Open shows
An open show accepts any entry that meets the basic rules: size, medium, framing, deadline and fee. Nothing is rejected before hanging. Open shows are where new artists get their first wall time, and standards vary widely from one venue to the next.
Juried shows
A juried show is filtered by an invited juror who selects from submitted entries and then usually awards prizes. Two rounds are common: a digital jury from images, then an in-person award jury after hanging. Acceptance rates in strong regional shows here often sit between a third and a half of entries. A juried acceptance is the currency of a local artist resume.
Members only shows
Restricted to members of the hosting league or guild, which is one of the practical reasons artists join. Entry fees are lower and the competition is friendlier.
Cooperative galleries
A group of artists shares rent, commission and staffing duty. Members pay a monthly fee or a share, hang a set number of works, and are typically required to sit the gallery on scheduled days. Commissions are lower than commercial galleries, often around a quarter to a third, and the artist keeps control of pricing.
Outdoor festivals
Juried tent shows in parks and closed streets, mostly January through March. Booth fees plus a jury fee, no commission in most cases. High volume, weather dependent, physically demanding, and the fastest way to sell a lot of small work.
Reading a prospectus
Every show publishes one, and it is a contract. Check eligibility, media categories, size and weight limits, framing and wiring requirements, entry fee and how many pieces it covers, digital image specifications, delivery and pickup dates, commission on sales, and the insurance clause. Work that violates the hanging rules gets refused at receiving no matter how good it is.