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

By Degrees II (2023)

Call for Submissions

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

CSI Project Space
1912 N. Damen Ave.
(at the corner of Cortland and Damen, in the Bucktown neighborhood)

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

For any questions contact csiprojectspace@chicagosculpture.org