition will be juried by Laurel Gerber, Park Family Assistant Curator of Prints and Drawings, Philadelphia Museum of Art. 

The Contemporary Print is a survey of traditional printmaking techniques and innovative approaches in contemporary printmaking. While non-traditional or digital output is accepted as a print element, submissions must utilize traditional print media as their primary technique. These include lithography, relief, intaglio, silkscreen, photopolymer plate (i.e. SolarPlates), and monotype. Solely digital and photographic prints are not eligible. For questions regarding eligible media, please contact info@printaustin.org.

Prizes:
Best is Show receives $500 in cash and a podcast interview by Hello, Print Friend (English or Spanish)
Runners up (2) receive a podcast by either Platemark or Studio Noize. 

Please visit printaustin.org or email info@printaustin.org for more information.

EXHIBITION DATES:  January 21 - March 20, 2025
MEET THE JUROR & MEMBERS PREVIEW: TBD
OPENING RECEPTION:  TBD
VENUE: The Art Galleries (TAG) at Austin Community College, 6101 Highland Campus Dr. Austin, TX

ABOUT PRINTAUSTIN  
PrintAustin is an artist-led nonprofit organization working with organizations and individuals throughout the Austin visual arts community to showcase traditional and contemporary approaches in printmaking during its annual festival, held January 15 through February 15. Visit printaustin.org to learn more about our open calls, and other exhibition and collaboration opportunities. You may also find us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

ABOUT The Art Galleries (TAG) at ACC
As an educational space, The Art Galleries (TAG) at Austin Community College prioritizes the following goals: 

• Provide educational spaces that cultivate creativity, critical thinking and intellectual discourse, which complement the program curriculum of the ACC Art Department and other disciplines.
• Maintain a welcoming environment in the galleries that promotes diversity, inclusion, and cultural awareness in our communities.
• Recognize the historical inequities in our society, and in the arts, by providing platforms for underrepresented and emerging artists in Central Texas.
• Present the outstanding artistic achievements of ACC students, faculty, staff, and alumni through impactful exhibitions and programming.
• Partner with local organizations and ACC programs to create meaningful outreach programs and access to the galleries.
• Deliver public programming and events designed to bring our communities to the galleries for their own close interaction with works of art.
• Create a space where different perspectives can become a forum for ideas and artistic imagination can thrive and grow.

Learn more at TAG

ABOUT THE JUROR  
Laurel Garber is the Park Family Assistant Curator of Prints and Drawings at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. A specialist in nineteenth-century French graphic art, she earned a PhD from Northwestern University and MA from the Courtauld Institute of Art. Laurel’s recent projects at the PMA include Emma Amos: Color Odyssey (2021), Mary Cassatt at Work (2024), and Wanda Gág: Art for Life’s Sake (forthcoming 2025). Prior to joining her department in Philadelphia, Laurel held curatorial fellowships and positions at the J. Paul Getty Museum, Art Institute of Chicago, and the Clark Art Institute.

ELIGIBILITY 
Open to local, national, and international artists 18 years or older. Any 2-D or 3-D work including ceramics, sculpture, mixed media, and artist books that uses printmaking as the sole or primary technique in its execution are eligible. Unless an installation, work cannot exceed 72 inches (183 cm) in any direction. Artists may enter multiple images/detail images for entries consisting of installations or 3-D works by sending attachments to info@printaustin.org.

Works that have exhibited in past The Contemporary Print exhibitions are not eligible to be considered for this year’s exhibition. Artists that were accepted into our 2024 The Contemporary Print are also ineligible--please join us in 2026! We appreciate your cooperation in helping us provide a fresh and current survey of printmaking today.

IMPORTANT DATES

AUG 12     Call opens!
OCT 1        Registration Deadline! 11:59 PM (MT)
OCT           Jury begins selection
NOV 15      Email notifications sent
DEC 9         Artwork due

Refer to direct correspondence from PrintAustin for updated info. Hand-delivery arranged upon request only. 
JAN 21 - MAR 20, 2025  Exhibition dates. 

COMMISSIONS & FEES
We encourage artwork sales. For the Austin exhibit, artist receives 70% commission, while PrintAustin retains a 30% commission. Commissions on sales will help support PrintAustin's programming. 

