About the Open Call

Woman Made Gallery seeks entries in all media by women and non-binary artists worldwide for its 27th International Open, on view from February 28 to March 28, 2026. Juried by artist and educator, Nirmal Raja, this open theme encourages entries that explore or challenge conceptual and material boundaries. The exhibition will be held at Woman Made Gallery, located at 1332 S. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60607. Nirmal Raja is an interdisciplinary artist who recently relocated to Cambridge, MA after living and working in Milwaukee for over 24 years. Her work revolves around understanding the impact of migration on women, the weight of cultural responsibilities placed on women while traversing geographic boundaries, and material culture as a witness and testament to these memories. Accepted work may be listed for sale or be not for sale (NFS). WMG will retain a 40% commission on sold works. Sold artworks shall remain in the exhibition until the end of the exhibition. Artists will be paid no later than 30 days after the close of the exhibit. An artist contract with full terms of the exhibition will be administered at the time of acceptance notification. Artists need to retrieve their work by the date noted in the artist contract or make alternate arrangements.

What is Offered

Prizes Awarded: 1st Place $500, 2nd Place $250, 3rd Place $100, 4th Place Honorable Mention. Opportunity to exhibit work at Woman Made Gallery.

Requirements

Eligibility: Open to women and non-binary artists worldwide, including trans women and femme/feminine-identifying genderqueer artists. Artworks must fall within 6’ horizontally and under 75 pounds in weight, unless delivered to and picked up from the gallery by the artist. Artists may be additionally responsible for the installation of oversized works. New media artworks are eligible; artists must submit a sample .mp4 or URL under 10 mins for consideration. For exhibition, WMG requires a digital transfer (Google Drive, Vimeo downloads, WeTransfer) and a USB formatted in .mp4 file format delivered to the gallery. WMG can provide a limited number of media players, Epson projectors and TV monitors with basic speakers; all other new media needs are the responsibility of the artist.

How to Apply

Submissions are accepted via Submittable. Each entry requires a minimum of one artwork, though up to three artworks may be considered per submission. Members at the Enhanced Artist Level and above receive one free entry annually by emailing general@womanmade.org for a one-time code. Fee waivers are available for ALAANA/BIPOC and/or LGBTQIA+ artists, or those demonstrating financial instability, low income, student/recent graduate status. Email general@womanmade.org to request a fee-waiver.