Open call information

The John Waldron Arts Center is hosting an open call for local and regional visual artists and art groups to exhibit work in 2026-2027 in the Rosemary P. Miller, Spotlight, Educational, and Playhouse Galleries from March 2 – April 12, 2026.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Artists must be 18 years of age or older.
• Regional and local artists and arts groups of 10 or fewer individuals are eligible to apply, but preference will be given to artists based in Bloomington, Indiana.
• All mediums of work are welcome, but please note the Spotlight Gallery is limited to 2D work.
• Entries must not be the product of or contain imagery derived by Artificial Intelligence
• Entries displaying nudity will not be considered

Application requirements:

• Exhibition Proposal (maximum of 250 words)
• Artist Statement (group statement if group artists) (maximum of 250 words)
• CV or resume (maximum of 3 pages)
• 10 images of artwork, for videos and multimedia works provide a link URL.
• Image list of artworks including title, medium, year, and dimensions.
• Complete Open Call Application Form

Questions? Contact gallery@seeconstellation.org.

Queer Ourselves Group Show Open Call

Queer Ourselves: Joy as Resistance

The queer experience is complex, multifaceted, and exists on an immeasurably diverse spectrum. It shifts from region to region, community to community, from person to person. Living one’s truth, existing unapologetically, and relishing in the euphoria and confidence that comes from determined authenticity, fosters the ability to resist and exist. Queerness is a continuous process, osculating between suffering through the denial of expressing one’s identity, and the strong-willed determination to exist in spite of homophobia, transphobia, misogyny, etc.

Yet, an infrequently highlighted component that acts as a throughline for these, and many other experiences, is joy. Queer joy is stimulated from the process of self-actualization, the resistance to minimize or hide for ease of social acceptance, and the never-ending pursuit of happiness on one own’s terms. To persist as one’s self in a politically and socially hostile paradigm is simultaneously stressful and empowering. It is a risk with high stakes but also high rewards.

It is undeniable, then, that our experience of joy be just as intersectional and complicated as our tribulations. Anger, frustration, sorrow, and fear might motivate us to act and react, but joy is the fuel that allows resistance to be continuous. Joy, self-love, and collective acceptance afford the queer community to remain present and empowered.

Recognizing the importance of community, this show asks regional artists to showcase their expression of “queer joy.” This exhibition invites us to share in this complex reality and lived experience: in all its triumphs, contradictions, collective and individual assertions.

Expectations of artists and exhibition staff

In the proposal, include a list of any desired events or programs (First Fridays, artist talks, etc.) to accompany the proposed exhibition, as well as what support is available (or not) to help hang the show.

Artists will be responsible for the transportation/shipping of artwork to/from the Waldron Arts Center or Constellation Playhouse. 

Constellation Stage & Screen is a nonprofit organization and does not take a commission from art sales.

Constellation will provide supervision and support to hang all shows selected for exhibition, in collaboration with featured artists. 

Constellation will provide marketing in the form of a press release, website inclusion and social media promotion for every exhibition. Artists must deliver all requested assets in a timely manner on a schedule set by Constellation.

 Constellation reserves the right to hold events in the gallery spaces during exhibitions. These events may include food and drinks. 

Constellation holds general liability insurance for all venues. Artists are strongly encouraged to insure their work independently.