The Arts Alliance Center hosts twelve 30-day exhibits each year, while By Hand Gallery hosts six 60-day exhibits. By Hand Gallery features its 60-day exhibits every month from 5pm-8pm during Bloomington’s First Fridays Gallery Walk events.
We say Yes to Solo Shows, Group Exhibits, Themed Installations
Propose a show in one of our two distinct neighborhood galleries. Our programming committee reviews submissions and considers scheduling on a rolling basis. Community powered exhibits are an exciting part of our programming, but the Pillar Arts programming committee maintains a responsibility for a fully scheduled exhibit calendar please approach us as early in your process as possible for scheduling.
Our exhibits are curated presentations of artistic or creative media work in one of our galleries for the scheduled period of time. The exhibits are available to the public for free visitation during regular gallery operating hours. Exhibits at By Hand Gallery in Fountain Square are featured from 5pm – 8pm during Bloomington’s First Fridays Gallery Walk. Exhibits at Arts Alliance Center in College Mall are not. Currently Bloomington’s Gallery Walk is a program exclusive to the Downtown neighborhoods.
Exhibiting with Pillar Arts may come with fees, commission negotiations, and/or revenue sharing. These compensation details are discussed with you after you have proposed your exhibit idea and our committees have an opportunity to discuss.
Selling Exhibiting Work
If an artist or a group intends to sell work during an exhibit, they must coordinate with the respective gallery manager at least 2 weeks in advance of the opening.
Art sold during exhibit is processed through the Pillar Arts Square point of sale system and inventory need to be entered into the system early and appropriately to ensure responsible and timely payout to the artist. Artists are not required to sell work at an exhibit, and artists are also permitted to operate their own independent point of sale system separate from Pillar Arts.
Exhibit Promotion
Pillar Arts places exhibits into our online community calendar, includes them on our exhibits webpage, in our twice-monthly newsletter, and announces them on our social media. Artists and groups are strongly encouraged to promote to their own audiences, and flyer the community. Pillar Arts can provide a limited budget for additional print marketing, but show and reception success are driven by each artists ability to get the word out.
Exhibit Art with Pillar Arts
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Join Pillar Arts
Membership is encouraged. Join to gain access to discounts on select resources, promotional boosting, and support. Membership is also required for participation in our Artists on Display program.
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Submit an Application
Complete the form below as best you can to better help us understand your exhibit There are no wrong answers. Submissions are evaluated by our committees on a rolling basis, and booking dates are subject to programming availability.
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Prepare to Exhibit
If selected you'll receive notification with next steps.
Please fill out our comprehensive application form for the programming committee. The programming 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.
Want to display longer?
The Pillar Arts Artist on Display program may be a better fit. You set your prices. You keep most of the sale. Display in our galleries on a rolling monthly contract with a generous gallery commission. Learn more about the Artist on Display program and it’s expectations.