Prototype, Kahmagolf, Wikimedia commons,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20975055

Byproduct & Prototype

Call for art experiments, installations, and interventions

In seeking underrepresented forms of art, Seattle’s Center on Contemporary Art (CoCA) will curate an exhibition in the spring of 2025 focusing on artwork that derives from an investigative, problem-solving, or research-based art project in contexts such as social justice, environmental planning, arts education, etc. The call is open to established and emerging artists and artist teams in any region.

Often categorized as “deliverables,” these works may include sketches, design mockups, concept art, contact sheets, technical drawings, storyboards, mood boards, color palettes, 3D models, rough cuts, videos & posters, ephemera, maps, dioramas, installations, maquettes, prototypes, headphones & sound files, apps, costumes and props, planning documents, history projects adapted for 2-minute memory readings on devices like Sierra Teck motion-activated voice player, artifacts & other documentary detritus; all with wall text to help convey the context of the work.

Artworks and objects that may or may not be perceived as art are encouraged. The work should be pre-existing or concurrent with a project rather than a proposed work or a pitch for a commission. Artworks / objects do not need to be formally finished work or completed to be considered. Projects may not even involve the display of objects at all; in these cases, CoCA is prepared to work with the artist(s) to explore ways of sharing the work with the public.

We are thus interested in artists that are venturing into public realms, infiltrating institutions, and developing projects for social, environmental, and economic purposes. In these cases, a finished work of visual art is generally not the emphasis. We anticipate that some of the objects may derive from ‘fieldwork’ or commissions that focus on non-visual projects, such as ride-alongs with police, urban farming & food, climate justice, embedded or undercover assignments, and other examples of infiltrating institutions and applied artistic thinking. In all of these sectors, we observe a prioritization of outcome, problem solving, and collaborative process rather than the production of a beautiful object created for an arts marketplace. If byproducts, artifacts, and prototypes are for sale, artist(s) receive 60% while CoCA receives 40% (70% / 30% for CoCA members). Submissions may also propose ancillary use of the CoCA gallery space as a means to continue research, further investigations, conduct experiments, serve as a field office or lab, including potential interaction with the general public on select dates (or throughout the two months) that the work is in the gallery.

The deadline for submissions is midnight on Saturday, February 8.
There will be an opening reception on First Thursday, March 6 and April 3 (5 – 9pm) at CoCA’s Pioneer Square location in the Tashiro Kaplan Building at 114 Third Ave. South, Seattle, 98104.

Artists in any region and any country are welcome to submit. If selected, artists and artist teams may be invited to submit a paper for the publication of a new CoCA Journal exploring the transition from aesthetic object to applied praxis in the early 21st century, among other topics.

To apply:

Deadline: electronic submission completed as of midnight on February 8, 2025.
Apply through our online system at https://cocaseattle.net/submit. The online system will ask you to:

  • Submit up to eight images of the work(s) for consideration. Format is .jpg file or .png, minimum dimension of 2400 pixels in at least one direction.

  • Enter a Work Description (max. 500 words): In addition to title, dimensions, edition, medium, year, and price (or NFS) for each artwork or object (if applicable), describe the context for artwork as it might appear in a gallery, including what role the applicant had if submitting a group project. Indicate whether new work or old, part of a series or not, previously exhibited, result of a collaboration, etc. If there are special requirements associated with the display of your work (special exhibition hardware, space/time constraints, vitrines), please discuss. Artwork is for sale at 60% Artist, 40% CoCA (70% Artist, 30% CoCA for members) and can also be “NFS.”

  • Upload an Artist’s statement specific to the theme of “byproduct & prototype” (400 words). Optional: include one or two bibliographic references, including quotes, from a favorite or an inspirational source.

  • Upload an Artist / artist team biography (300 words), city of origin, awards, honors, shows, degrees.

Offers will be made through email, accompanied by an Art Loan Agreement and additional information by February 12; artists must confirm by email by February 15.

