The Durham Arts Council issues an annual call to 2-D visual artists to select work for exhibit in its Allenton and Semans Galleries. The DAC is also searching for artists who create large 2-D works to exhibit in the pre-function corridor of the Durham Convention Center in downtown Durham. Screening panels change annually and consist of art professionals from the area. Exhibits selected through this Call for Artists will take place between July 2022 and July 2023. Selected artists will generally receive one entire gallery for a solo exhibition. Artists from all geographic locations are eligible to apply, however artists are responsible for transporting their work to the DAC and installing it. Work must be dropped off - SHIPPING IS NOT PERMITTED. Durham Arts Council’s Artist Services Department coordinates and promotes exhibition receptions in our historic downtown Durham facility, produces and distributes media promotion, and creates wall labels and text panels for the galleries.

ABOUT THE DAC
The Durham Arts Council (DAC) is a private, non-profit 501 (c) 3 local arts agency committed to supporting local and regional arts organizations and artists working in all media. The DAC manages and programs the historic Durham Arts Council building in downtown Durham, North Carolina, provides year round classes, exhibits and artist residencies, produces several large-scale art events each year, runs an Annual Arts Fund, and provides grants and technical assistance to artists and arts groups. DAC seeks to engage the visual arts audience and enhance their understanding and appreciation of your work by including information about the artist and the artist's creative process in our exhibit program. Exhibiting artists will be asked to submit an artist statement to accompany the exhibit as well as (optional) short narratives for each piece that can help the viewer connect with the work. DAC holds a reception for each exhibit that, when possible, will include an artist led interactive activity that allows guests to have a direct experience with technique, creative process or subject matter related to the exhibited work. DAC will ask exhibiting artists to assist with conceiving and, if appropriate, leading the activity during the reception.

ABOUT THE DAC GALLERIES & EXHIBIT PROGRAM
The Durham Arts Council building is a 52,000 sq. ft. community arts center in downtown Durham that contains 4 galleries, 2 theaters, rehearsal studios, classrooms, meeting spaces and the offices of ten local arts organizations. DAC programs the Allenton and Semans Galleries. Annually, the building serves 350,000+ visitors. The Galleries have high traffic and are also used as event spaces. Exhibits in Allenton and Semans Galleries generally do not run longer than 8 weeks.

Submitted images must represent the work the artist wishes to exhibit. Ninety percent (90%) of exhibited work must be for sale. The Durham Arts Council will handle artwork sales on behalf of the artist. DAC's commission is thirty percent (30%) for any sold works. Although DAC does not endorse restrictions on artistic content, in making programming decisions the agency will consider the fact that all the users of the building must pass through the gallery space as they enter.

ALLENTON GALLERY
Main floor gallery area. Halogen lighting. 11 foot ceilings. Approximately 42 running feet of hanging space.

SEMANS GALLERY
Second floor gallery space outside the Peoples Security Insurance Theatre. Halogen lighting. 11 foot ceilings. Approximately 78 running feet of hanging space.

DURHAM CONVENTION CENTER PRE-FUNCTION CORRIDOR
Main floor event space in the Durham Convention Center, connected to the downtown Durham Marriott Hotel. The pre-function corridor is 296' long and 18' wide, with 14' ceilings. The main corridor has 10 light fixtures that define the exhibit areas with accompanying hanging hardware for one piece per fixture. The scale of the walls makes this appropriate for large 2-D work (up to 6' x 6', possibly larger). The Convention Center space also includes one smaller corridor that is appropriate for up to 2 medium-sized works. Exhibits in the Convention Center run for six months.
 

Application Requirements

1. Submit Artist Statement: Artist Statement should explain the body of work submitted, and may include artist's thoughts on an appropriate interactive activity to engage viewers with the work.

2. Submit Resume: Resume should include arts-related background (previous training, exhibitions, awards, etc.)

3. Submit 5-10 Images (ONLY): Each image should be formatted according to CaFE guidelines

4. Submit Image Script: Image identification list must include image number, year work was executed, title, dimensions, and medium. Only 2-dimensional works that can be hung on the gallery walls will be considered because our galleries also serve as main entries to the building and special event and reception spaces.

Eligibility Criteria

This Call for Entry is for solo shows only.

The DAC will entertain proposals for exhibits other than solo shows (for example; a show that includes the work of several artists, a show based on a theme, a group or association show).

The DAC has a separate Proposal for Special Exhibits application that is available for download at our website.

Please fill out, print, and mail the proposal with a set of images and a check for the $15.00 application fee to: Durham Arts Council Attn: Susan Tierney, 120 Morris Street, Durham, NC 27701. The deadline for submitting special proposals is the same as for solo shows.