Calls for Art

27th International Open: February 28–March 28, 2026
Woman Made Gallery seeks entries in all media by women and non-binary artists worldwide for its 27th International Open. This open theme encourages entries that explore or challenge conceptual and material boundaries. The exhibition will be held at Woman Made Gallery, located at 1332 S. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60607.
Awards: 1st Place $500 | 2nd Place $250 | 3rd Place $100 | 4th Place Honorable Mention. Juror: Nirmal Raja
Entry Due Date: December 26, 2025, 11:59 PM | Entry Fee: $35

Quiet, Piggy: We Cannot Be Silenced (Virtual Exhibition): January 24–February 28, 2026
WMG invites women and non-binary artists to confront and subvert misogynistic language through bold, resilient creative expression. This virtual exhibition showcases artwork that reclaims agency, challenges derogatory narratives, and amplifies voices refusing erasure—affirming art’s power to speak truth, spark dialogue, and resist silence. Up to three works per entry; any medium. Juror: Julie Carpenter
Final Entry Due Date: December 31, 2025, 11:59 PM | Entry Fee: $15

(Other Exhibitions with Calls for Art will be listed here early in 2026)

WMG Call for Words: My Abortion: My Choice

OPEN CALL | Ongoing

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ABOUT JURIED EXHIBITIONS

Woman Made Gallery (WMG) hosts between seven and nine exhibitions annually, five of which are juried exhibitions and open to submissions from women and nonbinary artists. These juried exhibitions explore a wide variety of themes and connect women and nonbinary artists with high-profile art industry professionals and foster dialogue within contemporary feminism and social justice.

The WMG programming committee (composed of WMG staff, board, and volunteers) identifies initial themes and potential jurors, and collaborates with each juror to develop the exhibition themes.

Our list of jurors include:
Alison Wong (Director and Curator at Wasserman Projects, Detroit), Dolores Mercado (Associate Curator at National Museum of Mexican Art), Jessica Bingham (artist, mother, and recent Curator at University Galleries of Illinois State University, Normal, IL), Juana Williams (Independent Curator, Detroit), Mia Lopez (Assistant Curator at the DePaul Art Museum in Chicago), Kathryn Markel (Director of Markel Fine Arts, New York City), Whitney LaMora (Curator at The Martin and LOCUS, Chicago), Amy Galpin (Chief Curator at Frost Art Museum of Florida International University), Sam Kirk (Multidisciplinary Artist, Chicago), Barbara Ciurej and Lindsay Lochman (collaborative photographers, Milwaukee, WI), Dorit Jordan Dotan (multi-media artist, Chicago), Indira Freitas Johnson (artist and educator, Chicago), among others.

ELIGIBILITY

Woman Made Gallery is a space for women and nonbinary artists from our local community, regional locations, and around the world. We welcome art from all women, including trans women and femme/feminine-identifying genderqueer and nonbinary artists.

• Originality: All work must be the sole creation of the submitting artist(s). Collaborative works are accepted if all artists meet eligibility criteria and are properly credited.
• AI Use: Artists may use AI tools for research or inspiration, but artworks must be created by the artist and not primarily generated by AI. Submissions consisting of AI-generated images, text, or objects with minimal human intervention will not be included.
• Exhibited Work: Artwork previously shown at Woman Made Gallery is not eligible for resubmission. Works must address the theme of the exhibition. A short artist statement is required.
• Size/Format: Works may not exceed 6 feet horizontally or be over 75 pounds unless delivered and picked up by the artist. Artworks must be hand-delivered or shipped to the gallery “ready to exhibit.” Video, sound, and digital works should be accompanied by clear instructions for presentation.

ENTRY FEE

Unless indicated otherwise, WMG juried exhibitions require an entry fee of $35. Only one submission may be entered per artist. Each submission requires at least one and up to three artworks. Selections are made by respective jurors. A paid submission does not guarantee an exhibition opportunity. Entry fees are nonrefundable.

Members at the Enhanced Artist Level and above receive one free entry annually. Please email general@womanmade.org to receive your one-time code for a free entry redemption.

WMG offers fee waivers to those who request them. WMG offers around 30 fee waivers per juried exhibition. To acknowledge the historic inequities of wealth distribution, 15 of the 30 are exclusively reserved for ALAANA/BIPOC and/or LGBTQIA+. Factors that result in an approved application include financial instability or low-income status, student or recent graduate status, identification as ALAANA/BIPOC and/or LGBTQIA+, or another demonstrated need. WMG accepts Fee Waiver Requests on a rolling basis until all fee waivers have been distributed. The team at WMG will approve requests and send a submittal fee waived link within three days to the applicant.

Please send an email to general@womanmade.org to request a fee waiver.

TERMS OF EXHIBITION

Woman Made Gallery expects accepted artworks to arrive to the gallery as pictured and with the installation requirements submitted at the time of application. A limited number of accommodations may be made but must be approved by WMG at the time of artist contract agreements. An artist contract agreement with the full terms of exhibition will be distributed for agreement to all accepted artists upon acceptance notification. Terms of exhibition include the final exhibition schedule, shipping and delivery, installation requirements, an insurance disclaimer, art sales and commissions, right of reproduction of digital files and images, and website and publicity requirements, among others. For details on the terms of exhibition, please review the information for each call for art or email general@womanmade.org with questions.