Call Description

The Ann Arbor Art Center (A2AC) announces an OPEN CALL for artist submissions to Sharing Space, the inaugural exhibition of the A2AC Gallery 2022 Season.  Over the last two years, the meaning and feeling of “space” has dramatically shifted for many of us.  Whether at home or in public, we have developed new ways to engage with each other, our lived environments, and our own physical (and virtual) presence.  Sharing Space invites us to reflect on themes of intimacy, distance, connection, and comfort: How do we think about space and place in times of isolation or transition?  How do we make space(s) for ourselves and others?  Finally, how can art making and creative expression help us to reimagine our shared spaces and craft more inclusive social environments?

The exhibition (May 19 - July 8, 2022) will coincide with the grand opening of the Art Center’s new 1200 sq. ft. street-level gallery and renovated studio spaces, located in the heart of downtown Ann Arbor.

• Sharing Space will be the first of a series of exhibitions that will play a central role in the Art Center’s mission to develop the A2AC Gallery into a shared space for collaboration, encounter, and expression.
• During the exhibition, the Center will partner with artists to organize related programming designed to invite audience participation, engage local communities, and inspire conversation.
• Visits to the exhibition will also be featured in the A2AC Gala, an annual event which brings together philanthropists, patrons of the arts, and individuals dedicated to supporting the local arts ecosystem.
• Honorarium:  Accepted artists will be offered an honorarium of $100 to help defray the costs of production and shipping/transportation.  The A2AC aims to foster inclusive exhibition opportunities; we will work with accepted artists to locate additional financial support where necessary.

Timeline:

• Submission deadline: April 3, 2022
• Notification of acceptance:  April 11-15, 2022 (by email)
• Delivery date: No later than Sat., May 7, 2022 (during gallery hours)
• Opening: May 19, 2022
• Closing: July 8, 2022
• Opening Reception: Friday, May 27, 2022, 6-9pm
• Programming Events: TBD
• Pick up date: July 11-13, 2022 (during gallery hours)

Contact:

For more information please contact Ashley Miller, A2AC Gallery Director, by email: amiller@annarborartcenter.org.

Address:

The Ann Arbor Art Center

117 W. Liberty St.

Ann Arbor, MI 48104

734-926-4128

About the Ann Arbor Art Center:

The A2AC is a non-profit community organization that welcomes and engages visitors with exciting art experiences through our exhibitions, classes, public art programs, and shop.  Visit us at annarborartcenter.org or on social media @a2artcenter to learn more.

Application Requirements

Instructions for Submission:

Entry fee: $25 (Collected fees will support artist honoraria described above and free community programming during the exhibition.)

Please upload all of the following materials:

• Up to 5 digital images of the work(s) to be considered for exhibition (jpeg files). Note: One submission per artist/artist collaboration will be considered (although single entries may include up to 5 proposed works).  If submitting multiple artworks, please indicate if they should be considered separately or as a series to be exhibited together.  Also note if you would like to propose your artwork for the A2AC Window Gallery (see details in "Eligibility").
• Approx. dimensions of the work (and weight if shipping) and any special requirements for installation.
• Artist bio
• Work Statement (explanation of work and how it relates to the proposed exhibition theme, no more than 1 page)
• Optional: Description of how your project invites audience participation or entails community conversation and engagement

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility and Selection:

Works in any medium will be considered. Works must be created in the last 2 years.

Practitioners from any visual arts discipline (studio art, design, architecture, urban planning, etc.) are encouraged to submit.

Individual artists and artist collaborations are welcome.

Open to local, regional, and national artists 18 years old and up.

In addition to selecting works for a curated group exhibition in the A2AC Gallery, we also invite proposals for a single work/installation to be exhibited in our street-facing A2AC Window Gallery.  Accessible to the public 24/7, this micro gallery is ideal for dynamic, site-specific installations.  It consists of a large window space measuring approximately 72″ x 72″ x 12″ located near the corner of Ashley and Liberty streets in downtown Ann Arbor.  Please indicate in your proposal if you would like your artwork to be considered for this space.

Works will be selected and curated by A2AC Gallery Director, Ashley Miller, in conversation with the Art Center’s Exhibition Committee, composed of A2AC staff, artists, curators, designers, and art professionals.  Selection will take into consideration relevance to the broader exhibition theme, as well as the potential for submissions to work in conversation with each other.

PLEASE READ THE TERMS & CONDITIONS FOR FULL DETAILS ON PARTICIPATION (see "Legal Agreement")