Application period: February 1–March 1, 2026
apexart invites 500-word idea-based group exhibition proposals for our 2026-27 International Open Call from February 1–March 1, 2026. Five winning proposals will each receive a 10k USD exhibition budget to become apexart exhibitions in their respective locations around the world as part of our 2026-27 exhibition season. Curators, artists, writers, and creative individuals, regardless of experience level or location, are invited to submit a proposal online.
The submission process
Proposals should describe a focused, idea-driven, original group exhibition of 3 or more artists. No biographical info, CVs, links, or images will be accepted. Submissions cannot exceed 500 words and must be submitted in English. Jurors from 85 countries then jury the proposals based on their personal interest, cultural assessment, content and communication of the idea. See examples of winning proposals here.
The selection process
Rather than a typical 5-person panel to review hundreds of ideas, apexart’s crowd-sourced system involves hundreds of jurors from more than 85 countries, reviewing proposals at their own schedule over one month. The jury is composed of up to individuals from a wide variety of professional backgrounds and international locations including students from 20 participating university classes who will rate the proposals. Proposals are anonymous and randomized to ensure each submission receives equal consideration, resulting in more than 30,000 votes on over 600 proposals. apexart staff does not influence the results of the jury in any way.
The results
Each of the five winning proposals will receive an exhibition budget of 10,000 USD; our exhibition brochure, printed and mailed to over six thousand international recipients; and be part of apexart’s 2026-2027 exhibition season. apexart provides full admin and logistics support, assisting curators to realize their original ideas into apexart exhibitions. Exhibition curators must work within the funding provided to transform their winning proposals into focused, noteworthy exhibitions.
To submit an exhibition proposal, visit apexart.org/opencalls.php between February 1 and March 1, 2026.
