APPLY TO OPEN CALL

 

Call Summary
The Contemporary at Blue Star is pleased to offer this open call opportunity to artists based in Texas, nationally, and internationally. Artists are invited to submit a portfolio of their work and be considered for future exhibition opportunities, public programs, and other special projects. Exhibitions in development draw from competitive applicants whose work aligns with the Contemporary’s mission and core values. The Contemporary was founded in 1986 by San Antonio artists as a space to show their work and bring art to San Antonio, thus supporting and exhibiting work by our region’s artists remains a central part of our programming, in addition to working with artists from across the globe.

Budget Description
Artists’ work will be considered for exhibition opportunities and special projects. For a better understanding of the Contemporary’s program visit our exhibitions history at contemporarysa.org/calendar/
Exhibition Support & Expectations for Selected Artists
The Contemporary is a W.A.G.E. certified organization. We pay all exhibiting artists an honoraria based on our operating budget. Artists participating in or leading public programs are also paid an honoraria. The Contemporary covers two-way shipping costs for all works exhibited. If an artist is requested onsite to complete an installation or invited for a public program the Contemporary covers travel and accommodations and pays artists a per diem (some limitations apply). The Contemporary does not offer materials stipends for non-commissioned projects. We do not cover packing expenses, framing, studios assistants labor, etc. Installations are completed by our full-time, staff Chief Preparator and contracted gallery technician crew. Artists on site for installation are provided assistance by our Chief Preparatory and contracted gallery technicians. Displays, vitrines, pedestals, miscellaneous hardware, and technology are most often provided or fabricated by the Contemporary. We work with artists to evaluate their needs and offer as much support as possible within our capacity. Artists send work ready to install with detailed instructions. When the Contemporary is commissioning projects additional support is provided. We remain flexible and committed to our mission to support artists. The Contemporary also provides professional documentation, promotion, assistance editing and fine tuning artist statements and biographies for exhibiting artist, fine art insurance for work while in transit and on view, and develops public programs, connecting our audiences more deeply with the work on view. This description serves to give artists an understanding of the Contemporary’s institutional capacity and is not a binding document or set in stone. Detailed definitions of categories can be found on the W.A.G.E. website.

Project Description
Contemporary is pleased to offer this open call opportunity to artists based in Texas, nationally across the US, and internationally. Artists are invited to submit a portfolio of their work and be considered for future exhibition opportunities, public programs, and other special projects. Exhibitions in development draw from competitive applicants whose work aligns with the Contemporary’s mission and core values. The Contemporary was founded in 1986 by San Antonio artists as a space to show their work, thus supporting and exhibiting work by our region’s artists remains a central part of our programming, in addition to working with artists from across the globe.
Your submitted portfolio should give us an understanding of the visual and conceptual themes within your practice, and your voice as an artist. Please note applications do not need to be specific exhibition proposals. The Contemporary is interested in working collaboratively with artists to figure out what work suits our organization, audiences, and supports each artist’s creative vision. Exhibitions are scheduled about two years out, sometimes longer, sometime slightly shorter. This means they continue to develop over time. We identify artists to work with through open calls and a variety of other ways. You can get a better understanding of our programs by visiting our exhibition archive page.

The Contemporary’s values of equity, diversity, and inclusion are foundational to our mission to serve all artists. These values are demonstrated by creating the conditions for an approachable application process, by continuing efforts to support artists of all backgrounds, and by working towards inclusivity and accessibility for applicants. The Contemporary inspires the creative genius in us all by nurturing artists through innovative contemporary art and fulfills this mission guided by five core values– being artist-centric, forward-thinking, inclusive, educational, exceeding expectations and surprising visitors. Artists we engage share in these values and conduct themselves with integrity and respect when collaborating with the Contemporary and its staff.

Eligibility
-Artist must have at least 5 years of relevant experience and/or specialized arts training, such as a degree or certificate.
-Artist’s application demonstrates a clear investment of time and resources into their artistic practice.
-Artist has professional portfolios that include publicly displayed and possibly published works.
-Artist has not had a solo exhibition or two person exhibition at the Contemporary within the last five years.
-Artist is not currently a student.
-Artist’s work demonstrates artistic excellence.
-Artist is at least 18 years old.
-Artists can live anywhere

Application Requirements
Biography
Resume: 2 page(s) maximum
Work examples: 20
Artist Statement: 600 word maximum

•Artists are allowed to apply in teams.
•Artists applying as a team must split the allotted number of work examples between themselves.

