How to Get Your Art Into Exhibitions: A Step-by-Step Guide for Artists

You've found an exhibition that looks perfect for your work. Now comes the harder part: getting accepted.

Juried exhibitions can receive dozens—or hundreds—of submissions. A strong body of work is essential, but the way you select, photograph, describe, and submit that work can also influence how professionally your application is perceived.

Whether you're applying to your first juried exhibition or have been exhibiting for years, a thoughtful submission strategy can improve your chances.

1. Read the Entire Call for Artists

It sounds obvious, but this is one of the most important steps.

Before choosing your artwork, read the complete prospectus.

Pay particular attention to eligibility, theme, size restrictions, accepted media, submission fees, number of entries allowed, sales commission, delivery requirements, installation requirements, deadlines, and pickup dates.

If the exhibition specifies a theme, don't assume the juror will make the connection between your artwork and that theme.

Your work should clearly satisfy the call.

2. Submit Your Strongest Work—Not Necessarily Your Newest

Artists are naturally excited about their newest work, but new doesn't always mean strongest.

Look at your potential submissions objectively.

Which pieces demonstrate the strongest composition, execution, originality, and artistic voice?

If you're submitting several works, consider how they relate to one another. A cohesive group can give a juror a clearer understanding of your artistic direction.

3. Understand the Difference Between a Good Artwork and a Good Submission

A strong artwork can be weakened by a poor submission photograph.

In many juried exhibitions, jurors initially see only the digital image. Your photograph effectively becomes your artwork during the first stage of jurying.

That makes image quality extremely important.

Photograph two-dimensional work straight-on with even lighting. Crop out walls, frames, furniture, and other distractions unless the application specifically requests an installation view.

Make sure colors are accurate and the image is sharp.

For sculpture and three-dimensional work, use a simple background and provide additional views when the application permits them.

Avoid excessive image manipulation. The submitted photograph should accurately represent the artwork the exhibition will receive.

4. Follow the Image Specifications

If the application requests JPEG files at a particular size or resolution, submit exactly that.

Don't assume larger is always better.

Online application systems may resize or compress images, and incorrectly formatted files can sometimes display poorly.

Check your images before submitting and make sure filenames, dimensions, and file formats follow the instructions.

5. Write a Clear Artist Statement

An artist statement should help the reader understand your work without explaining every detail.

Avoid unnecessarily complicated language. You don't need to make your art sound more intellectual by making your statement difficult to understand.

Explain what drives the work, the ideas or questions you explore, and—when relevant—the significance of your materials or process.

Most importantly, write in your own voice.

6. Pay Attention to Artwork Information

Before submitting, double-check every entry.

Confirm the:

• Artist name

• Artwork title

• Medium

• Dimensions

• Year created

• Price

• Photograph

• Availability

Make sure the information is consistent with your inventory records.

Nothing creates unnecessary confusion faster than submitting one title and arriving at the exhibition with artwork labeled differently.

7. Price Your Work Consistently

Your pricing should be reasonably consistent across galleries, exhibitions, your website, and direct sales.

If a painting is listed for $2,000 in a gallery, offering the same piece for $1,200 somewhere else can create problems with galleries and collectors.

Remember to consider the exhibition's sales commission when pricing your work.

Don't simply raise your price dramatically for one exhibition to compensate for the commission. Develop a pricing structure that works across different sales environments.

8. Research the Juror

If the juror's name is provided, learn about them.

Understanding a juror's professional background can give you useful context. Are they a curator, gallery director, museum professional, artist, educator, critic, or collector?

However, don't try to create or select work simply because you think it matches the juror's personal taste.

Submit work that represents you.

Research should help you understand the context of the exhibition—not encourage you to become a different artist.

9. Research the Venue

Ask yourself whether being accepted would actually benefit you.

Where is the exhibition being held? Who typically attends? How is it promoted? Is there an opening reception? Is the venue professionally managed? Does the organization have a history of presenting quality exhibitions?

Look at photographs of previous shows.

The reputation and audience of the exhibition can be just as important as the award money.

10. Understand Entry Fees and Commissions

Legitimate juried exhibitions often charge entry fees. These may cover administration, juror honoraria, gallery expenses, awards, installation, marketing, and other exhibition costs.

