Call Description

CALL FOR ARTWORKS: SOLO EXHIBITIONS AT CSU SPUR

CSU Spur invites artists of all backgrounds and experience levels to submit proposals for solo exhibitions celebrating the intersection of community, sustainability and innovation. We seek compelling works that explore ideas of environmental stewardship, scientific curiosity and the power of local storytelling through art. Exhibition proposals around themes of food, water and health are encouraged.  

Submissions will be received on a rolling basis and reviewed quarterly. Exhibition proposals are for the years 2026-2027. This call will close on Nov. 1, 2026. If your proposal is selected to move forward, you will be contacted by a CSU Spur staff member. 

ABOUT CSU SPUR

CSU Spur is a public-facing campus dedicated to education, sustainability and community engagement. Through this exhibition, we aim to foster dialogue between artists, scientists and the public to inspire meaningful connections around our shared environment. 

DATES TO REMEMBER 

• Application Deadline: Submissions will be received on a rolling basis for the years 2026-2027. This call will close on Nov. 1, 2026.
• Application Review: Applications will be reviewed on a quarterly basis by the CSU Spur Campus Activation Manager starting in November 2025.
• Artists Notified: If selected to move forward, a CSU Spur staff member will contact you to set up an initial meeting. Timelines and gallery availability will be discussed then.
• Exhibition Dates: This round of proposals is for the years 2026-2027. Exact exhibition dates will be determined in collaboration with CSU Spur staff.
• Location: CSU Spur Campus, Denver.

CONTACT

For questions, please contact Lauren Bína at lauren.bina@colostate.edu. We look forward to showcasing your creative vision at CSU Spur! 

Application Requirements

Submit the following materials.  

• High-quality images of submitted artwork. You may submit up to 10 images. Choose images that best capture the body of work in your proposal. The images submitted must be part of the proposed exhibition.
• Artwork details (title, medium, dimensions, year created).
• Artist statement (max. 250 words). This should be a general statement of your work as a whole and what inspires you as an artist.
• Artist bio (max. 250 words).
• Exhibition Proposal (max. 500 words). The proposal should include:
  • How the exhibition connects to the themes of CSU Spur.
  • How the exhibition will enhance the visitor experience for our guests.
  • Scope of the proposed exhibition, including the number of pieces, scale, and amount of space needed.
• Contact information (name, email, phone, website/social media if applicable).
• Resume or CV (File should be no larger than 2mb, and txt, pdf, doc, docx, xls, xlsx, or jpg format only.)

Eligibility Criteria

• Open to artists working in any medium, including but not limited to painting, sculpture, photography, digital art, fiber arts and mixed media.
• Artworks will be in a public space. Staff presence is not guaranteed in the exhibition space, and you must be okay with your artwork being left unattended.
• Artworks should align with the building themes of food, water, health and/or sustainability. Artwork exploring the intersection of science and art will also be considered.
• Artworks must be ready to be hung on a wall. Framed artworks require security hardware. If your artwork arrives without security hardware, it will be added for you.
• If selected, works must be dropped off in person to CSU Spur in Denver. If prior arrangements are made, artwork may be shipped to and from CSU Spur. Upon arrival at CSU Spur, artwork must be ready to be displayed (unmounted works on paper will not be accepted).
• All works must be original and created within the past five years.
• Both emerging and established artists are encouraged to apply.
• Residents of the 80216-zip code are encouraged to apply.
• CSU Spur will provide promotional materials and may choose to host an opening reception featuring artist talks and interactive programming.