By Degrees II (2023)

Call for Submissions

Above: Installation image from 2022 By Degrees exhibition, work by Christian Stone, Elisabeth Heying, and Olya Salimova.

Often an artist’s most groundbreaking work comes from being immersed in a culture of study and intellectual pursuit. Chicago, home to some of the most globally revered academic arts institutions, could be considered a sort of proving ground for tomorrow’s most promising contemporary emerging artists.

Chicago Sculpture International (CSI) is calling for artists who are enrolled in, or recently (2022 or later) graduated from a degree-seeking program to submit works of sculpture, installation and media work to be featured in the second annual juried group exhibition By Degrees, scheduled for August 5 - September 16, 2023 at CSI Project Space in Chicago. 

Artists will be able to submit up to 3 works for consideration. There is no fee for entry. Accepted artists will be granted a one year non-transferrable student membership to CSI.

This call is not limited to students and graduates of Chicago-area institutions, but accepted artists will be required to gallery sit for at least two 3-hour shifts (or a single 5-hour shift) during the run of the exhibition. 

Application Requirements:

• Applicants must be enrolled in, or recently (2022 or later) graduated from a degree-seeking program.

• Artwork submitted must be able to fit within a normal-sized single-door storefront.

• 1-3 jpeg images, or links to media files. Image files should not be larger than 2MB. Each artist may submit up to 3 artwork entries. 

• Artwork information that corresponds with submitted images; including title of work, material, dimensions, year, and sale price, if offered for sale. CSI retains a 30% commission on sales.

• Artist Statement.

• Contact information including email, address and phone number along with optional inclusion of website and Instagram handle.

• Accepted artists must commit to gallery sitting two 3-hour shifts (or one 5-hour shift) during the run of the exhibition. The gallery will be open Fridays and Saturdays, 1-6pm.

Application Form

Please complete the application form here.

Important Dates:

Application Deadline: Monday June 26, 2023 Midnight Central Standard Time

Notification by: Monday July 10, 2023
Work Drop-Off Date: Sunday July 29, 2023, 12-5pm

Opening Reception: Saturday, August 5, 2023, 6-9pm

Pick-Up/Deinstall Artwork: Sunday, September 17, 2023, 12-5pm

Exhibition Dates: Saturday August 5 - Saturday, September 16, 2023

Exhibition Hours: Fridays-Saturdays, 1-6pm and by appointment.

For any questions contact csiprojectspace@chicagosculpture.org