REGIONAL SHOWCASE: An Open Call to Artists in Ohio, Kentucky, & Indiana

About the Open Call

It is very important to note that this is NOT a call for works ABOUT Ohio, Kentucky, or Indiana. There is no thematic or media requirement. The exhibit is solely focused on works by artists living in the three states, to celebrate the diversity and quality of the artwork made by people in our region. This regional exhibit has no defined type, media, or style of work to be considered or selected. This is an open call. Submissions can range from the most traditional to the most conceptual or experimental. The only criteria for entry is that works must qualify as works of visual art in the broadest sense of the term made by artists currently living in Ohio, Kentucky, or Indiana. Eligibility: This exhibit is open to everyone. The only limitation is that entries must represent original works and be made by artists currently living in either Ohio, Kentucky, or Indiana. Media: Open to any and all traditional and non-traditional visual arts media, including 2D, 3D, and experimental or non-traditional visual arts disciplines, media, and genres. Size Limit: Manifest has no size restrictions on submissions other than what can fit in our spaces, on our walls, and through our door. Artists considering submitting who have work which may exceed these limits are welcome to contact us to inquire about specific limits (info@manifestgallery.org). Date Restrictions: Manifest has no requirements on timeframe when submitted works must have been made. At Manifest we do not believe great art has an expiration date. Exhibiting Artist 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. Grand Jury Awards: The Grand Jury Award format now results in the awarding of $1,000 to one work during each of our nine exhibition periods. This expands our support from one to up to nine exhibiting artists each year, and allocates 80% more funding to recognize the merits of exhibited works. Entry Fee: Manifest's average fee per-work to submit to our exhibitions is roughly the same as it was 20 years ago thanks in large part to the generous donors to our Annual Fund. $45 for up to THREE entries submitted. $5 per each additional entry. Fees are non-refundable. Number of entries is unlimited. Jury and 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. The jury will then pass along their recommendations to the exhibit curator who will make the final selections from the jury-approved pool. Submission of Images: Manifest accepts only digital images/files for consideration. Images must be uploaded using the Dropbox link provided after entry form submission. This link will also be included on the emailed copy of your entry form. Hi-Res, print-quality images will be requested for accepted works upon conclusion of the jury process. Entry images must meet the following specifications: FILE NAMING: All entry files (regardless of type or media) must be named with artist's last name (underscore)first name, followed by the entry number. Detail, installation, or alternate view images must include the word 'detail' in the filename. The image files should be in HIGH QUALITY JPEG format, images should be no smaller than 1000 pixels in any direction (about 13”) and be 72 dpi. If your work is video-based or requires video to convey its nature: Manifest requests that all video or interactive submissions, or video details illustrating an entry, be in the form of a link to a viewable online copy of each work AND a single representative jpeg image loaded to the project Dropbox. The work should be shown online in its full length. Video links should be provided on the entry form for each work in the VIEWING LINK section, and should link directly to online or downloadable content that does NOT require a login, password or membership to view. Agreement to Participate: Submitting the entry form indicates that you agree with the conditions of entry and exhibit as outlined in this prospectus, that you are reserving spots in our jury, that you will send the entry fee, and that you agree to make your work available and will ship/deliver it to the gallery should it be selected for exhibit. Publication: Manifest Press produced 74 full-color catalogs documenting the works selected for every exhibit presented in our galleries. Starting with season 10 (fall of 2013) we shifted to the design of one much larger high quality hard-cover publication documenting each entire season of exhibits, artists, and works shown. Exhibiting Artists will have the option of purchasing one copy of the MEA for the season in which their work is exhibited at half price. All solo exhibitors receive a copy of the MEA for free. Delivery and Return of Work: All work accepted for the exhibition must arrive ready to install. Works not gallery-ready, or not exhibiting good craftsmanship, may be omitted from the exhibit. Work may be hand delivered or shipped. Shipped works must be sent in an easily reusable container/packaging with return shipping prepaid. The artists are responsible for all shipping costs to and from the gallery. Insurance: Works will be insured while on gallery premises. Insurance covers theft, vandalism, damage caused by gallery patrons or staff. PLEASE NOTE: Insurance does not cover damage caused during shipping due to any reason, including mishandling by carrier or failure of packaging to protect works in transit. Sale of Artwork: Artworks are not required to be for sale in order to be included in our exhibitions. Manifest Gallery will retain a commission of 30% of the sale price on all artwork sold during the exhibition. Artists set the sale price on the entry form, and in doing so should account for all logistical costs, framing, etc. related to making the work exhibit-ready. Sale price and status cannot be changed after the deadline to submit.

What is Offered

Every exhibiting artist receives a $50 cash honorarium. $9,000 in Grand Jury Awards will be distributed, with $1,000 awarded during each of the nine exhibition periods. Exhibiting artists have the option to purchase the season annual publication (MEA) at half price, and solo exhibitors receive a free copy.

Requirements

This exhibit is open to all visual artists currently living in Ohio, Kentucky, or Indiana. Entries must be original works. Professional-level presentation and craftsmanship are a must. Submitted digital images must be high-quality JPEG format, no smaller than 1000 pixels in any direction (about 13”) and 72 dpi, with specific file naming conventions. Video submissions require a link to a viewable online copy (no login/password) and a representative JPEG image. Works accepted for exhibition must arrive gallery-ready and will remain on display for the duration of the exhibition. Artists are responsible for all shipping costs to and from the gallery.

How to Apply

After reviewing the full prospectus, applicants must complete the required online entry form. Images must be uploaded using the Dropbox link provided after entry form submission; this link will also be included in the emailed copy of your entry form. If sending the entry fee by check, it must be postmarked by the deadline and mailed to: Manifest Creative Research Gallery, OKI REGIONAL SHOWCASE, P.O. Box 6218, Cincinnati, OH 45206. Alternatively, the fee can be paid by credit card via PayPal using the link provided after submitting the online entry form.