A Guide to Participating in Open Art Calls with Round Rock Arts.
General Rules
- Media, size, and weight limitations vary per gallery and per show. Please review show pages for details.
- By submitting an application the the call, you agree to the Artist Agreement and Waiver of Liability (below).
Eligibility
- Entrants must be at least 16 years old.
- Artists under 18 must have written parental consent.
Originality
- Only original artwork of original subject matter created by the submitting artist is accepted.
- No AI-generated artwork will be accepted.
- Please do not enter artwork that has been on display at the same gallery within the past 24 months.
- Artwork that violates copyright will not be accepted.
Reproductions
Limited edition prints of your original artwork are accepted. Prints must be clearly labeled as reproductions both in the submission and on the artwork (for example, limited edition and edition number, if applicable).
Prints are eligible for exhibition and Honorable Mention awards but are not eligible for First, Second, or Third Place awards.
Availability
- Submitted work must be available for the full duration of the exhibit and not booked elsewhere for the same dates.
- All artwork must be available for sale to the public.
Commitment
Accepted work must remain on view for the entire show. No substitutions or early removals are allowed.
Content
Artwork must be family-friendly and suitable for public display.
Liability
All artists must accept the Artist Agreement & Waiver of Liability during the application process.
Right of Rejection
Round Rock Arts reserves the right to reject any work that is:
- Unsafe
- Misrepresented
- Not exhibition-ready (see Getting Your Artwork Exhibition-Ready below)
- In violation of any stated requirements
Please note: Submitting identifiable photographs of children is highly discouraged and should be carefully considered. Please review our guidance on photographing children.
Detailed Rules and Guidelines Once Your Art Has Been Accepted
Getting Your Artwork Exhibition-Ready
Labeling Your Artwork
Label the back of each piece with:
- Artist Name
- Title of Work
- Selling Price
- Phone Number
- Email Address
Round Rock Arts will use your application to create the gallery label and artwork description.
Display Requirements for 2D Artwork
Framing
Framing matters. Do not underestimate the importance of appropriate framing when submitting a work for consideration.
- Frames must be sturdy, well-made, and properly wired.
- Framed artwork must be secured in the frame by standard methods (e.g., nails or points; no tape).
- Canvas works less than 1″ thick must be framed.
- Pastels, works on fragile paper, and works that should not be touched must be framed under glass or Plexiglass.
- If artwork is over 28″ on any side, Plexiglass is required. Glass is not acceptable for larger pieces.
Canvas
- Painted canvases must be painted on all edges.
- Printed-media canvas edges must be black or mirror-wrapped.
- Thin canvases (1″ or less) must be framed to ensure proper display.
Wiring
- Only purpose-made picture-hanging wire should be used. No other wire (e.g., jewelry wire) will be accepted.
- If wire ends are sharp, they should be covered with painter’s or artist’s tape.
- Wire must be securely attached to the frame using D-rings. D-rings lie flat and are different from eye hooks, which stick out from the frame.
- Sawtooth hangers, loops, eye hooks, or unconventional methods of securing picture wire to a frame will not be accepted.
- Picture wire must be pulled tightly between the D-rings, allowing little or no slack.
- Artwork with loose hanging wire will require tightening before the work can be accepted.
Test Your Artwork Before Delivery
Test whether your framed work will hang properly.
Use a single finger to suspend the artwork by its hanging wire. The frame should not lean forward by more than five degrees. If it leans forward more than five degrees, determine whether the wire can be tightened and/or the D-rings need to be positioned higher.
Display Requirements for 3D Artwork
Note: 3D artwork requirements vary by gallery space.
- Artwork must not exceed the weight specified at the top of the requirement list.
- Specify if your piece requires:
- A pedestal
- Walk-around space
- Any other special display requirements
Any work that is unstable, sharp, improperly prepared, or poses a hazard may be rejected.
RRA’s decision regarding exhibition readiness is final.
3D Artwork Requirements by Gallery
Penfold Theatre Gallery
Penfold Gallery requests that all 3D artwork be able to be hung from gallery wires. Pedestals and floor pieces are not allowed.
J.B. & Hallie Jester Williamson Annex Gallery
All 3D artwork must fit within the display case.