A fee by itself doesn't make an opportunity questionable.

But evaluate what you're receiving in return.

A $40 or $50 application to a professionally juried exhibition at a respected venue is very different from paying hundreds or thousands of dollars simply for the privilege of being included.

11. Be Cautious About Vanity Galleries

Not every acceptance is an accomplishment.

Be wary of organizations that seem willing to accept virtually everyone, charge unusually high exhibition fees, require expensive promotional packages, or continually flatter artists while asking for more money.

Research the organization.

Look at previous exhibitions. Find out who the jurors and curators are. Examine the quality of the work shown. Search for experiences from other artists.

A legitimate rejection from a highly competitive exhibition can sometimes mean more professionally than an expensive guaranteed acceptance.

12. Keep Your Artist Biography and Résumé Current

Maintain both a short biography and a longer professional biography.

Your résumé or CV should also be updated regularly with exhibitions, awards, gallery representation, residencies, publications, education, commissions, and other relevant professional accomplishments.

Don't wait until 11:30 p.m. on the night of a submission deadline to update everything.

13. Maintain an Exhibition-Ready Artist File

Create one central folder containing everything you regularly need for applications.

Include professional images, artwork information, artist statements, biographies, résumé/CV, headshot, exhibition photographs, press coverage, and other supporting materials.

Also maintain an inventory of your artwork with titles, dimensions, media, prices, availability, and exhibition history.

When the right opportunity appears, you'll be ready.

14. Present Your Work Professionally

Getting accepted isn't the end of the process.

Artwork should arrive clean, finished, and ready to install according to the exhibition's specifications.

Frames should be appropriate and in good condition. Hanging hardware should be secure. Sculpture should be stable. Special installation requirements should have been disclosed in advance.

The quality of your presentation reflects your professionalism.

15. Meet Every Deadline

Exhibition organizers are coordinating artists, artwork, installers, labels, publicity, receptions, jurors, volunteers, and venues.

Deadlines matter.

Submit on time. Deliver artwork during the designated period. Provide requested information promptly. Attend required meetings when applicable. Pick up your artwork when instructed.

Being easy to work with matters more than many artists realize.

16. Don't Take Rejection Personally

Every working artist experiences rejection.

Juried exhibitions have limited space. Sometimes excellent work simply doesn't fit the exhibition, the juror's vision, the available space, or the balance of the final selection.

One juror may reject a piece that another juror later gives an award.

A rejection is one decision about one artwork in one particular exhibition.

Keep submitting.

17. When You're Accepted, Promote the Exhibition

Don't leave all the promotion to the organization.

Share the exhibition on your website, email list, and social media. Invite collectors, friends, designers, and people who have expressed interest in your work.

Tag the venue and organizing organization when appropriate.

And attend the opening whenever possible.

An exhibition isn't simply about having your artwork on a wall. It's an opportunity to meet people.

18. Build Relationships

Attend exhibitions even when your work isn't included.

Meet artists. Talk with gallery directors. Attend lectures and artist talks. Join arts organizations. Volunteer. Participate in critiques and workshops.

The goal isn't aggressive self-promotion.

It's becoming an active member of the arts community.

Relationships develop naturally when people repeatedly see you, your work, and your commitment to the arts.

19. Think About Your Exhibition Career Strategically

As your exhibition history develops, become increasingly selective.

Early in your career, gaining experience and learning how exhibitions operate can be valuable. Later, you may want to concentrate on juried exhibitions, curated shows, gallery representation, museum opportunities, residencies, or public art.

Ask yourself what each opportunity adds to your career.

Your goal isn't simply to accumulate a long list of exhibitions.

It's to build a meaningful one.

20. Keep Making the Work

Applications, websites, social media, openings, and networking all have a place in an artist's career.

But none of them replaces the work.

Continue experimenting. Challenge yourself. Develop your technical skills. Take risks. Allow your work to evolve.

A recognizable artistic voice develops over time.

And ultimately, the strongest exhibition strategy begins with creating work that deserves to be seen.

Looking for Places to Exhibit?

If you're ready to begin applying, read our companion guide:

Top Art Exhibition Opportunities and Calls for Artists in South Florida

Discover galleries, cultural organizations, public art programs, artist associations, juried exhibitions, and other opportunities throughout the South Florida arts community.