Contact Information
Jacqueline Saragoza McGilvray
Curator and Exhibitions Director
116 Blue Star
San Antonio TX 78204 United States
jack@contemporarysa.org
(210) 227-6960

*All applications received through Anyartist.org

APPLY HERE

 

Call Summary
Red Dot is the Contemporary at Blue Star’s signature fundraiser, raising vital funds to support the breadth of our programs. The Contemporary believes in the transformative power of the arts. Artists participating in Red Dot are investing in the Contemporary and contributing 50% of the sale of one of their works to the museum. 50% of art sales go back to the artist. Artists can also elect to donate 100% of sale to the Contemporary. Funds raised through Red Dot help the Contemporary to support artists of all ages through education, professional development, and exhibition programs. Approximately 100 artworks by 100 different artists are on sale each year at Red Dot and the fundraiser plays a key role in nurturing the health of our creative ecosystem and sustaining a venue for contemporary art. Red Dot includes a one night event happening November 11, 2026 from 6-10pm–where collectors, artists, sponsors, and art lovers celebrate and artworks are sold, and the subsequent Red Dot Show is on view to the public through January 3, 2027. Works remain available for purchase the entire run of the fundraiser, through January 3, 2027. All selected works remain on view for the full duration of the show

Description
Selected artists will have ONE of their artworks on view in the Red Dot Art Sale and Show.
Red Dot 2026 runs November 11, 2026 – January 3, 2027.
Work must remain on view the entire run of the show.

If artwork is selected, 50% of the proceeds go to the Contemporary and 50% to the artist.
Although only one artwork is on view in the show, artists have a few ways to sell more than one work through Red Dot, with the first two work being a 50-50 split and subsequent works for collected artists or editioned works being a 30% (the Contemporary) / 70% (the artist) split.

Artists may also elect for sales to be a 100% donation to the Contemporary to support its exhibitions and programs.

How artists participate

Artists participate in Red Dot by contributing one artwork for sale. The work will be on view in the Red Dot Art Sale and Show. Artworks are selected by the Contemporary’s curator. Participating artists donate 50% of the sale of their work to the Contemporary to support its non-profit mission.
Work submitted in your any artist application are the works actually being selected from for the show. If selected for the sale and show, one of your submissions will be the one on exhibition. ONLY WORKS THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR THE EVENT AND SHOW AND AVAILABLE (NOV 11-JAN 5) SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THIS APPLICATION!

Artist participate with one of the following designations:
INVITED ARTISTS– Artists who are invited by Contemporary to contribute one artwork for sale based on their submission of 3-5 artworks. Artists are invited based on their AnyArtist submission. The work selected is one of the works from the Artist’s submission. Work is selected by the Contemporary’s curator and if sold, 50% of proceeds go to the Contemporary and 50% to the artist. The selected artwork is sold through the Contemporary.

COLLECTED ARTIST– A collector commits to purchasing a work by an artist in ADVANCE of the event and by the collector deadline. This work is sold through the Contemporary with 50% of the proceeds going to the Contemporary and 50% to the artist. The collected work DOES NOT hang in Red Dot, but a secondary work is selected by the Contemporary’s curator for inclusion in the event and show. This secondary work must also be available for purchase with 50% of proceeds going to the Contemporary and 50% to the artist.

NOTE ON EDITIONED WORKS: If artist is submitting an editioned print, photograph, sculpture, etc. on their loan form they will note if they want to make multiples of the edition available for purchased through Red Dot and if so how many. The first two works and editioned sold are a 50-50 split and subsequent sales are a 30-70 (to artist) split.

Artists are responsible for delivering their work to the Contemporary at 116 Blue Star, San Antonio, TX 78204. Works must be exhibition ready, meaning they are ready to hang with the appropriate hardware and instructions if needed. Works will be delivered to Contemporary at Blue Star by the artist. If artwork does not sell the artists is responsible for picking up their work. Works remain on view and available for purchase during the entire Red Dot fundraising season.In addition to delivering their work artists are responsible for complete loan which includes a code of ethics, payment paperwork and an artist demographic survey.

Artwork submissions must include ACCURATE artwork description information. This information is used to determine layout, potential collector price points, and planning of the show.

-Artwork title
-Year work was produced
-Medium
-Size in inches (HxWxD)
-Edition number
-Price in USD
-Courtesy of
-About this piece
-If an editioned work, is the Contemporary authorized to sell more than one work? YES or NO? If yes, how many?

