The New City Arts’ Welcome Gallery exhibition open call is open to artists and curators living in the Charlottesville area (including the city of Charlottesville and the counties of Albemarle, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Nelson, and Orange). Eligible applicants also include:

• Artists of any discipline whose work can be presented in an exhibition at Welcome Gallery*;

• Curators (exhibitions can feature up to 4 artists);

• Artists representing a collective or applying on behalf of a group (exhibitions can feature up to 3 artists);

• Artists/curators who have not had a solo exhibition at Welcome Gallery in the last 3 years.

Additional eligibility details can be found here, in the application.

*Artists exhibiting multimedia installations involving projection and/or sound may be required to provide equipment necessary for installation. Applicants should address any anticipated tech needs in their proposals.

Applications are first evaluated to ensure that:

• Eligibility criteria has been met

• The application has been fully completed

Exhibition proposals are then reviewed by a selection committee. Committee members change with each application period, but include artists who have participated in New City Arts programming, board members, and community members such as artists, curators, and other professionals from community organizations. Learn more about the 2024-2025 Exhibition Selection Committee below.

Proposals are selected based on quality of work as well as strength and clarity of concept. Additionally:

• Preference will be given to artists exhibiting new work and to proposals that include thoughtful programming that allows for community engagement.

• Artists are asked to consider whether their proposal aligns with New City Arts’ Mission, Vision, and Values as well as our Content Guidelines. If you are uncertain whether the theme or content of your proposal does this, please reach out. We would be happy to talk with you about you work and to share more about our space.

• A month-long Welcome Gallery exhibition;

• $1,250 exhibition stipend for a solo exhibition or in total for multiple artists in a group exhibition;

• professional installation assistance;

• exhibition photography for personal use;

• collaborative support from staff;

• communications including press and public outreach;

• an opening reception and support for additional programming during the exhibition period.

Exhibiting artists are responsible for

• laying out and taking down the exhibition. We are happy to provide assistance if needed.

• attending the exhibition opening reception which takes place on the first Friday of the month between 5 and 7:30PM.

• facilitating at least one community engagement event related to the exhibition (e.g., public reading/screening, workshop, performance, gathering)

• working with New City Arts Staff on promotion and preparation of the exhibition by providing exhibition materials (exhibition statement, bio, images, etc.) in the timeline provided to each selected artist.

Welcome Gallery is a small, store-front gallery space on Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall. Stop by Welcome Gallery Wednesday - Friday between 10AM and 5PM to see the gallery and to chat with staff. You can also view Welcome Gallery floor plans here.

Applicants must submit an Exhibition Application via Google Forms. Specific instructions and guidelines are provided on the form. Reach out to staff with any questions.

Yes! New City Arts staff do not make exhibition selections and are available to offer support with your exhibition proposal. Join us on March 27 from 5-7:30PM for an Application Assistance Workshop—RSVP here for the event. You are also welcome to reach out to Welcome Gallery Manager, Tori Cherry, with specific questions.