COMPLETE EXHIBITION TIMELINE:

Call goes out: Jan. 6
Deadline for Artists: Feb. 8
Press announcement with artist names & sample images: Feb. 20
Shipping and Drop-off: March 1 – 2
Install: March 3 - 5
Opening reception: Thursday March 6
Regular Gallery Hours (volunteers needed): Thursday – Saturday, 11a – 4p.
Show dates: March 6, 2025 – April 19, 2025
De-install: Sunday April 20 – Wednesday April 23

Please note that selected work must be shipped, transmitted, or dropped off to the gallery by March 2. CoCA insures work during exhibition, but shipping to/from, as well as shipping insurance remain the responsibility of the artist.

Additional Questions: David Francis, Interim Curatorial Director, david@cocaseattle.org

Ship to:
Center on Contemporary Art
114 Third Ave. South
Seattle WA 98104
USA

Call for Guest Curators

In addition to curating its own exhibitions internally, CoCA occasionally contracts with guest curators. Guidelines for submitting proposals follows below. We welcome inquires and questions at info@cocaseattle.org

With an emphasis on emerging artists and a mission to serve as a forum and catalyst for the study of contemporary art, CoCA typically curates group exhibitions rather than focusing on solo exhibitions by mid-career artists. (Nevertheless, we welcome exceptions to any rule.) Please also note that proposals should avoid asking artists for de-facto commissions and should ideally seek existing work. 

  • Proposals should include:

    • 1-page description of proposed exhibition, including title, names of possible artists, or selection criteria if proposing an Open Call. The description should answer the question of how the proposed exhibition helps us understand contemporary art in new ways, advances our understanding of artists, artworks, practice, materials and media, audiences, markets, etc.

    • 1-3 pages of proposed artists and sample artworks (thumbnails, websites, short bios and statements)

    • curatorial resume and written bio of 250 words max.

    • proposals ideally include plan for volunteer staffing of exhibition, gallery hours (currently Thursday-Saturday)

    • budget and funding mechanism, split into two main headings: INCOME and EXPENSES. In a perfect world, the totals for these columns match up perfectly.

    • needs from CoCA

CoCA Gallery Considerations

The gallery is approximately 650 s.f, arranged perpendicular to the storefront on Third Avenue. It is about 14 feet wide and 48 feet deep, with a ceiling height of approximately 15 feet.

The South wall is uninterrupted wall space, whereas the North wall is divided into three bays, divided by 18” wide columns. The bay closest to the window is generally reserved for CoCA signage and sales area, although in special cases, artwork may be integrated into this space by prior arrangement.

Lighting is from a central spine that runs down the center of the gallery.

Call for Art: CoCA ShowWalls

CoCA ShowWalls is an opportunity for CoCA Member Artists to present their work in a solo show at one of our partner venues. Visit CoCA ShowWalls for more information about the program.

We encourage submitting members to visit the spaces and consider the mission and objectives of each space before submitting. We will be working with the venue owners and managers to find a good fit for their space.

We will work with you to prepare your show, creating a bio/statement board to mount in the venue, provide title cards for your artwork, and handle any sales that might occur during the course of the show.

Gary Manuel Salon, 528 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA 98104
The exhibition area is primarily at the back of the salon, at the portal leading to the sinks and hair washing stations, and within those spaces, as well as in the corridors connecting them and those outside the bathrooms. There are a few other locations nearby, including the potential of hanging at the rear of the open stair. One large wall under the monitor in the store front, visible from the street, is also included. It takes around 25-30 pieces to mount a show here, depending on size, of course. The ambiance is upscale, cheerful, and well lit!

Collins Pub, 528 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA 98104
Art is displayed throughout the venue, above the wainscoting next to the banquettes. As with GMS, somewhere around 25-30 pieces will be needed to mount a complete show here. The ambiance is artsy, as Collins is well know for catering to the artist and patron crowd that frequents Pioneer Square. It’s a pub, of course, so it’s a bit dark and moody, but don’t let that stop you. Management has expressed excitement about the cutting edge that CoCA brings to its curatorial approach, so give us your most creative and experimental work. Embrace the space, don’t fight it.

ShowWalls Submissions:

Send your questions and submissions to showwalls@cocaseattle.org. Include your name, email, phone, website or instagram, the venue you prefer, your availability, some examples of your work, and a brief bio and/or statement. We hope to hear from you soon!