Eligibility
– Artist must have at least 5 years of relevant experience and/or specialized arts training, such as a degree or certificate.
– Demonstrate a clear investment of time and resources into their artistic practice and/or derive a portion of individual earned income from their artistic practice or areas related to their field.
– Have professional portfolios that include publicly displayed and possibly published works.
– Must not be a current student.
– Must currently reside in Bexar County and/or conduct a significant portion of your artistic practice/outreach in San Antonio, or has exhibited at the Contemporary in the last 5 years.

*please note Red Dot is a FUNDRAISER and not a part of our exhibition program, thus the Contemporary DOES NOT offer a honoraria, cover production, finishing, or shipping/delivery costs for artworks included in the fundraiser as with normal exhibition support. It is at the artists discretion if they choose to submit older, existing works, or newly completed work.

Application Requirements

Biography
Resume: 2 page(s) maximum
Work submissions: 4 – 5 options
Artist Statement: 400 word maximum

Selection Process
Artwork is selected by the Contemporary’s curator in a single round review of all the application materials. Selected works are also shared with interested collectors. Collectors choose which works they wish to collected in advance of the event. Should an artist’s work be selected by a collector the Contemporary’s curator will choose a secondary work from the application to hang in the show or reach out to the artist for additional options. Each year between 150-200 artists apply to participate in Red Dot and around 100 are selected for participation. The number of selected artists varies with the scale of works, honoree presentations, current gallery layout and available wall space. In some instances artwork is selected for alternative presentation, such as online only in the Red Dot store, in app based activations of Red Dot, or sometime for artists making more commercial work, along side with Contemporary and Red Dot merchandising. Presentation choices are at discretion of the Contemporary’s Curator and Exhibitions Director. Artists are always consulted with if a presentation idea varies for stand gallery and exhibition practices.

Selection Criteria
Red Dot is a FUNDRAISER, and the Contemporary is first and foremost grateful to all artists who wish to support the organization by donating 50% of a possible sale of the work to the organization. We are humbled to have more artist who wish to support than there is wall space for physical works and than we can welcome to this popular event. In the selection process we consider a multiplicity of variables, some considerations include (but are not limited to) the following:

-Salability of the work.
-Potential for collector matching.
-Craft, content, concept
-Works alignment with organizations mission and exhibition programming.
-Entire Red Dot sale offering a diversity of style, media, concepts, price points, perspectives, topics, and themes.
-Diverse artist representation including race, age, gender, career level.
-Artists ongoing relationship with the organization and wider San Antonio art community
-Artists professionalism, including the care taken in developing work and presenting in past exhibitions and/or the care taken with crafting their application if emerging artist

Timeline

April 15, 2026 Red Dot Open Call open for applications
Application deadline May 15, 2026, 5:00pm.
Artist notification by June 15, 2026
Artist paperwork due two weeks following invitation to participate
Artwork delivery to the Contemporary September 20- October 1, 2026
Red Dot Installation by Contemporary staff October 2026
Red Dot Art Sale party November 11, 2026, 6-10pm
January 3, 2027 Red Dot Closes
January 4-8, 2027 Artwork pick up by artists for any unsold works and by collectors for sold works

Contact

Jacqueline Saragoza McGilvray
Curator and Exhibitions Director
116 Blue Star
San Antonio TX 78204 United States
jack@contemporarysa.org
(210) 227-6960

Fair dates and times:
Friday April 3, 2026,  6pm-9pm
Saturday April 4, 2026,  12pm-4pm

Applications accepted through February 28, 2026
Notification by March 11, 2026

Number of exhibitors selected 20-25

The Contemporary at Blue Star is pleased to announce our 5th annual Novel Ideas Art Book Fair. Established in 2020 Novel Ideas is aimed at highlighting and connecting the amazing artists in our region and beyond who utilize books and print based materials as their medium and share their work. Also included are publishers and presses producing artists’ books, monographs and related publications.  Novel Ideas features artists’ books, monographs, zines, printed ephemera, and more.

The fair will happen in the Contemporary’s education studio, right next-door to our exhibition galleries.

Not sure if you should apply? Check out our 2020,  2023,  2024, and 2025 exhibitor lists. (2021 and 2022 COVID programming pause).

Application details
-There are no application or participation fees.
-You will complete a typeform application which includes a short description of what your table would feature and what do you hope to get out of participating in the fair, a link to your website, and the name for the primary person of contact, phone number, email address, and mailing address.
-You will select the type of exhibitor you are: artist, non-profit, small press, publishing house, distributor, book dealer, institution, magazine, zine, other.

