Mayor's Art Show Call to Artists

How to Submit Work

Entries may be submitted through the web-based CaFÉ application system between May 31-July 12, 2023. CaFÉ is an online application and jurying system used by organizations and galleries for national and international calls for entry into public art projects, artist fellowships, juried visual art competitions and exhibitions. Applicants have access to hundreds of artist call opportunities and registration is free.

For assistance with CaFÉ visit the CaFÉ Help for Artists page.

Please note: we prioritize creating a call for artists that is accessible for all users. If accessing CaFÉ, creating an artist portfolio and/or submitting your artwork online is a barrier for you or if you have any accessibility requests, please contact Chanin Santiago for support.

How to submit in CaFÉ:

1. Register with CaFÉ profile: callforentry.org/register_info.php
2. Set up your portfolio in CaFÉ by uploading images of your artwork: callforentry.org/image_prep.phtml 
3. Upload required image/file work samples to your CaFÉ portfolio. Image and file uploads must meet these requirements:
   • Images: JPEG or JPG format. File size under 5MB with a minimum of 1200 pixels on the longest side.
   • Audio: AIFF, WAV, XMF or MP3 format File size under 10MB with a minimum bit rate of 96.
   • Video: 3GP, WMV, AVI, MOV, ASF, MPG, MP4, M2T, MKV or M2TS format. File size under 100MB with a minimum resolution of 640x480 and a minimum framerate of 12fps.
4. Apply to the artist call:
   • Link your work samples portfolio from your CaFÉ profile.
   • Artist bio: share your biography, written in third-person. Tell us a little about your art career and/or practice in 250 words or less.
   • Artist statement: tell us about the specific artwork you are submitting in 250 words or less.
   • Application questions:
     • Does this artwork include cultural themes and/or designs? If yes, how does it relate to your culture and/or identity? 250 words or less.
     • How does this artwork or your art practice relate to this site, this land and/or this community? 250 words or less.
5. Checkout: proceed to finalize and submit your entry.

Jury

A panel of local artists and art professionals will review all applications. Artists will be notified of their acceptance into the show by late July.

Awards

After the exhibit opens to the public, awards will be given to accepted artists based on consideration of the following criteria: conceptual strength, artistry, innovation, craftsmanship and use of materials. Awards will be given in each category:

• Mayor’s Choice
• Juror’s Choice
• Peoples’ Choice
• Curator’s Choice

Photographic Guidelines

Artists are strongly encouraged to submit images for this call that present work to its best advantage. Photographs should give a sense of how the piece “sits” or “hangs.” Detailed photographs are important to show the technical excellence of the work; they can highlight special areas that might not be obvious in the full shot of the work. Works accepted in the exhibition must be available to be photographed individually or in exhibition installation shots for advertising and publicity during the entire run of the exhibition.

The curator reserves the right to refuse artworks at any time during the processes of submission, selection, intake or installation.

Sales

Please note that price and/or value of an accepted entry may not be changed after it is set. This can be problematic if the cost of framing is not considered and included in price. Work should be marked “NFS” if it is not available for purchase. Please include value of work for insurance purposes. All objects sold must remain on display for the duration of the exhibition. All sales incur a 25% commission. Artwork can be shipped and shipping costs are determined by the size and value of the piece.

Permission and Copyright

By submitting an entry, the Artist grants permission for the City of Eugene Cultural Services to use the accepted image on its website, in brochures, in promotional materials, on social media and for publicity of the exhibition, both physical and digital. Every effort will be made to maintain quality true to the submitted image, recognizing that the print or electronic medium may affect how the viewer perceives the image. Artists will be given attribution for their work. The Artist certifies that he or she holds the copyright for this material and the copyright remains with said Artist. The Artist also certifies that the work submitted is original, has been completed after January 1, 2022 and does not infringe on any existing copyright. If artwork includes images of any person, the Artist certifies that a model release for such people has been obtained. Furthermore, if the accepted work differs dramatically from the image submitted, the City of Eugene Cultural Services reserves the right to return the work to the Artist without entering it into the exhibition. By signing this agreement, the Artist acknowledges and understands the above provisions and has read and agreed with the provisions in the Call for Entry.

Timeline

• May 31: Call for Artists opens
• June 21:  Information Session, available in-person and online from 4-7 p.m.
  • In-person: join us at the Atrium building in Downtown Eugene: 99 W. 10th Ave, Suite 117
  • Online: Connect via Zoom at eugene-or-gov.zoom.us/j/84145031655 (meeting ID: 841 4503 1655)
• July 12: Call for Artists closes at 10 p.m. (PDT)
• Mid-July: Jury reviews submitted work for entry into MAS
• Late July: Artists will be notified of the jury’s decision
• Late August: Selected artwork will be photographed by professional photographer for publicity and online gallery
• October 6:  MAS opens with Visual Art Week
• October 29: MAS closes

Salon Des Refusés

In the spirit of celebrating the visual arts and artists, those who are not selected for entry into MAS have the option to apply for entry in the Salon des Refusés exhibition with our community partners at New Zone Gallery. The Salon des Refusés is a tradition we hold dear and highlights even more artists in our community. MAS has limited space to showcase artists and we are honored to partner with New Zone Gallery for more opportunities to present new, local artwork.

Help for Artists

Artist Statements

To learn more about writing an artist statement, we recommend Art-Write: The Writing Guide for Visual Artists. This book teaches artists how to write about their work and offers a step-by-step approach to create a professional artist statement. Thinking and writing exercises are included to ease the process and develop authentic and clear content.

We also recommend listening to Passionate Painter Podcast Episode 21: Vicki Krohn Amorose Demystifies Writing and Speaking About Your Art

Learn About Cultural Appropriation 

Cultural Appropriation is defined as “the unacknowledged or inappropriate adoption of the practices, customs, or aesthetics of one social or ethnic group by members of another (typically dominant) community or society.” (Oxford English Dictionary)

The do’s, don’ts, maybes, and I-don’t-knows of cultural appropriation 

Wait, Am I Culturally Appropriating?

Understand the Indian Arts and Crafts Act (IACA) of 1990