Compete Subtractivity: Call for Works Made About or Through Subtractive Processes
Opportunity Description
International Deadline: February 15, 2026 – The Cincinnati based non-profit arts organization and gallery, Manifest, invites visual artists and designers to submit works made by or about a subtractive process.
Reduction, as a principle, is about revelation. The process of clearing away excess clarifies what is essential. You remove the mass, the noise, the material that isn’t, and discover what is. In this way, reduction asserts economy as a primary principle in achieving successful art, making removal an intentional creative act rather than one of correction.
Acid biting into metal, an eraser rubbing away dust, a blade cutting into wood are all physical conversations between artist and material. Where the blank and daunting white page asks the artist to add meaning through accumulation, the subtractive process instead recognizes that an image or object already exists—waiting to be excavated, carrying the signature of its nature through to final realization.
On display May 29 – June 26, 2026.
ELIGIBILITY
SUBTRACTIVITY is open to everyone internationally. The only limitation is that entries must represent original works which address the broad theme described above. Open to all traditional and non-traditional genre and media.
HONORARIA
Each participating exhibitor will receive a $50 honorarium. The honorarium has no strings attached (other than full participation in the relevant exhibit). It is a modest thank-you for collaborating with us as we chart our future.
$9,000 IN GRAND JURY AWARDS
For our current season the Grand Jury Award format will result in the awarding of $1,000 to one work during each of our nine exhibition periods… see more.
JURY & CURATOR
Manifest’s selection process involves a complex two-part system. This exhibit will be juried by an anonymous several member panel of professional and academic advisors with a broad range of expertise relative to art and design
PUBLICATION
Manifest Press will produce a high quality hard-cover publication documenting each entire season of exhibits, artists, and works shown. This continues Manifest’s commitment to long-term documentation and dissemination of our projects, and the expansion of physical exhibits into a broader geography and time frame, while also bringing all exhibits together under one cover each year to create a better product which will be more valuable to the public, teachers, libraries, and exhibiting artists.
ENTRY FEE
$45 for up to four entries submitted. $5 per each additional entry.
APPLY ONLINE
Visit Manifest Gallery online to Apply.
Notifications sent by email to all entrants by the end of day, May 23, 2026.
SALES
Artworks are not required to be for sale in order to be included in our exhibitions. All work, unless indicated as not for sale (NFS), will be available for sale during exhibit. Manifest Gallery will retain a commission of 30% of the sale price on artwork sold during the exhibition.
INSURANCE
Works will be insured while on gallery premises. Insurance covers theft, vandalism, damage caused by gallery patrons or staff.
Visit Manifest Gallery online for complete details and to Apply.
About:
Manifest Creative Research Gallery and Drawing Center is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization located in East Walnut Hills in Cincinnati, Ohio. We serve as a venue for the display and experience of insightful, thought provoking art and design, and functions as a hub for creative research and innovation at all levels of artistic endeavor.
Manifest Gallery
2727 Woodburn Avenue
East Walnut Hills
Cincinnati, Ohio 45206