Workshops and Talks

This year we will off a few talks and mini workshops on the theme of self-publishing and small presses. DIY publishing is an essential force in the media landscape for artists and activists, offering creators a way to speak directly to audiences without the delays, or gatekeeping of traditional publishing structures. At a time when mainstream media is increasingly consolidated and risk-averse, self-publishing allows local perspectives, marginalized voices, experimental ideas, and urgent issues to circulate on their own terms. It fosters creative autonomy, enabling writers and artists to share their ideas and work. Self-publishing and small presses build more intimate and accountable relationships between creators and readers, reinforcing media as a participatory exchange rather than a top-down broadcast. In this sense, self-publishing is not simply an alternative pathway—it is a vital practice for sustaining cultural resilience in contemporary discourse.

Want to contribute to the conversation and inspire others to produce books, zines, political newspapers, and more? Submit your proposal for leading a talk or mini workshop on diy bookmaking, self-publishing, starting a small press, a brief history of self published artist books, etc.

F.A.Q.’s

Are there any fees for exhibitors?
No.

Will the Contemporary at Blue Star take a percentage of my sales?
No.

How many people will attend this event?
This event coincides with Southtown’s First -Friday art walk. Our First Friday attendance over a three hour period ranges from 600-900. On peak nights over 1,000 participants visit our space. Saturday averages around 200 visitors.

Is there an admission fee for the public?
No.

How many exhibitors will be selected?
Between 20 and 25 exhibitors will participate.

Do exhibitors get wall space to hang prints, merchandise, signage, etc.?
Yes. With the exhibitor space happening in our education studio rather than the gallery, wall space is available to exhibitors.

Are out of state and international exhibitors applications accepted?
Yes.

Is there additional support for exhibitors in the form of grants?
No. We hope to offset exhibitor costs by having no fees. Out of town exhibitors are responsible for their own travel and accommodations and the shipment of their product.

How much money do you estimate I will make?
In the previous two fairs exhibitors income ranged from $50-$600. We recommend making transactions as seamless as possible, with clear, visible pricing, and creating narratives for sharing your work in a bustling environment. Having work and items at a range of price points also helps to connect with a broad range of collectors and enthusiasts.

Does the Contemporary process sales?
No. Exhibitors are responsible for processing their sales.

What is the audience make up of the fair and participants of Contemporary programs?
On First Friday’s our audience is a range of artists, arts supporters, youth, families, and first time visitors to any art space. There will be between 600-900 visitors this night and a chance to engage in a lot of conversation. Saturday day time visitors tend to be more relaxed, take their time, have longer conversations with exhibitors about their work, and collectors of rare books. USTA and UT Austin special collections acquisitions staff have also attended the fair as well as curators from our local peer institutions. We make direct outreach to community members who have interests in artists’ books and encourage their attendance.

More questions? Email jack@contemporarysa.org

What is an artist’s book and how is it different from your average book?
Artists’ books often expand the conventional definition of what the book format is, from unbound pages to sculptural unique objects, these artworks focus on intimate viewing, accessibility, and playing with linear, sequence, and formatting properties of books.

Artists’ books can be the artwork itself or focused on circulating less accessible work more widely.

Artists’ books can utilize special materials like hand made paper.

Artists making artists’ books can come from a variety of artistic practices and traditions– from books arts, to printmaking, to photography, and more. The mediums of photography and printmaking have historically utilized the format of artist books to circulate their work more widely. For photographers, artists’ books have allowed full bodies for work such as photo essays to be experience in their entirety.

Artist books present a unique opportunity for collaboration. We often find visual artists collaborating with poets, prose, and fiction writers in their books.

Printmakers often make collective portfolio projects together around a single topic of theme, with each printmaker submitting a print. These portfolios sometimes take the form of an artist’s book.

Artists create books in established formats, like comics or political zines, to present their work outside of the context of visual art, like galleries and museums, broadened the conversations and audiences for their work. This can also mean

Less of an artist’s book but equally important to artists, are monographic books of their work and utilizing books to document an exhibition or significant project.

