Display your work in one or both of South-Central Indiana’s most prominent gallery spaces in Bloomington.
In 2025, Pillar Arts saw more than $100,000 paid directly to artists through sales in our two gallery locations. Our combined galleries represent more than 100 Indiana artists with the majority local to Bloomington and Monroe County. These artists are juried in by their peers, set their own prices, and contribute time alongside gallery staff to maintain our professional retail gallery environments that support sales, and create inviting art spaces for the public to explore.
Additionally, Pillar Arts offers a bookable venue for community powered performance events and other small business resources for artists.
Which Gallery is Right For Me?
Pillar Arts maintains two ideal gallery retail opportunities for artists and creatives looking to expand their arts businesses. Our two distinct galleries have endured in the Bloomington community for years, and create very different sales opportunities for artists and their works.
Application at the bottom of the page.
https://artsalliancecenter.org
Arts Alliance Center
Our Arts Alliance Center in College Mall at 8,500 square feet always has something new. From a community powered bookable venue space to monthly rotating exhibits and unusual art installations, this gallery has become a hub for the arts in Bloomington with generous below-market terms agreeable to emerging and established artists alike. The Arts Alliance Center has become a space known for quality and experimental art alike. And for our regional artists seeking a foothold in Bloomington, we make that easy.
Arts Alliance Center is ideal for:
Emerging artists learning how to participate in a gallery ecosystem
Established artists looking for additional gallery representation
Artists seeking an active and supportive creative community
Artists selling independently created literature or recorded media
Regional artists exploring Bloomington Arts market opportunities
https://byhandgallery.com
By Hand Gallery
Our By Hand Gallery in Fountain Square, originally established in 1979 grew out of a member-managed model with many of those original legacy artists still on display with works for sale. This gallery is known for its deep Hoosier legacy, and has become a tourism staple during Bloomington's peak seasons. With an exhibition cycle that rotates slower on a 60 day cadence, patrons develop a deep and long term relationship with the artists and works available. An active First Friday's participant By Hand Gallery exhibits are regularly featured during the tourism event.
By Hand Gallery is ideal for:
Established artists looking to grow their area providence, status, or reputation
Craft/trade working artists with a large number of items to display and sell
Artists with proven success in other galleries or the Arts Alliance Center
Artistry that benefits from strong retail tourism cycles
Sell Your Art, Join Artists On Display
Artists are jury reviewed by peer artists and board members on a rolling basis. Some plans reduce your monthly fee in exchange for service hours powering our spaces; and building community while building your practice.
- All hanging work must be wire ready, no sawtooth hangers.
- We have special considerations and accommodations for literature and recorded music at Arts Alliance Center.
- Placement in one gallery does not imply placement in another. Each space operates as a distinct ecosystem.
- Artists seeking live event and performance opportunities are encouraged to pitch proposals with this form.
- Artists seeking to utilize our galleries for a stand-alone exhibit are encouraged to use this form.
- Pillar Arts membership is required to display in our galleries, but may be purchased after program participation is confirmed.
When you join the Artist on Display program, you secure exhibition space in one of our two galleries on a six-month renewable contract. Display fees start at $40/month in Arts Alliance Center and $100/month in By Hand Gallery.
Please Note: Some plans may reduce your monthly fee in exchange for service hours, helping you invest in the community while keeping your overhead low.
Apply to Sell Your Art
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01
Join Pillar Arts
Membership is required to sell your art. Join to gain access to select discounted resources, promotion, and support.
Become a Member -
02
Submit an Application
Fill out the form below. Submissions are juried by our committees on a rolling basis.
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03
Enter the Gallery
If selected, you'll receive a notification with next steps. Learn about the rental tiers, complete your art display agreement, and prepare your work.
Displaying
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Display Art Plan Options
We have different display plan options based on distinct needs of our two unique gallery spaces.
During your jurying process, the committee will suggest an agreement plan they believe is ideal to best display and sell your art. This is a negotiable process though. Please read ahead to learn more about what opportunities may be available to you.
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Arts Alliance Center Plans
Option 1: $40/month + Volunteer 8 hours/month at the Alliance Center, 15% commission
Option 2: $80/month + Volunteer 0 hours/month at the Alliance Center, 15% commission
Our galleries engagement track for artists on display is a non-profit community service “small business” program. We expect display artists invest service time at the gallery with their display agreement. This helps artists build community with other artists, creates an opportunity to talk with gallery patrons and art purchasers, and the retail experience grows the artist’s small business skills. We also understand that not all artists have the time, mobility, or ability to serve in our galleries as well. Please work with the jurying committee to discuss the plan that fits best for you.
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By Hand Gallery Plans
Option 1: $0/month + Volunteer 0 hours/month at By Hand, 40% commission
Option 2: $65/month + Volunteer 16 hours/month at By Hand, 20% commission
Option 3: $130/month + Volunteer 0 hours/month at By Hand, 20% commission
Our galleries engagement track for artists on display is a non-profit community service “small business” program. We expect display artists invest service time at the gallery with their display agreement. This helps artists build community with other artists, creates an opportunity to talk with gallery patrons and art purchasers, and the retail experience grows the artist’s small business skills. We also understand that not all artists have the time, mobility, or ability to serve in our galleries as well. Please work with the jurying committee to discuss the plan that fits best for you.
Please fill out our comprehensive application form for the jurying committee. The jurying committee is often comprised of gallery artists, long time volunteers, board members, and staff. The committee convenes within 30 days of an application being received, and follows up one on one. If an applicant goes more than 90 days without any communication from Pillar Arts, contact us.