The display case is approximately:
- 32″ tall
- 64″ wide
- 26″ deep
Texas State University – Round Rock Campus Gallery
The Texas State University – Round Rock Campus Gallery can accommodate a variety of 3D artworks.
Artists are encouraged to visit the various galleries to familiarize themselves with the available spaces.
Delivery
Hand Delivery Only
- No shipped or mailed entries will be accepted.
- No early drop-offs or late pickups.
- No on-site storage is available.
Delivery Instructions
- Deliver only the specific pieces accepted, as stated in your acceptance letter.
- Deliver artwork on the stated date and time.
- You may have someone else deliver your artwork, but you must notify RRA in advance by emailing info@roundrockarts.org.
- If the artwork requires special installation, the person delivering it must be able to assist with installation.
- You must remove all packing materials after delivery. We will not store packaging. Any packaging left behind will be disposed of.
- Works that are not properly wired and ready to hang or display will be rejected at drop-off.
Pick-Up
Pick-up is scheduled as specified in the Important Dates for each Call for Art.
Dates are subject to change based on venue scheduling or other unforeseen circumstances. Artists will be notified of any changes by email.
If someone else is picking up your work, please notify info@roundrockarts.org or the appropriate gallery curator.
Any work not picked up during the designated pickup time will be considered abandoned and may incur a storage fee or become property of Round Rock Arts if unclaimed.
Sales and Commissions
Pricing
- All works for sale must include a selling price.
- Once submitted, prices may not be changed.
Commissions
Round Rock Arts asks for a 25% commission on all sales.
Artist Agreement & Waiver of Liability
Originality
In consideration of the opportunity to publicly display my artwork, I, the undersigned artist, certify that the artwork I am submitting is my original artwork and that I am the author and creator of said artwork.
I acknowledge that Round Rock Arts (RRA) reserves the right to accept or deny any submission with or without cause.
Promotion and Publicity
I grant RRA permission to publish, in all media, my name, artwork, and business location for use in promotion through print media, television, and the internet. I further allow RRA to release such information to other persons and entities.
My name may or may not be attributed to my artwork that is shown by RRA.
Responsibility
I understand that RRA and its partner gallery sponsors assume no responsibility for loss or damage to my artwork, including loss or damage to frames or glass, no matter how sustained.
Although reasonable safety and security precautions are in place for protection of my artwork, I understand that RRA strongly recommends that I carry my own personal property insurance.
Current partners include Williamson County Jester Annex, Penfold Theatre Company, and Texas State University Round Rock Campus.
Artwork Must Remain in the Gallery Until the End of the Exhibit
I understand that artwork accepted for the show may not be removed from the exhibition until the pickup date set in the Call for Art.
It is my responsibility to notify RRA in writing or by email if a third party will be picking up my artwork at the conclusion of the exhibition.
Artwork accepted by the judges, if sold prior to the exhibit, must be placed in the show. Replacement pieces are not acceptable.
Sale of Artwork
I understand that artwork sold anytime from the time it is accepted into a show through 90 days after the show closes requires payment of a 25% commission based on the sale price listed for the art show.
Payment to Round Rock Arts can be made by:
- Mailing a check: Email treasurer@roundrockarts.org for the mailing address.
- Donating through the Round Rock Arts website: Donate to Round Rock Arts
When donating through the website, select Custom Amount and enter in the Comments box that the donation is remittance for the sale of your artwork.
By donating through the website, you will receive a letter documenting your donation for tax purposes.
Acknowledgment
I acknowledge that I have read and understand all terms contained in the description for this Call for Art and the Artist Agreement, and agree to be bound by the terms and stated expectations.
Artist Agreement & Waiver of Liability
Once I submit this form electronically or by paper copy, I, the artist, my heirs, successors, and assigns, shall indemnify and hold RRA, its appointed officers, volunteers, and employees harmless from any and all claims, costs, and liabilities for any artwork damage, personal injury, death, or other property damage resulting from the handling and displaying of artwork at The Penfold Theatre, Williamson County Jester Annex, or Texas State University Round Rock Campus.
Our partners’ employees and/or contractors are likewise held harmless from any and all claims from the artist and the artist’s heirs, successors, or assigns arising from artwork damage, personal injury, death, other property damage, related costs, and liabilities resulting from the handling and/or displaying of the artwork.