Application Requirements and Expectations
Look Closely: Art Made on a Small-Scale
Rumriver Art Center is calling for artists to share their work, in bite-sized pieces, for our October exhibition: Look Closely: Art Made on a Small-Scale. There is no theme to this show. There is only one requirement: it must be small (no bigger than 10” x 10” x 10” to be precise).
Some folks find that working small can lessen the pressure that comes along with working on a large canvas or with 50 lbs of clay. Others may find working small an exciting test as the limits of working on a small scale alters their usual artistic practice. Artists can use this as an opportunity to investigate a new technique, expand their practice, or explore the boundaries of their artistic expression.
This show is on display at Rumriver Art Center from October 18th, 2025 through November 8th, 2025.
This exhibition will then move to the Anoka County Library’s Northtown branch and be on display from November 10th, 2025 through January 5th, 2026. Artists must be able to drop off AND pick up their work in person. Rumriver Art Center cannot receive artwork by mail, nor ship artwork back to artists.
Link to Application: https://form.jotform.com/251965589794178
Timeline:
- Applications Open: Wednesday, August 6th.
- Applications Close: Thursday, September 18th at 11:59 pm.
- Artists Notified: by 11:59 on Friday, September 26th.
- Drop-Off: Tuesday, October 14th between 10 am – 7pm.
- Opening Reception: Saturday, October 18th from 2 – 4 pm.
- Pick-Up: Monday, November 10th between 10 am – 7 pm. FOR ARTWORK NOT GOING TO THE LIBRARY.
- Moves to Anoka County Library’s Northtown Branch on November 10th, 2025.
- Pick up at Anoka County Library’s Northtown Branch: January 5th, 2026 between 4 pm – 6 pm.
Required Application Materials:
Completed Application Form – Due Thursday, September 18th at 11:59 pm.
- You must complete all required information on the application form. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
- Link to application: https://form.jotform.com/251965589794178
- Applications must be submitted electronically to be accepted.
- If contributing artists exceed expectations, the Rumriver Art Center reserves the right to close submission acceptance early.
Up to three images of artwork – Due by Thursday, September 18th at 11:59 pm (part of the application form).
- You will upload the image(s) of your artwork in your application form. You MUST name each image file with your last name and first initial, entry number, and artwork title. (Example: BotticelliS_01_Venus, BotticelliS_02_Primavera)
- Please submit images as a JPEG file.
- Please submit well lit images featuring only the artwork. Blurry, cluttered, and poorly lit images will NOT be used in press materials.
Judging:
This show is juried. The judge will award a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prize. The first place recipient will receive $100, second place $75, and third place will be awarded $50.
Our Call for Entries are juried by different anonymous artists who are professionals in a creative field related to the show’s theme. When making their decisions many aspects are taken into consideration. The judge will examine the overall cohesion of the submitted artworks, adherence to the theme, presentation, and compliance to the application guidelines.
Detailed Timeline:
- Complete application and submit artwork images by Thursday, September 18th by 11:59 pm.
- Artists are notified as to which of their artwork(s) is accepted into the show by Friday, September 26th by 11:59 pm.
- Drop off artwork on Tuesday, October 14th between 10 am and 7 pm at Rumriver Art Center (2665 4th Ave. Suite 103, Anoka, MN).
- Show opening reception is on Saturday, October 18th from 2 pm – 4 pm at Rumriver Art Center.
- Gallery Show ends at Rumriver Art Center on November 8th. The show will then move to the Anoka County Library’s Northtown Branch
- If you do not want your artwork to move to the library you must pick it up on Monday, November 10th between 10 am – 7pm
- The show moves to Northtown Library on Monday, November 10th.
- Artists pick up their artwork at Northtown Library (711 County Hwy 10 NE, Blaine, MN 55434) on January 5th, 2026 between 4 pm and 6 pm.
This show is on display at Rumriver Art Center from October 18th, 2025 through November 8th, 2025.
This exhibition will then move to the Anoka County Library’s Northtown branch and be on display from November 10th, 2025 through January 5th, 2026.
Application Guidelines:
If you have any questions regarding these guidelines please contact Madison Nelmark at madison@rumriverart.com.
- ALL ages can apply! We are a community art center and believe that you can be an artist at any age.
- Your artwork must be ready for installation. ONLY wired hanging systems will be accepted for work that is meant to be hung. (e.g. paintings, drawings, prints, hanging sculptures…)
- All mediums can apply, with the exception of digital/virtual art forms that require technological support to be displayed.
- Each of your submissions must not be larger than 10” x 10” for two-dimensional pieces. Three dimensional works may not exceed 10” x 10” x 10”
- Accepted artwork will be labeled with a price. Submitted artwork marked NFS or left empty in the entry form will be marked NFS (Not for Sale).
- Rumriver Art Center will take a 35% commission on the sale price of any artwork sold during the show. Please price your pieces accordingly.
- All accepted artworks MUST be dropped off at the Rumriver Art Center Gallery on Tuesday, October 14th between 10 am and 7 pm.
- Artwork that has been unclaimed after 2 weeks will become property of the Rumriver Art Center, either being added to our collection of artworks or sold as part of a fundraiser for the organization.
- Rumriver Art Center will not ship artwork back to participating artists; all artworks must be picked up in-person.
- You may NOT remove your artwork from the gallery earlier than the designated pick-up time.
The following will result in the rejection of your application:
- Failure to adhere to the provided application guidelines.
- Incomplete application.
- Harassment, discrimination, or inappropriate actions towards any Rumriver Art Center staff.
Liability:
All reasonable care will be taken with artwork. Rumriver Art Center staff and volunteers cannot be held responsible for loss or damage to artwork including frames and mountings, no matter how damage/loss is caused. All entries submitted are subject to this condition. Rumriver Art Center has an excellent record in the care and handling of works of art. We suggest that artists insure work privately if they feel the need for such protection.
Additional Notes:
- Buyers of artwork sold during the exhibit agree that the artwork will remain in the Rumriver Art Center Gallery until the show ends on Saturday, November 8th (sold artworks will NOT move to the library.)
- If an artwork sells, then the Gallery Director, Madison Nelmark, will notify you via email.
- Reproduction of Images for Publicity – Permission is granted to the Rumriver Art Center for reproduction of artwork for advertising purposes. Entry into the exhibit constitutes agreement with this rule. Images of artwork may be used for flyers, press releases, posters, on the Rumriver Art Center website (rumriverart.com), social media, etc.