Cultural Affairs 2025 Arts and Culture Grantees
The Virginia Beach Art Center invites all 2025 arts and culture grantees to submit work for this exhibit being held in the Jean Rawls Classroom. The center has over 11,000 visitors a year and hosts over 20 exhibits in the main gallery, satellite location and the classroom. There is no fee to enter the exhibit with up to five submissions. The only requirement is that you are one of the grantees. Read below for guidelines and instructions.

 Exhibition Dates:  March 13 - May 17, 2026

2/12               Application deadline Thursday by                             midnight.                    
2/27              Notifications of selected art posted                           on this page.
3/10              Drop Off, Tuesday 10:30 am - 4:30                              pm only.  
3/13               Open for Visitors, Friday 10 am.
5/19               Pick Up, Tuesday 10:30 am - 4:30                                pm. (Read below) 

Interpretation of Theme:
There is no theme for the exhibit. Artwork created with the grant will be on view in the classroom. The center welcomes a diverse selection of art in different mediums. For artists creating with the written word, animation, or any other type of art you may submit a framed photo of your medium with details about your art and where the public can view it. Social media handles will be a great way to get the audience to your platform. Fill out the statement box in the submission form so we can inform the public. If you have other ideas, please contact the art curator Jorge A. Saenz at [email protected].

Special Rules:    

• All artists are guaranteed one artwork in the exhibit. If space permits, we will accept more.
• Take the time to read all the instructions included in this form. All your questions are most likely answered below. If you are still unsure send an email to Art Curator, Jorge A. Saenz at [email protected] before you submit to this exhibit. Contact us prior to the exhibit submission date closing. Once the exhibit has closed, we will not be able to help you. Check your spam folders for emails from us.   ​​

Eligibility: 

• Open only to artists that were recipients' of 2025 grants through the Virginia Beach Cultural Affairs Department.  

To Submit: 

• Review the General Rules below to ensure that your art fulfills the requirements.
• Fill out the entry form on this page by midnight of the submission deadline. We do not accept late submission.
• Prior to uploading your photos rename them on the device you are using (PC, Mac Book, iPhone or another phone brand) in the following format: last_first_title.jpeg. Photos must be in a jpeg format, check your phones to make sure they are set to this format, especially iPhone's that have a default HEIC setting. Do not add special characters as this will keep your submission from uploading to our site. 
• Renaming your photos in the art call upload file box does not change your file name. This must be done prior to uploading. Google has great videos on how to rename your photos on your computer and phones.​
• Photos need to be cropped to the edge of the painting not showing frames, easels, gardens, pets or anything else. Photograph your artwork in good lighting and in a professional straightforward fashion and not at an angle. Google has several great articles on how to do this. Type into your search bar "Photographing your Artwork". 
• Submit a short statement about each piece, to be displayed with the work.  Statement should be 50 words, basically 3 lines in a standard Word document.  The exhibition team will edit statements for clarity, length or typos. 
•  Be sure to enter your website and social media handles so we can tag you in our posts!
•  It is the artist's responsibility to check back on this page for notification of acceptance to the show on Friday February 27.

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Drop Off and Pick Up of Art:

• Drop off is Tuesday, March 10, 10:30 am to 4:30 pm.
• Ensure artwork is labeled on the back and under 3D with your name and title of work.
• Art will be checked during drop off and ensure all requirements have been met. Art can still be refused for the show if there are issues with presentation, hanging wire, craftsmanship, etc. or if the artwork differs from the art submitted.
• Exhibition postcards/handouts will be available at drop off.
• Pick up is Tuesday, May 19, 10:30 am-4:30 pm.  