SALES & COPYRIGHTS  
Your entry grants PrintAustin and ACC permission to use artist statements, artist biography, and image(s) of your work in catalogs, websites, and any marketing or public relations materials. PrintAustin will provide image credit with information you provide on your application.

FEES AND DISCOUNTS
PrintAustin Members: $10 entry fee, includes 3 submissions. Each additional submission will have a fee of $10. Visit printaustin.org/membership to become a member. Be sure to register using the same name as your membership or your entry will be automatically deleted on the date the call closes.

Fee for non-members: $35 entry fee, includes 3 submissions. Each additional submission will have a fee of $10. We understand that tough economic times have affected artists disproportionately. If you are unable to pay the application fee, please contact us at info@printaustin.org as we have a limited number of comped entries for this reason. For those able to pay and help support our organization, the entry fee is due at the time of submission.

FILE FORMAT: JPEG (“Quality” set to Maximum).  Audio and video files may be submitted if essential to represent the work (i.e. time-based works, etc.). MP3 files may be submitted for audio. MP4 files may be submitted for video. All submissions must include at least one JPEG.

File Name: First Name_Last Name_Image # (e.g.: Albrecht_Durer_1.jpg.)

CATALOG: Once selected, artists will be required to submit hi-res images of their work along with an artist statement. 

FRAMING REQUIREMENTS  Once accepted, all work must be presented professionally as a cohesive group show. For this purpose, we require the following:
o    Prints should be professionally matted/floated and framed, and be installation ready
o    No sawtooth hangers
o    Plexiglass only
o    White or off-white mats
o    International artists have the option to ship prints rolled or flat, and unframed (to be hung with a magnet system provided by PrintAustin).
Exceptions to above requirements include only works larger than 40 inches, 3-D works, and artist books.

For any special installation requirements, artist must provide a visual and detailed instructions included in the packaging or via email. We strongly encourage artists to contact info@printaustin.org to discuss special installation prior to shipping.

To ensure the quality of the exhibition, PrintAustin reserves the right to exclude any entry that presents complex hanging/exhibition problems or is not professionally framed.

PrintAustin may also reject any work that is not accurately represented in the digital file. The decision is final.

NOTIFICATIONS
Email notifications will be sent to all artists by November 15, 2024.

SHIPPING AND INSURANCE
o    Selected artists will receive a shipping stipend, courtesy of PrintAustin. Stipend amount minimum will be $50, exact amount TBD.
o    Artists are responsible for return shipping, and must include a prepaid return label. Your work will not be installed without it. What we suggest doing is creating an account with Fed Ex or UPS so your return shipping can be from Austin or from Santa Fe. The bar code should allow for the amount to be deducted regardless of where it's being shipped from. **IMPORTANT: While selected artists will receive a shipping stipend, artists are responsible for arranging shipping. You MUST include an easily located prepaid return shipping label with artwork. If you do not, your work will not be included in exhibit.
o    Shipped work must be packaged in a reusable carton, box, or crate.
o    NO PACKING PEANUTS.
o    PrintAustin will insure all works while in the gallery.
o    Artists are responsible for any damage or loss during transit.
o    Shipped works must be delivered to PrintAustin in January (see direct email from PrintAustin)
o    Hand-delivery arranged upon request ONLY.

An artist statement and a high resolution jpeg of selected work will be required and requested once accepted for catalogue and promotional media use. Loan agreement will be provided by PrintAustin and Form & Concept, if applicable, and will be emailed with your acceptance. Signed agreement must accompany the artwork when shipping.

Shipping address will be provided upon acceptance. 
 

Application Requirements

The Contemporary Print is a survey of traditional printmaking techniques and innovative approaches in contemporary printmaking. While non-traditional or digital output is accepted as a print element, submissions must utilize traditional print media as their primary technique. These include lithography, relief, intaglio, silkscreen, photo polymer plate (i.e. SolarPlates), and monotype.

Solely digital and photographic prints are not eligible. For questions regarding eligible media, please contact info@printaustin.org.

Eligibility Criteria

ELIGIBILITY Open to local, national, and international artists 18 years or older. Any 2-D or 3-D work including ceramics, sculpture, mixed media, and artist books that uses printmaking as the sole or primary technique in its execution are eligible. Unless an installation, work cannot exceed 72 inches (183 cm) in any direction. Artists may enter multiple images/detail images for entries consisting of installations or 3-D works by sending attachments to info@printaustin.org.