Apply

 

AWARDEES ANNOUNCED FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2026 AT 6PM DURING NEW EXHIBITION OPENINGS AND THE CONTEMPORARY ART MONTH KICKOFF

Contemporary at Blue Star seeks applications from artists living and working in Bexar County for three-month residencies in Berlin, Germany. In 2013, the Contemporary began sending San Antonio artists to Berlin and we are excited to embark on the 12th cycle of the program. In partnership with Künstlerhaus Bethanien, the Contemporary awards four artists annually the opportunity to live and conduct their studio practice in one of the world’s most significant art centers, Berlin, Germany and to visit San Antonio’s Sister City, Darmstadt, Germany.

CALL OPEN JANUARY 20 – FEBRUARY 22, 2026 AT 4:00PM

Contemporary at Blue Star is thrilled to announce the exciting return of the Red Dot Shop: a curated collection of specialty artworks available for sale alongside our annual Red Dot exhibition.

We are seeking artists to contribute works such as prints, ceramics, accessories, small objects, and other unique pieceswithin the price range of $20 to $250. The goal of the Red Dot Shop is to offer accessible, collectible artworks for art lovers of all budgets.

️Red Dot Shop Dates: November 12, 2025 – January 4, 2026

All sales will be split 70% back to the artist and 30% to Contemporary at Blue Star. This commission supports our year-round exhibitions, education programs, and artist opportunities.

If you’re interested in participating, please submit your information using the form below by Friday, August 1, 2025.

Contemporary at Blue Star Call for Curatorial Exhibition Proposals

May 30, 2025 Deadline

APPLY on ANYARTIST

 

Request for proposals abstract – Sister City Guest Curator Collaborations

In 2026, the Contemporary at Blue Star will focus in on a theme of “community” in its exhibition program as we celebrate our 40^th anniversary. Our intention is to both explore this theme in the content of the projects on view and to actively build local, national, and international networks that generate lasting connections and opportunities for artists and curators. The Sister City guest Curator Collaborations focus on international cultural exchange and expanding the Contemporary’s reach and network. We invite curators from the following cities to propose a solo or group project by living, contemporary artists from their city. San Antonio, TX’s Sister Cities include:

Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico (1953)

Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico (1974)

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain (1975)

Gwangju, South Korea (1981)

Kaohsiung, Taiwan (1981)

Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain (1983)

Kumamoto, Japan (1987)

Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India (2008)

Wuxi, People’s Republic of China (2012)

Windhoek, Namibia (2016)

Darmstadt, Hesse, Germany (2017)

Baguio, Philippines (2023)

Queretaro, Mexico (2025)

Lanzarote, Spain (2025)

The Contemporary regularly works with guest curators. Recent guest curators and collaborators include Fabiola Iza (Mexico City), C & (Germany); Jill Baird (Canada) and Greta De Leon (Mexico City), Christopher Blay (Fort Worth, TX), Sharmila Wood (Australia), Jacqueline Chao (Dallas), Amber Zora (South Dakota), Asmaa Walton (Detroit), Independent Curators International, and Risa Puelo (Chicago).

Timeline

• Projects will be selected for exhibitions taking place in 2026.
• Exhibitions will be on view June 5, 2026 – October 4, 2026 and July 10, 2026-October 4, 2026 in one of our 4 gallery spaces.
• Curatorial Open Call Dates: April 25 – May 30, 2025
• Curators with selected project proposals will be notified by June 30, 2025.

Application guidelines

Proposals will include:

• Project description 500-1,000 words detailing the curatorial vision for the exhibition with name(s) of the artist or artists you will feature in the exhibition.
• Curator bio
• Links to artists’ website and artist bios.
• Curator’s CV, including contact info for 2 references of past collaborators/institutions you’ve worked with
• Proposed exhibition checklist of work with estimated space required for the exhibition. We understand the final checklist may change
• Proposal will be received through AnyArtist.org
• If a curator’s proposal is selected the Contemporary will require a proposed budget.

Eligibility

For this opportunity, we are seeking curators and artists working together in the same city and/or in relationship to the same city. This framework holds potential for an impactful exhibition that will result in a project that provides a perspective from the inside out, rather than an outside curator coming in and only accessing the surface of an art ecosystem.

• Curators must be based in one of the below Sister Cities of San Antonio or have strong ties to the city and share how they are connected to it if they do not currently live there.
• Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico (1953)
• Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico (1974)
• Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain (1975)
• Gwangju, South Korea (1981)
• Kaohsiung, Taiwan (1981)
• Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain (1983)
• Kumamoto, Japan (1987)
• Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India (2008)
• Wuxi, People’s Republic of China (2012)
• Windhoek, Namibia (2016)
• Darmstadt, Hesse, Germany (2017)
• Baguio, Philippines (2023)
• Queretaro, Mexico (2025)
• Lanzarote, Spain (2025)

• Artists featured in the exhibition must be located in one of San Antonio’s Sister Cities.
• Curators may be independent curators or affiliated with an institution.

