• Try “portfolio”, “ink”, “branding” or a code like “PRS 101”.

IFA 301Illustration and Fine Arts

Creating Exhibition Submissions

Find suitable calls and assemble strong submissions: reading calls closely, artist statements, CVs, image lists, exhibition proposals, follow-up and what happens if you're accepted.

Planned

About this course

Juried shows, open calls, artist-run centres and galleries each ask for something slightly different. This course teaches you to find opportunities that fit your work, read calls carefully (eligibility, fees, deadlines and rights clauses), and assemble a complete package: a submission-specific artist statement, an artist CV, an image list and image files to specification, and an exhibition proposal. You will learn to track submissions, handle rejection and follow up professionally, and understand what to expect from exhibition agreements, including artist fee guidance published by organizations such as CARFAC in Canada.

Who it’s for: Artists with a documented body of work who are ready to apply to exhibitions. Art Presentation and Documentation (or equivalent records) is required.

You will be able to

  • Identify and evaluate calls that fit your work, practice and budget.
  • Read a call closely and list its eligibility, fees, requirements and rights terms.
  • Write a submission-specific artist statement and a properly formatted artist CV.
  • Prepare an image list and image files that meet a call's specifications.
  • Write an exhibition proposal and track submissions and outcomes.

Prerequisites

Studio project

A complete, specification-compliant exhibition submission for a real call, including statement, CV, image list, images and a proposal.

To complete this course

  • Complete every required lesson.
  • Have the assignment “A complete exhibition submission” accepted by an instructor.
  • Records of completion are issued only for courses whose content has passed instructor review.

Part of

Syllabus

Working titles: they may change as the course is written.

  1. Module 1: Finding the right calls

    Applying to fewer, better-matched opportunities.

    1. 1.1Types of exhibition opportunitiesReading · 30 min
    2. 1.2Reading a call closelyExercise · 35 min
    3. 1.3Tracking deadlines and submissionsExercise · 25 min

  2. Module 2: The submission package

    The documents juries and curators actually read.

    1. 2.1Artist statements for submissionsExercise · 45 min
    2. 2.2The artist CVReading · 30 min
    3. 2.3Image lists and image specificationsExercise · 35 min
    4. 2.4Writing an exhibition proposalReading · 40 min

  3. Module 3: Submitting and following up

    What happens after you press submit.

    1. 3.1Submission portals and formatsReading · 25 min
    2. 3.2Rejection, feedback and follow-upReading · 20 min
    3. 3.3If you're accepted: agreements and feesReading · 30 min

Educational information about Canadian and international practice, not legal, tax or financial advice. For decisions about your situation, consult a qualified professional.

Sources

Author: Ricketts University curriculum team (draft for founder review) · Not yet reviewed

Related courses

  1. IFA 101

    Seeing and Drawing: Observational Drawing Fundamentals

    Learn to draw what you see: contour, measuring, negative space, basic forms and perspective, light and value, and a sustainable sketchbook habit.Illustration and Fine Arts    Foundation12 lessons · ~24 hIn development
  2. IFA 102

    Ink and Line

    Draw with pens, brushes and nibs: mark-making, line weight, hatching, stippling and washes, then finish and scan black-and-white ink illustrations.Illustration and Fine Arts    Foundation9 lessons · ~16 hPlanned
  3. IFA 103

    Figure and Gesture Drawing

    Draw the human figure with life and structure: gesture, proportion, simplified anatomy, foreshortening and clothed figures, from life and from references.Illustration and Fine Arts    Foundation10 lessons · ~24 hPlanned
Back to the full catalogue