ABOUT THE SALT LAKE CITY ARTS COUNCIL AND FINCH LANE GALLERY

The mission of the Salt Lake City Arts Council is to promote, present, and support Utah-based artists, arts organizations, and arts activities in order to further the development of the arts community and to benefit the public by expanding awareness, access, and participation. Located in Reservoir Park, the Salt Lake City Arts Council’s Finch Lane Gallery is a contemporary space featuring rotating visual arts exhibitions. Each year, the gallery presents seven six-week exhibition sessions across its two gallery spaces, each accompanied by artist receptions.

For more information on the Salt Lake City Arts Council and Finch Lane Gallery, visit saltlakearts.org or https://saltlakearts.org/programs/apply-to-exhibit

EXHIBITION INFORMATION

Both established and emerging artists are invited to apply for exhibits at the Finch Lane Gallery. The exhibition program is designed to: give Utah-based artists an opportunity to exhibit a current body of work; explore themes or media relevant to the community and broader arts field; and foster the development of curatorial skills through exhibition production and collaboration. The application process occurs annually and includes a thorough and competitive review by the Visual Arts Committee of the Salt Lake City Arts Council.

This application process is to select artists for the 2026 exhibition schedule, which will run January 12 through December 18, 2026. Exhibitions at the Finch Lane Gallery are scheduled for six weeks in duration in two exhibitions spaces (West Gallery and East Gallery). Artists accepted for exhibition of new work should be aware that their show may be scheduled to open as early as January 2026 or as late as November 2026.

VIRTUAL QUESTION & ANSWER SESSION

On Thursday, April 3, 2025, at 3 PM, there will be a review of the guidelines and tips on completing the application, and time for questions and answers. Registration is not required. The session will be recorded and available for viewing afterward. The session will be held over Zoom (meeting ID: 819 6396 2664).

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81963962664?pwd=A8LykeGQ2pjCMJTJKWz3fQTHWHbSaf.1

Passcode: finchlane

ELIGIBILITY

This Call for Entries is open to all artists, artist-led teams, and/or curators residing in Utah regardless of race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, religion, marital status, political opinion or affiliation, or mental or physical disability. All visual arts media including new genres are considered.

APPLICATION PROCESS

There is no fee to apply. To be considered for an exhibition, applicants must be residents of Utah and submit all the required materials. Emailed, mailed, or hand-delivered materials will not be accepted. Only completed applications will be considered. Applicants will not be notified if disqualified due to incomplete or noncompliant submissions.

APPLICATION TIMELINE

Applications must be submitted by Sunday, April 27, 2025, 11:59 PM.

Notifications on application status will be sent the week of June 16, 2025.

EXHIBITION SCHEDULE

• January 12 – February 20, 2026 
• March 2 – April 10, 2026
• April 17 – May 29, 2026
• June 8 – July 17, 2026
• July 27 – September 4, 2026
• September 14 – October 23, 2026
• November 2 – December 18, 2026

GALLERY SPACES

East Gallery

• Approximately 918 square feet
• Walls 100” high
• Multiple pedestals of varying sizes available for 3D work

West Gallery

• Approximately 550 square feet
• Walls 100” high
• Multiple pedestals of varying sizes for 3D work

RESOURCES

The Finch Lane Gallery can provide exhibiting artists with gallery space and basic digital media technology (projector, media player, TV), and visibility on Salt Lake City Arts Council social media platforms.

HONORARIUM

Each artist/curator/organizer will receive an honorarium of $500 for the exhibition of their work. For group shows, the honorarium will go to the exhibition curator or organizer; applicants are responsible for all other associated costs and materials.

SALE OF ARTWORK

The Arts Council will manage sales of artwork during the exhibition and retain a 30% commission on any artwork sold. Artwork that is sold may not be removed until the exhibition closes. Work does not have to be for sale. Artists are responsible for pricing their work. Proceeds from sales will be reinvested into the Visual Arts Program.

REVIEW CRITERIA & SELECTION PROCESS

Applications are reviewed by the Salt Lake City Arts Council’s Visual Arts Committee, which is comprised of Arts Council staff and board members, artists who have exhibited work at the Finch Lane Gallery, and other artists from the community. 

The Committee will review the following:

• Artist demonstrates strong technical, conceptual, and/or aesthetic skills in the execution of their work;
• Artist has a meaningful relationship to the content and/or community involved in the work, and themes addressed in the exhibition feel relevant and deeply considered;
• Artist proposes new works that have not been exhibited elsewhere, or have not been exhibited in Utah within the past year;
• Artist’s ability to produce the proposed exhibition within the given timeline; 
• Plurality of expression and balance of media for the exhibition calendar year; 
• Completeness and clarity of the application.

The Committee and Arts Council staff reserve the right to make final decisions on which works are appropriate for a gallery within a publicly funded space.

APPLICATION MATERIALS

Artist Bio (50-200 words) If applying as a group, include bio of the lead artist.

Exhibition Proposal (150-500 words) This may include the artist statement, general concept for the show, techniques used, the medium and scale in which you work, evolution of your work, and/or inspiration behind your show.

List of all artists proposed (if group exhibition)

Current Resume/CV not to exceed two pages. If applying as a group, include Resume/CV for lead artist or curator and short bios for all other artists. Resume/CV should be of pertinent art-related information.

Work Samples representative samples of proposed work for the exhibition, or images of recent work that demonstrate artist’s practice. Each file must include artist’s name, title of work (if applicable), medium, date produced, dimensions, total run time (if a video) and indicate whether the work has been exhibited in other Salt Lake City venues in the past year. This information is requested in the form upon image upload.

Digital images

• Include 5-10 images. If more than 2 artists, include 2-3 images per artist.
• Images must be JPG files.
• Preferred image dimensions are at least 1,000 pixels in either height or width.

Video samples

• Include no more than 3 samples.
• Each video should be a maximum of 2 minutes.
• Videos must be in MP4 or MOV format.
• Maximum individual file size is 400MB. Total application submission size must not exceed 800MB.

APPLICATION SUPPORT

If you do not have access to computers or WiFi to apply, the Main Library Branch of the Salt Lake City Public Library System offers free computer and WiFi access. If you require further resources to complete the application materials or have other questions, email Todd Oberndorfer at todd.oberndorfer@slc.gov.

We do our best to respond to inquiries promptly; however, we may not be able to reply during the final days before the application deadline. Please allow ample time to complete and submit your application.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Salt Lake City Arts Council will be responsible for the final selection of artwork, exhibition installation, insurance, printing and mailing of announcements, opening reception, gallery strolls, press releases, and management of sales.

Artists will be responsible for providing biographical materials, an artist statement, and several color images of different works that will be featured in the exhibition for marketing purposes. These materials must be submitted several weeks prior to the exhibition opening. An artwork loan sheet must be delivered to the gallery up to three weeks before the exhibition. All artwork must be delivered one week before the exhibition opening, labeled and ready to install. Two-dimensional work may use the gallery’s hanging system. In some cases, artists will be asked to assist with installation methods or materials requiring additional support. For digital media, artists may be required to provide their own equipment. Works selected for exhibition may not be withdrawn during the run of the exhibition and must be picked up immediately after the closing date. Artists are encouraged to attend the opening reception and gallery strolls and are invited to give a brief artist talk at the opening reception.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Please contact Todd Oberndorfer, Salt Lake City Arts Council Visual Arts Coordinator and Finch Lane Gallery Director, if you have any questions about submitting your proposal.

Todd Oberndorfer

todd.oberndorfer@slc.gov

801-535-6512