Exhibition Proposals

In GCCA’s galleries, our art exhibitions aim to educate, inspire, and foster diverse ideas while embracing innovative, contemporary approaches to the visual arts.

Please note that the Community Gallery and Main Gallery are distinct exhibition spaces, each with its own layout and requirements. We strongly encourage artists to review the criteria for each gallery and, if possible, visit the art center before submitting a proposal to ensure the chosen gallery aligns with their vision. Regional and national artists submitting to the Main Gallery should carefully review the floor plan to ensure it suits their scope of work before submitting their proposal.

We do not accept exhibition proposals via email or traditional mail. All proposals must be submitted through our online application form using the corresponding gallery buttons below. Submission does not guarantee acceptance. If selected, artists will receive an exhibition agreement along with additional details.

Artists are responsible for the delivery and return of their work. Initial shipping costs must be covered by the artist, curator, or group.

Main Gallery Proposals

GCCA’s Main Gallery is a premier venue dedicated to showcasing innovative, contemporary visual art from all disciplines. Spanning approximately 3,250 square feet of versatile exhibition space, the gallery has hosted works from local, regional, and national artists. With a movable wall system, the space allows for flexible layouts, providing a unique and ever-changing environment for each exhibition.

We present six exhibitions annually, each lasting approximately two months, ensuring ample opportunity for visibility and engagement. GCCA also includes support for installation, ensuring a seamless and professional experience for selected artists.

This exhibition space is open to artists from across the continental United States, providing a remarkable opportunity to present your work in a professional setting.

Main Gallery Proposals Criteria & Requirements

The deadline to submit proposals for the 2027 calendar year is September 12, 2025. You may submit your proposal at any time but please note that review will not occur until Fall 2025.

Proposal Criteria

You may submit any proposal for a visual art related exhibition. The GCCA Exhibition Committee reviews and scores Main Gallery exhibition proposals based on the following criteria:

Consistency of Quality: The work demonstrates a high and consistent level of artistic excellence.
Clarity of Concept: The proposal presents a strong, well-defined theme or objective.
Alignment with GCCA’s Mission: Update with new mission statement
For Individual Artists: Only original artwork created and executed by the applicant will be considered.
For Curators & Group Proposals: Curated exhibitions featuring multiple artists may be considered. Only artists listed in the proposal form will be reviewed.

Submission Requirements

Artist Statement(s) & Bio(s)
Full Exhibition Description
CV or Résumé
8–10 Images of Artwork (Representative of the proposal or the actual work to be displayed)

Non-Refundable $30 Application Fee (Required for Main Gallery proposals; must be submitted electronically with the application form)

Submit Your Main Gallery Proposal

Main Gallery Floor Plan

Floor Plan Video Goes Here

Download Floor Plan

Community Gallery Proposals

GCCA’s Community Gallery was established to offer a platform that connects local artists from Upstate South Carolina with a broader audience, providing an opportunity to showcase their work and contribute to the region’s cultural landscape. The Community Gallery Committee invites artists (18+) as well as non-profit, community-based organizations to submit proposals for solo and group exhibitions.

Community Gallery Criteria

The proposal process is open exclusively to artists, organizations, and groups based in Upstate South Carolina. The deadline to submit your proposal for exhibitions scheduled from November 2026 to October 2027 is December 15, 2025.

Criteria

Artist(s), Curator, or group must have residence in Upstate South Carolina.
Point of contact information
Bio & exhibition description
5 – 10 images of artwork for review
$15 non-refundable exhibition proposal fee

Submit Your Community Gallery Proposal

Tips for Strong Exhibition Proposals:

Writing An Artist Statement:

Use clear language, avoiding art jargon and buzzwords.
Open with a strong, clear sentence that communicates your idea.
Be specific when writing about your work. Rather than describing your practice generally, write about the specific project or artwork that you want to exhibit, and make a clear, compelling case for its inclusion.

Images of Work:

Be sure to submit high-quality images of your work. The stronger your images, the stronger the proposal.
Indicate whether the accompanying images are images you are proposing for exhibition, or are representative images only.

Consider Exhibition Space Before Applying:

Consider the scale and layout of the gallery space. We strongly recommend reviewing the Main Gallery Floor Plan before submitting your proposal to that gallery. Describe your exhibition plan in your proposal: how will viewers experience or engage with the artwork?
Identify any special equipment or other requirements you may need for installation purposes. If your proposal hinges on something related to the limitations of the gallery space, send us a short email asking if installation is possible. We are happy to let you know. Proposals may be rejected if they aren’t realistic for our space.