Group Exhibition Proposals: Akron Bicentennial

Forum Gallery | July 11 - September 13, 2025

Summit Artspace invites local artists and curators to apply for an Akron Bicentennial themed group exhibition to be held in the Forum Gallery during Summer 2025, when the city will be celebrating its anniversary. All exhibitions on view during this time will have a relationship to Akron and the Bicentennial. Proposal themes should reflect ideas of home and the domestic; place and location; the environment; Akron and its history; the Mid-West or Rustbelt; celebration and innovation. We welcome artists and organizers with new bodies of work exploring exciting themes in contemporary art to apply. 

Exhibition proposals will be reviewed and selected by Summit Artspace staff. Criteria taken into consideration while reviewing applications include relation to the theme, media, quality of work, spatial needs, professionalism, and programming related to Summit Artspace's goals for community engagement, especially in relation to themes found in other exhibitions in our schedule. Strong applications will have a concise body of artwork and clear vision. Summit Artspace is interested in highlighting a diverse range of artistic skill sets and backgrounds as well as diverse material and critical exploration.  

The Forum Gallery is a larger-sized space located on the second floor. We strongly encourage interested applicants to come visit Summit Artspace during public hours (Fridays 12 - 7 p.m. and Saturdays 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.) to better understand the gallery spaces available and how exhibitions are presented.  
 

NO FEE TO APPLY!

Deadline for Proposals: December 20, 2024
Notification of Acceptance: February 2025

Eligibility:  Must be 18+ for consideration. Artists featured in the exhibition must be living in Summit County or contiguous counties (Cuyahoga, Geauga, Medina, Portage, Stark, Wayne). Artwork cannot have been previously displayed in a Summit Artspace exhibition.  
 

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Summit Artspace believes that a diverse community of artists plays a vital role in representing our collective humanity. We foster an inclusive culture and encourage artists from different cultures, languages, sexual orientations, racial affiliations, and abilities to apply.  We strive to provide accessible and accommodating galleries and programming. We are committed to exhibiting, connecting, assisting, and promoting artists without discrimination based on age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, military or protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, sex stereotyping, or disability.  
 

Expectations 

• If artists are selected, they will be required to complete an exhibition agreement solidifying details for the exhibition. Artists must adhere to all guidelines provided by staff, including Summit Artspace's consignment agreement, in which 70% of artwork sales are paid to the artist and the organization receives a 30% commission.
• Exhibiting artists must work with staff to coordinate install and tear-down of exhibitions as well as provide artwork data for labeling by agreed upon deadlines. Artists must be available in-person for installation. Professional installation can be provided by Summit Artspace, unless the artist(s) should install their own artwork due to special installation requirements. Care will be taken when handling and displaying all artwork; however, Summit Artspace waives responsibility for either damage or loss of artwork.  
• All exhibiting artists are requested to assist in marketing efforts, and Summit Artspace staff will promote exhibitions through digital and print media, press releases, and internal signage. Summit Artspace will provide designed exhibition graphics and didactics, as well as photography for virtual exhibitions.  
   

Display

• Final installation size of artwork cannot exceed 7' (84") high.
• Any single component of an artwork must not exceed 50 pounds. 
• The artist may be responsible for providing necessary hanging devices and/or installing artwork themselves if they are not ready to hang. 
• Summit Artspace has a limited number of pedestals and display monitors available. The artist may be required to provide a special display fixture appropriate for the installation.
• Suitability of works which must be suspended, require a power source, are between 35-50 pounds, are close to the size limitations or have other special installation requirements will be determined on an individual work basis.
• Please note all displays are subject to Summit Artspace approval.   
   

Questions or concerns? Please email natalie@summitartspace.org.