Solo and Group Exhibition Opportunities
The Delaplaine seeks proposals for solo and group exhibitions on an ongoing basis. Exhibitions are showcased in five galleries on two floors and openings are held on most first Saturdays. Proposals for large group, small group, and solo shows are reviewed by an exhibition selection panel and are scheduled up to two years in advance. See below for some helpful FAQs.
Schools and community groups also are welcome to apply for exhibition in the Community Art Gallery. For information about these opportunities, please contact the Exhibitions Manager.
To Submit a Proposal Click the Link Below. You will be redirected to our Call For Entry Page.
Current Exhibition Calls for Entries
Enter your artwork in these upcoming exhibitions.
U.S. of Art
Entry deadline: May 24
Over 70 Show
Entry deadline: Jun 28
FOCUS: National Juried Photography Exhibition
Entry deadline: Sep 27
Other Exhibition Opportunities
Learn more about these annual and biennial exhibitions at the links below.
Holiday Art Competition
Call for entry coming Summer of 2026
Veterans Show
Call for entry coming Summer of 2027
The Elizabeth Barker Delaplaine Award for Young Artists (Bettie Awards)
Click above for 2026 Bettie Award Winners
Emerging Perspectives Exhibition
Click above for the 2026 exhibiting artists
National Juried Exhibition
Click above fro the 2026 exhibiting artists
Applying for an Exhibition FAQs
Who can apply for an exhibition at the Delaplaine?
Anyone! Exhibitors have included artists with varying backgrounds and experiences—local and international, professional and nonprofessional, well-known and emerging, self-taught and highly trained. They all have contributed to making the Delaplaine a dynamic site for the visual arts.
How does one apply for a show?
Applying for a show is easy! We accept all exhibition proposals online through CaFÉ, a digital call-for-entry portal. CaFÉ has a help page with more information on how to use their platform, as well as how to contact their help center. For those who need further assistance or don’t have online access, please contact the Exhibitions Manager (301-698-0656 x108) to set up an appointment for assistance with the submission.
Is there a cost to apply?
Exhibition proposal fees are $7 for Delaplaine members, and $37 for non-members. Fees are submitted with the proposals on EntryThingy. Of course, anyone can become a Delaplaine member. Find out more.
What is the selection process?
Exhibition proposals are reviewed and evaluated by the Exhibit Selection Panel, consisting of artists, art professionals, art consultants, and art educators. Once the reviews are completed, the Exhibitions Manager schedules the exhibitions that have been accepted by the panel.
Proposals are reviewed every other month:
- Received Jan 15–Mar 14: notified by April 8
- Received Mar 15–May 14: notified by June 8
- Received May 15–July 14: notified by August 8
- Received July 15–Sept 14: notified by October 8
- Received Sept 15–Nov 14: notified by December 8
- Received Nov 15–Jan 14: notified by February 8
What does the panel look for?
There are a number of factors that the panel considers when reviewing a proposal. Does it convey a clear message? Is it cohesive and comprehensive? Will it reach a broad range of audiences? Are installation requirements compatible with the spaces we provide? These are just some of the considerations. Artists aren’t judged on their personal backgrounds or writing skills—it’s really about the art.
How long does it take to get a show, if accepted?
About two years. That gives artists a chance to develop the body of work that they intend to exhibit, and gives the Delaplaine the opportunity to work on exhibition-related programming and promotion. We have seven on-site exhibit spaces that change monthly and three satellite spaces to plan for, so adequate lead-time is very important.
What about AI-generated or AI-assisted artwork?
In order to further the goals of the exhibition program while also providing limitations that support artistic creativity, human authorship, transparency, and ethical considerations, the Delaplaine has instituted the following guidelines for use of artificial intelligence (AI) for exhibited artworks:
1. The Delaplaine will not consider artwork for exhibition that is solely AI-generated, defined as autonomously created by AI.
2. The Delaplaine may consider artwork for exhibition that is AI-assisted, defined as AI used as a tool within a greater human-led process, or includes AI-assisted elements, provided that the artist’s input clearly dominates.
3. When AI is used by the artist in any aspect of the creation of an artwork, it must be fully disclosed. Disclosure must include an explanation of what processes and AI tools were used and how they were utilized.
4. The artist must adhere to all applicable laws and regulations, including copyright.
5. The public label of any artwork chosen for exhibition will include “Created using the assistance of artificial intelligence” or other appropriate verbiage disclosing the use of AI, as deemed appropriate by Delaplaine staff.