OPPORTUNITIES

Public Art Opportunity: Request for Proposals

The Delaplaine Arts Center seeks to install a sculptural artwork in the art center’s garden along Carroll Creek Park on an existing cement pad. Click here to view the RFP which includes project goals, timeline, site, scope, selection process, budget, and application requirements and application.

Deadline for Proposals: August 31, 2024

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.

Submit Your Work

Current Exhibition Calls for Entries

Enter your artwork in these upcoming exhibitions.

2024 Holiday Art Competition Submit Now!

Other Exhibition Opportunities

Learn more about these annual and biennial exhibitions at the links below.

The 2025 Elizabeth Barker Delaplaine Award for Young Artists (Bettie Awards) Coming Winter of 2025!
Emerging Perspectives Exhibition. Coming Winter of 2025!
National Juried Exhibition Call for entry coming Winter of 2024
Over 70 Show Registration is closed, 2025’s registration coming in the Spring
Veterans Show Call for entry coming spring 2025
FOCUS: National Juried Photography Exhibition  Call for entry coming spring 2026

 

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 EntryThingy, a digital call-for-entry portal. There is a video tutorial for new users that walks you through each step. 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.