Compete International Open-Theme Opportunity Exhibit
Opportunity Description
International Deadline: November 22, 2026 – The Cincinnati based non-profit arts organization and gallery, Manifest, invites visual artists and designers to submit works of art with no specific theme. Open to all traditional and non-traditional genre and media, including 2D, 3D, etc.
Manifest is known for its thoughtful thematic approaches to exhibitions. When we put out a call for works with a subject in mind, the resulting show serves as a survey of contemporary art made about that certain idea. The subjects span geographies, emotions, methods, ideas. Through our over 550 exhibit history Manifest has produced shows exploring hundreds of unique themes. And each work, each theme, has been documented through our exhibition catalogs and award-winning publications.
The next creative experiment we want to run, now for a third year in a row, is this: reverse the process and host an open call, then discover the theme (or multiple themes) through the curatorial process, and not before. With an eye still fixed on finding and showcasing exceptional quality visual art, we want to give the artists a chance to steer the epiphanies that a TOTALLY OPEN call will yield.
Exhibition Dates: March 5 – April 2, 2027.
ELIGIBILITY
TOTALLY OPEN is open to everyone internationally. There is no limitation to this special call. Open to all traditional and non-traditional genre and media, including 2D, 3D, etc.
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 to all entrants by the end of this day: January 25, 2027.
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
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