Open Call for Exhibition Proposals 2028 and 2029

About this call

Arts + Literature Laboratory, the contemporary arts centre in Madison, Wisconsin, is taking exhibition proposals for its 2028 and 2029 seasons, for shows on all three floors of its exhibition space. The centre describes itself as an experimental laboratory for the community, showing new work that is conceptually engaged in the contemporary conversation, and it exhibits artists at every career stage, from emerging to established, who work regionally, nationally and internationally. Proposals are welcome in all media, with photographs, paintings, prints, sculpture, installation-based work and time-based media all named on the call. Three formats are accepted: solo exhibitions, group exhibitions, and curatorial projects. A curatorial project has to come with detailed project information and images of every work it would include, so a curator proposing a group show should expect to document the whole checklist rather than a sample. The centre encourages applications from artists historically denied access to creative career paths, naming Black artists, Indigenous artists and artists of colour, women artists, LGBTQ+ artists, and artists with disabilities. The submission window runs 1 October to 4 December, proposals are reviewed in January 2027, and decisions are communicated at the end of that month. Questions go to the exhibitions contact named on the call page. The page does not state an application fee or what selected artists are paid.

Who can apply

• International applicants
• Medium: Painting / Photography / Printmaking / Sculpture / Installation / Video
• Entry fee: See official site
• Open to artists at any career stage working regionally, nationally or internationally. Three proposal formats are accepted: solo exhibitions, group exhibitions, and curatorial projects; curatorial projects must include detailed project information and images of all included work. All media are welcome. The organiser encourages applications from artists historically denied access to creative career paths, including Black artists, Indigenous artists, and artists of colour, women artists, LGBTQ+ artists, and artists with disabilities. The submission window is 1 October to 4 December. The official page states no application fee and does not publish what selected artists are paid, so check with the organiser before applying.