Big Ideas Small Spaces
A call for exhibition proposals.
Submissions open: October 26, 2026
Deadline: Dec 30, 2027
Applicants will be contacted after all submissions have been reviewed. no later than January 15th.
Proposals will be reviewed by a programming committee.
BIG IDEAS. SMALL SPACE.
A Open Call for Exhibition Proposals
Our smaller gallery may have a modest footprint, but it's the perfect place for big ideas.
In 2027, SCAA will present two special exhibitions in this space, selected from proposals submitted by SCAA members and non members. Each exhibition will be presented in May and October 2027 alongside a Member Invitational in the Main Gallery.
We're looking for ideas—not simply a collection of artwork. Maybe you've been thinking about an installation, an immersive display, a series that tells a story, a new body of work, or an unexpected way to use the space. Perhaps you want to experiment with a different medium or combine materials in a way you haven't tried before.
All media are welcome, including painting, photography, ceramics, sculpture, fiber, mixed media, sound, video, installation, and work that doesn't fit neatly into one category.
Think creatively about what you can do in a small space. We're interested in proposals with a clear concept, a distinctive point of view, or an approach we don't often see at SCAA.
Who Can Apply
This opportunity is an open call to SCAA members and non members working in any medium and of all experience levels
SCAA membership will be required if your proposal is accepted ($68 annual). See membership benefits.
Artists may submit proposals for a solo exhibition or a group exhibition. Group proposals may include multiple artists working together around a shared concept.
not sure if this is useful state.
Please note that solo proposals may be paired with another artist or artists if SCAA determines that a combined exhibition is a good fit for the space and programming.
What to Submit
Your proposal should include:
Show concept or artist statement — Tell us about the idea behind your proposed exhibition and what you envision for the space.
Artist resume — Include relevant exhibition history and other accomplishments.
Portfolio — Submit 8–10 representative images of your work in JPEG or PNG format. Please include the title, medium, and dimensions for each work.
Contact information — Name, email, phone, and website or online portfolio, if available.
If submitting a group proposal, please provide a show concept, proposed show title, and information for each participating artist, including a resume, statement, and representative work.
not sure if this is useful state.
Tour proposed work does not need to be completed. We're interested in the idea and your vision for bringing it to life.
Have a big idea?
We want to see it.
Timeline
Submissions open: November 1, 2026
Deadline: Jan 6, 2027
Selections announced: no later than January 15th
Applicants will be contacted after all submissions have been reviewed.
Proposals will be reviewed by a programming committee.
with questions: email all information and images to Sarah Lawhorne info@southcountyart.org
Draft submission google form
Draft Google Form: BIG IDEAS. SMALL SPACE.
2027 Exhibition Proposal
Form description:
Have a big idea for a small gallery?
SCAA is seeking proposals from members for two special exhibitions in our smaller gallery during 2027. We’re interested in ideas—not simply a collection of artwork.
Proposals may be for a solo exhibition or a group exhibition developed around a shared concept. All media are welcome.
Please tell us about your idea, how you envision using the space, and share representative examples of your work.
Submission deadline: December 31, 2027
Applicants will be contacted after all proposals have been reviewed.
Google Form:
SECTION 1 — About the Proposal
Are you applying for May or October
Multiple choice — Required
May only
October only
May and/or October
1. Is this proposal for:
Multiple choice — Required
Solo exhibition
Group exhibition
2. Proposed Exhibition Title
Short answer — Required
If you don't have a title yet, enter "Untitled."
3. Tell us about your exhibition idea.
Paragraph — Required
What is the concept, story, or idea behind the exhibition? What would visitors see or experience?
4. How do you envision using the small gallery?
Paragraph — Required
Tell us about the scale, arrangement, installation, or other ways you would make creative use of the space.
5. What media will the exhibition include?
Checkboxes — Required
Painting
Drawing
Photography
Printmaking
Ceramics
Sculpture
Fiber / Textiles
Mixed Media
Installation
Video
Sound
Digital / New Media
Other
Other: Short answer
SECTION 2 — Artist(s)
For a Solo Proposal
6. Artist Name
Short answer — Required
7. Email
Short answer — Required
8. Phone
Short answer — Optional
9. Website / Online Portfolio
Short answer — Optional
10. Artist Statement
Paragraph — Required
Briefly describe your work and artistic practice. How does it relate to the proposed exhibition?
11. Artist Resume
File upload — Required
Please include relevant exhibition history and other accomplishments.
12. Portfolio Images
File upload — Required
Upload 8–10 representative images of your work. JPEG or PNG format preferred. Please include the title, medium, and dimensions for each work.
13. Optional: Supporting Material
File upload — Optional
You may upload sketches, installation views, plans, or other material that helps us understand your proposal.
SECTION 2B — Group Proposal
For the group option, I'd use Google Forms' "Go to section based on answer" function after Question 1.
6. Group Description
Paragraph — Required
Who are the participating artists, and how are you connected through the proposed exhibition?
7. Number of Artists
Short answer — Required
8. Artist Information
For each participating artist, collect:
Name
Email
Website / Online Portfolio
Artist Statement
Resume
8–10 Representative Images
However, I would not create separate upload questions for every possible artist. That can make the form unwieldy.
Instead, ask the group organizer to upload one PDF containing the information for all participating artists, plus the image files.
9. Group Artist Information
File upload — Required
Please upload information for each participating artist, including:
Name and contact information
Artist statement
Resume/exhibition history
Website or online portfolio
8–10 representative images per artist, with title, medium, and dimensions
You may combine this information into one PDF or upload materials separately.
10. Optional: Supporting Material
File upload — Optional
Upload sketches, installation views, plans, or other material that helps communicate the proposed exhibition.
SECTION 3 — Bringing It Together
I'd have both solo and group applicants come back to this section.
14. How developed is the proposal?
Multiple choice — Required
It's an idea I'm just beginning to explore
I've started developing the work
I have work in progress
I have completed work that could be included
I have previously presented the work and want to develop it further
15. Are there any special installation requirements?
Checkboxes
No special requirements
Wall space
Floor space
Pedestals / display furniture
Electrical power
Video projection
Sound / audio
Ceiling hanging
Other
16. Please describe any special installation needs.
Paragraph — Optional
17. Is there anything else you'd like us to know?
Paragraph — Optional
SECTION 4 — Agreement
18. If selected, I understand that:
Checkboxes — Required
The exhibition must be installed and deinstalled according to SCAA's schedule.
The final presentation will need to work within the available gallery space.
SCAA may make adjustments to the proposed exhibition in consultation with the artist(s).
Confirmation Message
Thank you for thinking BIG in a small space!
Your proposal has been submitted for consideration for SCAA's 2027 exhibition program. Applicants will be contacted after the review process.
One Google Forms tip
I'd make the first question—Solo or Group Exhibition?—the branching question. That way a solo artist never has to scroll through the group questions, and a group doesn't have to work around a form designed primarily for one artist. It will make the application feel considerably shorter even though you're collecting essentially the same information.
Best practice for images
Show us examples of your most relevant work. 7-8 strong images of finished artwork.
File Specs:
JPG or PNG preferred
Minimum 2500 px wide or 300 dpi preferred
If in doubt email us the larges file you have.
Best practice:
Finished artwork
Well lit and sharply focused
Accurate color
Avoid:
poor cropping, distracting backgrounds or distortion.
