Submit a proposal to showcase your sculptures, ceramics, fiber, multi-media, digital, video, neon or 2D art in one of Quad City Arts’ two unique galleries. Join 1-2 fellow artists for a two-month exhibition between Oct. 2025 – Sept. 2026. All media will be considered, and cohesive bodies of work are highly desired. Exhibited work will also be featured in our online sales gallery: https://www.shopquadcityarts.com/ Must live within 250 miles of Rock Island, IL to qualify. (most of Iowa, Illinois, parts of WI and MO.)

Quad City Arts’ Rock Island Gallery occupies a 1908 department store space near the banks of the Mississippi River. Features include original wood floors, a 14' high, tin ceiling, and a wall of windows that face the Mississippi River. The exhibition gallery has 1500 sq. feet of space and 106 running feet of wall space. This gallery is ideal for large work, both 2D and 3D, cutting edge or experimental work, very small work that requires close-up viewing, installation work, performance art, nudes, and everything in between. Artists are celebrated with a free public reception.

Art at the Airport Gallery is situated next to the arrival/departure seating area in the Quad Cities International Airport, Moline, IL. It boasts 1,600 sq. feet of exhibition space inside 4’ deep cases enclosed by 7’ tall, locked glass panels. Numerous electrical outlets and controlled lighting make this an ideal space for works incorporating neon or video. It can accommodate works up to 7’ tall and sculptures 4’ wide. Over 2 million visitors pass through this space annually. Due to the highly public nature of the space, no nudity nor controversial works will be displayed. Currently, no public receptions for the artists are held.

Entry fee: $10 Deadline: Jan. 20, 2025. Notification: Feb. 28, 2025

Application Requirements

Submit 6 high quality images of original artwork created by you in the last 3 years and not previously shown at Quad City Arts to represent the body of work proposed.

Write a brief proposal that states the overall theme, idea, or inspiration behind your work. Indicate the size range and quantity of pieces you plan to exhibit.

2 person & group proposals will be accepted.  To propose a show with up to 6 artists, one artist fills out the application stating that they are proposing a two-person or group show. Describe how the work of the proposed artists relates to each other and how many pieces each artist proposes to show. Divide the sample portion of the application among the applicants so that each person submits the same number of art samples. The form is set up so that 3 people can each submit 2 samples or 6 artists can submit 1 image each.

Eligibility Criteria

This is a regional competition open to all artists over the age of 18, residing within 250 miles of Rock Island, Illinois. (which is most of IL, IA, parts of WI and MO.)  

Only original works of art not previously shown in a Quad City Arts Gallery and created within the last three years can be exhibited.