Thirty Summers

Spend the summer season with 30 artists who are capturing what it means to live in Atlanta right now. Thirty Summers invites 30 artists to express how Atlanta has shaped them or fostered unique experiences, whether inspired by magic, mystery, or malaise. It’s a summer you won’t forget.

Thirty Summers will feature artworks in all mediums, spotlighting artists who have lived or worked in the Atlanta region during the last 5 years (2019-2024). Artworks must have been made in the last five years.

DATES

Application opens: April 4, 2024, 12:00pm | Apply online

Zoom Info Session: Saturday, April 13, 11am | Link to session

Closes: May 3, 2024, 11:59pm

Notifications: May 17, 2024

Drop Off: June 12-15, 2024, 11-5pm, Thurs 11-8pm

Exhibition Dates: June 22 – October 6, 2024

Pick Up: October 8-12, 2024

GUIDELINES

Artists of all levels of experience and working in all disciplines are welcome to apply. Artists must be 18 years of age and older living within the Metro Atlanta 11-counties designated as: Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, and Rockdale.

Artists can submit one (1) artwork for consideration for inclusion in the exhibition through the Submittable portal. For multidimensional work, artists are allowed up to three views. For Audio and Video submissions, please upload up to one minute of your work.

Artists are also asked to submit:

• Artist biography (250 words)
• Website or Instagram
• Artwork Details, including the name of the piece, media/materials list, dimensions, and year created
  
• A response to the prompt question (100 words)

Submissions will be reviewed by a blind jury consisting of AC staff members. The jurors will not see the artist bio; however, they will review the artwork images and prompt question responses. Please refrain from using any identifying characteristics, such as your first and last name or organizations you are affiliated with in your file titles and prompt question responses. No applications will be accepted outside of Submittable.

Applicants must agree to all terms: drop off and pick up dates, photography release, and loan conditions.

Questions? Read the FAQ below or download the entire Guidelines pdf.
Register for the FAQ Zoom session to ask questions not covered here.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Tell me more about the application. How do I apply?

The application consists of four parts:

1. Personal information

2. Website or Instagram link

3. Artist biography, Maximum 250 words

The Artist Biography should include your education, exhibition experience as well as notable publications, awards, and residency experiences you’ve had in 250 words or less. It will not be reviewed by the jury.

4. Artwork upload(s): Artists may submit up to 1) three high-resolution images or 2) a combination of video clip and images.

Accepted file types:

• Two-dimensional and three-dimensional works: JPG, TIF, PNG
• Video: MP4, MOV

File sizes and naming requirements:

• All file uploads should be titled according to the format: “AC_(Artwork Title)_(DateofWork).jpg.” Please do not include your name in the file name. Submissions that do not follow the file-naming convention may not be considered.
• File uploads may not exceed 400 MB in size.
• Images should be minimum 300 dpi and at least 1200px on the shortest side.
• Audio and Video file uploads may not exceed one minute of run time.

5. Artwork details

Artists must provide the following artwork details, which will be displayed on a label alongside the work. Please see the following FAQs for recommendations on artwork size and medium restrictions.

• Title
• Materials
• Size: Height x width x depth in inches and weight in pounds for 2D and 3D works.
• Video works: length in minutes.
• Year(s) of creation

6. Prompt (100 words): What does summer in Atlanta mean to you?

Tell us your favorite summer memory, activity, inspiration, etc. Your response will be included in your application to be reviewed by the jury, displayed on wall labels accompanying your work, and may be used in promotional materials for the show.

FAQ

Is there a fee for the application?

There is no application fee to submit to the Open Call.

What artwork medium and sizes are allowed in the exhibition?

Size restrictions

• Two-dimensional work : 72 x 72 inches
• Three-dimensional work: 36 x 36 x 36 inches
• All work must weigh less than 60 pounds
• Video work: No longer than 10 minutes. In your application, please upload a 1 minute highlight the work.

Please consider the length of audio and video based-work. Videos exceeding ten (10) minutes in total run time will be admitted to the exhibition, pending AC review. AC may provide audio-visual (AV) equipment for time-based media works. If accepted, an AC representative will reach out to inquire about AV specifications.

Are there any restrictions on materials?

Restricted Materials: If you submit an artwork containing the materials below, your work may be disqualified pending AC review.

• Flammables and explosives
• Weapons
• Food items
• Open liquids
• Fragrances, aerosols, vapors, smoke, and other air-bourne materials
• Living biological materials and organisms, including plants, bugs, and animals
• Any material that may attract pests, including select fibers and textiles, non-living organic materials, soil, etc.

How do I prepare my work to be “ready for display”?

All two-dimensional work, including fibers, textiles, and mixed media, must be framed, stretched, or mounted, and ready to hang on the wall upon arrival. The AC will not provide or install hanging hardware.

Recommendations for hanging hardware are as follows:

Accepted:

• D-rings
• Wall cleat
• Picture wire

AC will provide pedestals for installation of three-dimensional works as needed.

Any artwork using electrical power, including video artists providing their own technology, must be accompanied by written instructions on how to turn on and off the artwork.

How will work be selected?

The selection process will be anonymous. Submissions will be reviewed by an AC staff to ensure all eligibility and application requirements are met. The jury will then review the Artwork Uploads, Artwork Details, and Prompt Response.

Can I sell my work?

Atlanta Contemporary does not sell artwork and will not take part in the sales of any work. Any accepted work that is sold before or during the run of the exhibition must still be delivered to AC on one of the drop-off dates, remain installed for the entire duration of the exhibition, and be picked up during the specified deinstallation dates by the artists or a designated representative.

When does the exhibition open? Will there be an opening reception?

This exhibition opens with Art Party on June 22, 2024 from 6-11:59pm. Accepted artists receive 2 VIP tickets to the party.