Exhibition Proposals

GCCA’s exhibitions strive to educate and inspire by promoting diverse ideas while encouraging innovative, contemporary approaches to visual arts.

Exhibition proposals submitted via email or traditional mail will not be accepted. All submissions must be completed via the online application form using the buttons below for the corresponding gallery to which you plan to submit. Proposal submissions do not guarantee acceptance for an exhibition. An exhibition agreement and additional information will be provided if the proposal is accepted.

The artist is responsible for delivery of work to and from GCCA. Initial shipping costs will be the responsibility of the artist/curator/group. 

Main Gallery Proposals

GCCA’s Main Gallery values art that represents innovative, contemporary practices. Approximately 2,000 square feet of exhibition space is provided and has featured the work of local, regional, national, and international artists from all disciplines of visual art. Our movable gallery wall system allows for dynamic designs and fresh experiences for every exhibition. Six exhibitions are featured per year and each exhibition runs for approximately two months.

The deadline for Main Gallery exhibition proposals for the 2026 calendar year will be announced later in 2024. 

Artwork Criteria

Main Gallery exhibition proposals will be reviewed and scored by the GCCA Exhibition Committee using the following criteria:

  • Work reflects consistency of quality

  • Work reflects clear objectives and a strong overall concept or theme

  • Work represents GCCA’s mission to enrich the cultural fabric of the community through visual arts promotion, education, and inspiration

  • For Individual Artists: Only original artwork created and executed by the applicant will be considered for exhibition.

  • For Curators & Group Proposals: Curated proposals composed of a group artists may be considered. Only artists listed on the proposal form may be reviewed for consideration.  

Submission Requirements

  • Artist statement(s) and artist bio(s)

  • Exhibition description

  • CV or resume

  • 6 – 8 images of artwork

  • A non-refundable $30 application fee submitted electronically with the application form (Main Gallery proposals only)

Submit your work
View Floor Plan

Community Gallery Proposals

GCCA established its Community Gallery to provide a venue that introduces local, Upstate South Carolina artists to a broader audience and creates a platform to showcase their artwork. The Community Gallery Committee invites artists (18+) and non-profit, community-based organizations to submit work and collaborative art project ideas for an opportunity to exhibit both solo and group shows in the GCCA Community Gallery spaces. The Community Gallery Committee will review all submissions and select six exhibitions for the coming year. Exhibitions are approximately eight weeks in length and include assistance with installation.

The Community Gallery proposal process is open only to artists, organizations, and groups located in Upstate South Carolina. Deadline to be considered for the September 2024 – May 2025 Community Gallery exhibition calendar is January 26th, 2024 at 11:59 PM.

Submission Requirements

  • Point of contact information

  • Bio & exhibition description

  • 5 – 10 images of artwork for review

Submit your work

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.