Call Description

Artist Alliance members are invited to submit their artwork to be considered for a new public critique session at Oceanside Museum of Art (OMA). This in-depth and constructive critique is aimed at full time professional artists, or artists hoping to launch a career as a full-time artist. Artists are invited to submit 3-5 works for consideration along with their professional portfolio website or social media account. 

Ultimately 10 artists, one artwork per artist, will be selected for the critique by three leaders in the contemporary art field, jurors to be announced. These three jurors will also run the in-person session. 

Not sure about submitting, but still want to be part of the fun?

Register here to attend. Art lovers and artists curious about the process of a professional critique are encouraged to attend the session for free as observers. The critique will be followed by a moderated audience Q&A session. Audience members will learn just as much from the feedback given by the professional jurors as those who were selected for the critique. Artists selected for the critique will receive special registration information after selections are announced.

In addition to this Juried Critique, artists may also be interested in participating in the four free Artist Alliance Quarterly Critiques in 2026 February 17, May 26, August 25, and November 17. 

SUBMISSION FEE: $10 to submit minimum three (3) entries, maxiumum ten (5) entries

Scholarships are available, please contact katie@oma-online.org if you would like to be considered for a scholarship.

Thank you for being a part of OMA. Your submission fees (less CAfÉ listing fees) and membership dues go toward supporting the museum’s exhibitions and educational programming.

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TIMELINE:

• Deadline to submit: Monday, March 9, 2026, 11:59PM Pacific Standard Time (PST) 
• Notifications of selected artworks: On or before Friday, March 27, 2026
• Critique session at OMA: Tuesday, April 28, 2026 6:00–9:00pm
  • Selected artists must be able to attend the event

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All technical submission issues will be handled by CaFÉ technical support. Contact them here. 

Find answers to most common technical questions on the Help page. 

CaFÉ is an all-in-one artist submission platform designed for the arts field that is not owned by or affiliated with Oceanside Museum of Art.

Contact katie@oma-online.org with questions about this artwork submission opportunity after carefully reading the prospectus in full.

Application Requirements

Parameters

• Artwork may be in any media or style - 3D, 2D, or video
• A maximum of ten artists will be selected
• A maximum of one artwork per artist will be selected
• All work chosen MUST be presented ready for display – e.g. canvases should be stretched and photos or drawings should be framed
• Artist statement required
• Portfolio website or social media required
• CV required

Size

• No larger than 96" in any direction. The artist must be able to transport the artwork to the museum the night of the critique
• Standard presentation easels will be used to present 2-dimensional artworks
• Pedestals and platforms are available for 3-dimensional artworks
• Artwork cannot be installed the night of the event - materials must be able to self support, or a rigid backing must be brought with the artwork. OMA may be able to provide a backing. Please reach out if you have any questions.

Eligibility Criteria

Artists must be a current OMA member with the Artist Alliance affiliate membership add-on. Artists who are not members of the OMA with the Artist Alliance add-on but are interested in participating in this exhibition must become members of OMA at any level and add Artist Alliance before submitting artwork for consideration.

OMA Artist Alliance can be joined by one of the following methods: 

• Online: Visit oma-online.org/membership. Choose any level of membership and then add Artist Alliance
• By phone: Call the OMA membership center at (760) 435-3724
• In person: Visit Oceanside Museum of Art at 704 Pier View Way, Oceanside CA (please check www.oma-online.org for public hours)

All active OMA Artist Alliance members are eligible to submit to the open call, irrespective of any affiliation with the museum. This includes OMA staff, volunteers, and board members. Please note that Museum staff and members of the board are not eligible to receive awards, if and when awards are a part of the submission opportunity (awards are not offered for the Juried Critique).