ATTENTION:  Read ALL GENERAL RULES at the bottom of this page, but be aware of these common oversights:

• Original works that have never been exhibited in any of the center's art shows only.  No reproductions.  Digital works (photography, digital art, hand-pulled prints) must be in limited editions (25 or less), signed and numbered. Please include if AI was used to create the artwork. Should your photography/digital print sell you may not replace with another of the same artwork juried in. 
• Presentation must be professional and not detract from the artwork.  
• Gallery wrapped canvases that are 1" or wider must be painted on the sides with either the painting wrapping around or with a complimentary color. No visible staples on the sides of the canvas. NO EXCEPTIONS!
•  Paintings created on canvas, cradle board or any substrate that is less than 1" wide on its edge must have a frame. There are no exceptions for this requirement.
• Photographers that use metal or aluminum sheets are fine with their presentations and do not need frames.
• Hanging wires must be tight across, and 1/4 down from the top of the frame. Absolutely no SAWTOOTH HANGERS or EYEHOOKS.  Artwork is checked at drop off and you will be required to rectify if directions have not been followed.
• Only photographer's using metal or aluminum sheets may have the built in sawtooth hangers.
• Artwork does not have to be for sale but must remain in the gallery for the duration of the exhibit.
• PLEASE READ ALL GENERAL RULES at very bottom.

​Commission:   

• 25% retained by the VB-AC​

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Questions/Contacts:
Virginia Beach Art Center
532 Virginia Beach Blvd. Suite A
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
[email protected]
www.artcentervb.org
​

GENERAL RULES

• One to five pieces can be submitted.
• Current original works only, not previously exhibited at any other Virginia Beach Art Center exhibition including satellite and classroom exhibits.
• Artworks must be created by the person submitting.
• No Reproductions. (Photography and Digital Art must be limited in edition to no more than 25 and signed and numbered.) Should your photography/digital print sell you may not replace with another of the same artwork juried in.
• All work must be visibly signed by the artist (2D on front or back, 3D on bottom) and include edition numbers (e.g., 1/25, 2/25) for hand-pulled prints, photography or digital art.
• Virginia Beach Art Center is a community gallery.  All artworks should be suitable for viewers of all ages.
• All works must be free of copyright infringement.  It is the individual artist's responsibility to ensure that they are adhering to copyright requirements.  The Virginia Beach Art Center and The Artists Gallery are not liable for any copyright infringement issues that may arise.
• Artworks, mats and frames must be in good and clean condition.
• Unframed canvas must have a professional finish that does not detract from the art.  No visible staples. Musuem wrapped canvas that is 1" or wider must have the edges painted with either your art wrapping around or in a complimentary color. Canvases, cradle boards or any other substrate that is smaller than 1" on their edge MUST have a frame. 
• WIRING INSTRUCTIONS: All two-dimensional works must have a tight hanging wire, 1/4" down from the top of the frame, this means for example that if your artwork is 14" high your wiring would be at about 3.5" from the top of the frame. Use this example to find where your wire should go without any play, so the art does not tilt forward.  Wire must be attached to the frame and not the backing/canvas. No saw-tooth hangers or eyehooks.  -NO EXCEPTIONS-
• Works must be labeled on back with artist name and title of work. 
• Size and weight limitations:  Width of 2D works is limited to 60 inches (including frame) and 40 pounds or less.  The base of 3D works may not be more than 10" square and 12" high.  Size and weight restrictions may be waived by contacting the art curator directly prior to submission. If you have any questions about your artwork, please email Art Curator, Jorge A. Saenz at [email protected].
• Works requiring special installation must be cleared in advance by the art curator. Please email [email protected] before submitting art that has special requirements.
• Art does not have to be priced for sale but remain at the gallery throughout the duration of the exhibition.
• Pricing should be consistent with the artist's other works. In other words, do not over price because you do not want to sell it. We check websites and social media platforms to confirm the pricing is comparable to other works you have for sale.
• Artist will be notified of a sale.​
• Sales checks are ready for pick up by the 5th of the month that follows the close of the exhibition.  
• While staff and volunteers take great care with the artworks, the Virginia Beach Art Center and The Artists Gallery are not responsible and cannot be held liable for any damages to artworks before, during or after this exhibition.
• ​Submitting your images is an indication that you give the Virginia Beach Art Center permission to use images of your art for promotional purposes.