16th Annual Lottery for the Arts!

Blue Line Arts invites artists to participate in our 16th annual “Lottery for the Arts” fundraiser—an unforgettable evening where every ticket holder takes home a unique artwork generously provided by artists like you! This event raises critical funds directly supporting our arts education programs for children, including free field trips for local underserved schools, youth mural projects, summer camps, scholarships and more. By donating your artwork, you help students of all ages experience the transformative power of art, often for the very first time. 

There is no theme requirement for submissions. We are requesting submissions of an original artwork or a limited-edition archival print valued of at least $350. 

This is a free opportunity to submit your work with the understanding that if it is selected by the juror, it will be a 100% donation to Blue Line Arts. 

Guest Juror: Pat Kemeny Macias, Director & Curator at the Museum of Northern California Art

Artist Benefits:

1. The opportunity to be chosen for a Solo Exhibition at Blue Line Arts in 2025 or 2026.
2. A Spotlight in our Artist Directory for one year: All the artists juried into Lottery for the Arts will be featured in our new & exclusive artist directory, connecting you with art buyers, collectors, and the Blue Line Arts community. This directory will be public facing on the Blue Line Arts website for the duration of 2025.  Providing each artist with increased visibility and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for your brand.
3. Award Opportunities:
   1. Juror’s Selections: First, Second, and Third Place, chosen by our respected guest juror are all offered solo shows at Blue Line Arts in the coming year.
   2. First Pick Award ($100)
   3. Board Choice Award ($100)
4. Online Gallery & Event: Accepted pieces will appear on the Blue Line Arts’ website for an online preview prior to the fundraiser. Leading up to the event, select pieces will be featured in Blue Line Arts e-blasts (11+ subscribers) and social media posts (5k+ followers) on Blue Line Arts’ channels.
5. Preview Night: A special reception for participating artists and invited guests prior to the fundraiser will take place on Friday, February 28th from 5-7pm at Blue Line Arts. Awards for first, second, and third place, as well as the Board's Choice Award will be announced that evening. The First Pick Award goes to the artwork chosen first during the Lottery for the Arts fundraiser on March 15th, 2025.
6. QR Code: Blue Line Arts will be including a scannable qr code with each artwork label directing to the artist's choice of website link.

How does the Lottery work?

The Lottery for the Arts is a unique fundraising event that offers art collectors the chance to acquire original artworks while supporting a nonprofit organization and its community of artists. Each year, Blue Line Arts accepts original art donations from artists or collectors, which are exhibited at the gallery in the weeks leading up to the event.

On the night of the Lottery, ticket holders gather for an exciting experience as tickets are drawn at random. As each ticket is called, the ticket holder selects a piece from the gallery wall. By the end of the evening, every ticket holder will have taken home a one-of-a-kind artwork.

This is a free opportunity for artists to submit their work, with the understanding that selected pieces will be 100% donations to Blue Line Arts. We encourage artists to participate with the knowledge that due to the nature of the Lottery, we may receive more artwork than there are ticket holders. Rest assured that every juror-selected piece will be part of the lottery event, guaranteeing that each ticket holder leaves with a unique artwork.

After the lottery, any remaining artwork will be available for bidding by guests at the event. Following the event, any unsold pieces will be featured in a silent auction, which will remain open for an additional week to provide even more exposure.

If your artwork is still unclaimed after the silent auction closes, we will contact you to discuss the next step options. You may choose to leave the artwork with Blue Line Arts as a tax-deductible donation, which also saves on return shipping costs. Should you prefer the artwork to be returned, we are happy to arrange shipping at your expense.

Important Dates 

Artwork will be on display in the Gallery: March 1st - March 14th, 2025

Application Deadline: January 17th, 2025

Artist Notification: January 31st, 2025

Shipping deadline of work to Blue Line Arts: February 15th, 2025

Hand deliver work to Blue Line Arts: February 23rd & 24th from 10am-3pm

Preview Night: Friday, February 28th from 5-7pm

Lottery Event Date: Saturday, March 15th, 2025 from 5-9pm

Questions:

If you have questions about submissions, please contact Blue Line Arts staff during gallery hours at (916) 783-4117 or at gallery@bluelinearts.org

Application Requirements

• Any work donated becomes the property of Blue Line Arts for use during the fundraiser. The artist agrees there is no commission agreement for the donation. 
• Accepted artwork that differs significantly from the image in the online submission may be disqualified
• The artist is responsible to pay for any shipping expenses to get the artwork to the gallery
• Two-dimensional artwork must be ready to hang with a wire must be installed. No sawtooth hangers, please.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility

• Open to all artists 18 and older
• All artwork must be 100% donated to Blue Line Arts. No accepted entry may be withdrawn or sold outside of the exhibition prior to the closing date.

FAQ

Q: Is my donation Tax-Deductible?

A: Yes! We are a registered 501c3 and your donation is tax deductible. However, if you are an artist donating original art, you may only deduct the cost of the materials and supplies used in the creation of the donated work. Please consult your tax professional if you have further questions about art donations. We are not tax professionals.

Q: Are there any size restrictions?

A: Artwork must be able to enter through the doors with a clearance of 94” h x 91” w. Ceilings in the gallery are 10 feet tall. We do have the capacity to feature installation artworks. Please note there is no heavy machinery present on site.

Q: Can I submit multiple pieces?

A: Yes! You may submit up to 3 works to be selected by the juror. 

Q: What rights do I retain for my artwork after submission?

A: You, the artist, retain the right to reproduce your own artwork as you would like in any way. 

Q: Will I be able to attend the event as a participating artist?

A: All participating artists are invited to attend the “Preview Night” for free, and will have the chance to purchase their own Lottery Ticket before the public if they would like to participate and take home a work for themselves.

Q: What if my art isn't chosen during the lottery?

A: After the lottery, any remaining artwork will be available for bidding by guests at the event. Following the event, any unsold pieces will be featured in a silent auction, which will remain open for an additional week to provide even more exposure and sale opportunities.

If your artwork is still unsold after the silent auction, we will contact you to discuss next steps. You may choose to leave the artwork with Blue Line Arts as a tax-deductible donation, which also saves on return shipping costs. Should you prefer the artwork to be returned, we are happy to arrange shipping at your expense.