Art Exibits
CALL FOR ARTISTS OPENS DECEMBER 9!
APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED
December 9, 2024-January 24, 2025
The Morton Public Library is currently seeking exhibit proposals from solo artists and groups for our 2025 gallery season.
The Morton Public Library welcomes groups, organizations or individuals to display art that is engaging to a broad public audience of all ages (including young children) and suitable for display in a multi-function space that also hosts workshops, library programs and other events. The aim of the Morton Library gallery space are to create space where artists and patrons are welcome to connect, to provide career development opportunities for artists by providing gallery space to display their work and to offer an inclusive, all ages art experience for patrons of Morton Library.
The 2025 gallery season will begin in March 2025. Exhibits are approximately eight weeks long.
About Our Gallery Space:
The Morton Public Library Gallery space is located in the Reuling Room at the front of the library and hosts many library programs and other community meetings.
GALLERY HIGHLIGHTS
AUDIENCE: The gallery is open during library hours, bringing a broad public audience to exhibits throughout the year.
PUBLICITY: Gallery exhibits are advertised on the library’s digital sign, and through social media, as well as on the library website and in the Morton Courier.
ELIGIBILITY
Emerging and experienced local artists from the Peoria area are eligible to submit proposals for exhibits
Applicants may be solo artists or the designated representative of a group/guild of artists with an organized exhibit. There are separate applications for Group and Solo applicants.
Important: Group exhibits are required to have a single designated contact person/Group Representative who commits to drop off and pick up artwork, sign the consignment contract, and coordinate all details and logistics on behalf of the group.
We are looking for applicants with a cohesive body of work to fit the gallery space, typically 20-40 pieces.
Most 2D mediums are eligible for exhibition with the following considerations: all artwork considered for the gallery must be original work of the artist and framed or otherwise prepared for display in a professional manner. At this time the Library cannot accommodate 3D work.
Artwork must be available for display for a full exhibit period selected for the 2025 gallery season. Exhibits open on a Monday and close on a Saturday.
Artists/Group Representatives must be able to check in with the curator in-person or by phone or email approximately one month prior to the exhibit opening to finalize all logistics.
Artists/Group Representatives must be able to travel to the Morton Library in-person for the following appointments:
To set up artwork in person.
To pick up artwork in person.
If accepted for an exhibit, Artists/Group Representatives agree to be punctual with gallery deadlines, appointments, and communication by email and phone with Library staff and commit to the dates and deadlines set forth in the application.
EXHIBIT PERIODS AND RELEVANT DATES
Applicants must have artwork available for a two-month period during one of the following six exhibition periods. In addition to having their artwork available for display for at least one of the exhibition periods, the applicant must be able to meet with the library staff and drop off/pick up artwork in-person at the Morton Library in downtown Morton according to the dates listed below.
EXHIBIT 1
March 17- April 25, 2025
Artwork installation: week of March 10
Artwork removal: week of April 28
EXHIBIT 2
May 5- June 27, 2025
Artwork installation: week of April 28
Artwork removal: week of June 30
EXHIBIT 3
July 7-August 29, 2025
Artwork installation: week of June 30
Artwork removal: week of Sept. 1
EXHIBIT 4
September 8-October 31, 2025
Artwork installation: week of Sept. 1
Artwork removal: week of Nov. 3
EXHIBIT 5
November 10-December 31, 2025
Artwork installation: week of Nov. 3
Artwork removal: week of Jan. 5, 2026
ARTWORK CONTENT GUIDELINES
Artwork must be suitable for a broad general audience of all ages, including young children (G-rated), and appropriate for display in a public, government facility. We select exhibits that are amenable to a flexible space with varying needs, such as: library programs, public meetings and other events.
Artwork must be in excellent condition for viewing: free of dust and damage, framed or on stretched canvas, or otherwise prepared for display in a professional manner.
All 2D artwork must be ready-to-hang in our gallery space. We use Walker-track system (see https://walkerdisplay.com/gallery/)
The Library Director has final determination in selections for artwork and layouts for exhibits.
SALES
Works of art on display may be offered for sale with the artist responsible for conducting the sale of any work directly with the buyer. The Library will provide the public names and contact information of the artist upon request.
Artwork that is sold must remain on display for the full duration of the exhibit.
The library does not collect any commission from works sold. Artists may exhibit work that is not for sale, but will still need to supply a value for all pieces for documentation
LIABILITY
The Library does not provide any separate insurance coverage for displayed materials and is responsible for any loss or damage to the work caused by fire, theft, or vandalism while it is under Library’s control, but only to the extent that the Library is negligent and such negligence is the sole cause of the loss or damage to the work.
SELECTION PROCESS
Final exhibits are selected by Morton Public Library staff
Selection criteria include:
1. Artistic Considerations: Composition and design, visual impact, technical craftsmanship, originality, and cultural significance.
2. Logistical Considerations: Eligibility of artist and proposal according to guidelines, including artwork readiness for display, commitment to deadlines, quality of proposal/application materials, etc. In addition, priority may be given to local and new artists.
3. Overall Gallery Season Considerations: diversity of themes and representation across all exhibits, facility logistics and other practical and logistical considerations specific to our building and its functions. The Library’s programmatic need for exhibit space takes precedence over the public’s request to use such areas.
Artists will be notified no later than February 10, 2025
Please hold off on inquiring about the status of your application before February 10, 2025.
HOW TO APPLY
Please complete this form.
Questions?
Send an email to:
questions@mortonlibrary.org
(Allow up to 1 week for responses during the open application period)