Juried Exhibition Call
submission deadline
Sunday, August 2, 2026 at 11:59 pm ET
Our flagship Exhibition Proposal Series is a seasonal opportunity for artists and curators to submit dreams for our 700 sq ft gallery in Cambridge. Last fall, Lonely Table premiered our first three artist exhibition curated from submissions. We now invite artists to share their work for consideration in our latest small group juried exhibition: Myth to Ritual.
Myth to Ritual will celebrate the vastness of storytelling and folklore traditions across geographies – stories derived from the natural world and our own imaginations, from crafting deities in the stars to finding companions within the shadows of the moon.
Individual U.S-based artists of all backgrounds are invited to apply with work that celebrates stories from childhood and family gatherings, or those that take on new shape and interpretation today. We welcome any diverse media that engages with fairy tales, folk stories, and mythology in meaningful and enduring ways.
Myth to Ritual serves as a testament to the enduring practice of shared cultural histories, folklore and mythology. It is our hope that this show alchemizes storytelling and contemporary art to generate new bonds of familiarity within the unknown parts of our imagination, the natural world, and our communities that we build.
Artists apply as individuals, not as a group. This show will be curated by Gallery 263 staff and board. This opportunity is ideal for artists to exhibit artwork that may be the start of a new series of work or experimental practices. Artists working in all mediums of all experience levels are encouraged to apply.
Interested applicants are encouraged to attend one of our virtual office hours to discuss any questions regarding their application. Applicants can receive general feedback on their writing, work selections, or framing. Sessions are drop in via GoogleMeet at 6-7 pm on July 20 and July 27, no appointment necessary!
Please note: Office hours are not a portfolio review and we cannot provide feedback on the likelihood of your submission being selected by the jury.
Additional benefit
Curated group show
Artists who submit proposals to this call but are ultimately not chosen for an exhibition will be considered for a curated group show featuring a select group of artists. This exhibition will take place in winter 2026. Submitting a proposal does not guarantee inclusion.
Important information
Qualifications, restrictions, and suggestions
Click to read
Submitted work
- Each artist can submit up to six artworks from a series of work for consideration. Three artists will be selected for an exhibition curated and installed by Gallery 263. The final exhibition may not feature every piece of artwork submitted by the selected artists.
- At least 50% of work submitted for review must be from the last two years.
- All media are welcome.
- All proposed installations must require less than 25% of floor surface area.
- Any A/V equipment required for the exhibit will need to be provided by the artist(s).
Artists and curators
- Only artists in the greater Northeast are eligible to submit their artwork for consideration.
- Artists must be able to hand deliver their artwork to the gallery if selected.
- A 1-2 paragraph artist statement is an important aspect of the submission process, allowing Gallery 263 to learn about the artworks submitted for the curatorial process of selecting three artists for an exhibition.
Gallery space
- Proposals should be made in consideration of Gallery 263’s space. Visiting us before applying is strongly encouraged.
- Exhibitions must be installed at the gallery in under 3 days.
- Sculpture and video-based installations must be considerate of the different programming (yoga, life drawing nights, music nights, etc) at Gallery 263. Ideal locations for 3D work include the windows, wall mounted sculpture, and pedestals. Ideal presentation of video work is on monitors, provided by the artist. Please contact Doug at [email protected] for any questions about installation work.
- Gallery 263 is located in a residential neighborhood with large storefront windows and is adjacent to a school bus stop. As such, the gallery is mindful about artwork that contains nudity or sexually suggestive imagery. Gallery 263 welcomes submissions of artwork containing nudity, and if selected to be included in an exhibition, the artist may have to collaborate with gallery staff to meet the needs of both the artist and the local Cambridge community. Possible precautions taken by the gallery may include the right to decide on the location of artwork in the gallery, frosting a bottom section of glass in the main windows, and/or additional disclaimers located at the gallery entrance. Furthermore, the gallery reserves the right to use its discretion with the type of content it disseminates on its channels, including emails, the website, and social media. If artists are unsure if their artwork would be suitable for presentation in the gallery, please contact the exhibitions director before submitting your artwork at [email protected].
Considerations
Click to read
- Gallery 263 staff and board collectively review all submissions in a democratic process involving hours of thorough reviewing of each submission. Each review results in one exhibition selection.
- Many factors may influence the panel’s decisions for selecting Exhibition Proposal Series exhibitions. The EPS program intends to provide career development and experience for visual artists and aims to share high quality and concept driven exhibitions with our local community. A successful proposal considers our unique, multifunctional space and engages our audience visually and conceptually. Read about our mission.
A note on submission fees
Gallery 263, a small nonprofit organization, operates on the generosity of volunteer board members, a few staff members, and local volunteers who are artists and art lovers, like you. We care deeply about what we do and appreciate your understanding that we are human, too.
While submission fees are not the sole financial income for Gallery 263, as we work year-round to solicit donations from our community partners, local businesses, and grant opportunities, they do comprise around 30% of our operating budget. These fees allow us to do the following:
- Offer fair, market-rate compensation for our four part time staff and rotating jurors
- Not take any commission on sold work. Artists keep 100% of their sales
- Keep the majority of our public programming free and open to all
- Donate two weeks of our exhibitions calendar for Morse Elementary School art students to show work in the space
In 2025, we implemented a tiered submission fee system with the goal of making the submission process more accessible and inclusive for artists who may face financial barriers, while, at the same time, making sure the financial stability of the gallery is considered. We are continuously working to find ways to help lessen this financial obligation for artists.
If submission fees pose an undue burden for you, please email us at [email protected]. We have a handful of fee waivers available per call. Anyone who is interested in volunteering may also be eligible to receive a discounted or waived submission.
Submission Form
2026 Fall Open Call: Folklore Group Show
Please fill out the submission form completely below. If you are having issues with your submission when submitting through the website, please try reducing your file sizes and using a different internet browser. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
"*" indicates required fields