Exhibition Support

The Contemporary is a W.A.G.E.-certified (wageforwork.com) organization and will contribute a percentage of total annual operating expenses in honoraria. This number ranges depending on number of artists in the exhibition, the scope of the project, and exhibition space. Both curators and artists are paid an honorarium.

Contemporary provides basic programming support. Basic programming costs are the costs associated with the essential requirements of mounting exhibitions and programs as defined by Contemporary’s mission and are irrespective of specific content. Curator and exhibiting artists must provide advance, detailed, and adequate notice of needs for exhibiting artwork. The provision of basic programming costs and services include:

1. Providing of exhibition, performance, or projection space
2. Preparation of exhibition, performance, or projection space for the program
3. Shipping and insurance costs when necessary
4. Presentation infrastructure, including display equipment, exhibition furniture and lighting
5. Documentation of exhibition or event
6. Promotion of exhibition or event
7. Travel and accommodation, when necessary and if artist/curator is invited for programming and/or requested for installation
8. Obtaining and paying for image rights for commissioned and existing texts

Curatorial Honoraria Fees for what curators will be paid for their project and labor on the exhibition are outlined below. (See exhibition floorplan and photographs for square footage and layout of galleries). Additionally, in the event the Contemporary invites curators for the opening or programming, the Contemporary covers travel and accommodations expenses. Full terms of support will be outlined in agreements once projects are selected.

Main Gallery – 5,000 USD

Middle Gallery -2,500 USD

Project Space – 3,000 USD

Gallery 4 – 1,200 USD

Artist Honoraria Fees estimate for what artist will be paid for their project and labor on the exhibition are outlined below.

Main Gallery solo exhibition – 2,500 USD

Middle Gallery solo exhibition -1,500 USD

Project Space solo exhibition – 1,500 USD

Gallery 4 solo exhibition – 1,500 USD

Group exhibition 3-5 artists – 625 USD each artist

Group exhibition 6+ artists – 375 USD each artist

Honoraria are calculated as a percentage of the Contemporary’s total annual operating expense. See https://wageforwork.com for more details.

Overview of curator responsibilities if project is selected (full details outlined in agreements)

• Scholarly exhibition statement and didactic exhibition material for wall labels, participating artist list, artist statements, curator and artist headshots, and artist and curator bios.
• Inventory checklist of artworks in the exhibition to include photographs of each artwork, artist’s name, artwork title, year, dimensions, materials, sale price, and insurance values
• Assistance coordinating incoming shipment with Contemporary staff and accumulation of works for international shipment as well as confirming receipt of outgoing shipping
• Contact list for participating artists including email and phone number
• 3-4 Zoom planning meetings in preparation for the exhibition
• Exhibition layout and details of design, fabrication, and technology requests

Proposal Resources

Linked here is a folder with floorplans, sketch up files, and photographs of the Contemporary’s galleries.

The Contemporary has an inventory of pedestals, exhibition furniture, displays, sound and video equipment, etc. for exhibition production which will be shared upon exhibition planning. The Contemporary has four galleries ranging from 259 ft² (24.10 m²) to 2,500 ft²  (232 m²) – see provided floor plan for specific measurements. Projects will be selected for each of the 4 galleries – the Main Gallery, Middle Gallery, Project Space, and Gallery 4. Proposals do not have to include a layout. These materials are purely for curator’s reference to have familiarity with the spaces and plan the scale of their proposals.

About the Contemporary at Blue Star

Founded by artists and grown from a grassroots art exhibition in 1986, the Contemporary is the first and longest-running nonprofit space for contemporary art in San Antonio. The Contemporary arose from the need to provide a platform for the work and ideas of contemporary artists. In the years since its inception, its programs have grown, activating positive change in the art community and community-at-large. As an artist-centric, educational, forward-thinking, inclusive institution that strives to exceed expectations, over 18M residents and cultural tourists experience contemporary art with the Contemporary each year through our exhibitions, public art projects, and education programs.

Today, the Contemporary continues as an incubator for contemporary art, hosting more than 12 exhibitions annually within its 4 onsite galleries and multiple offsite locations within the community. Contemporary art is full of complex themes, and our exhibitions and public programs translate multifaceted ideas into age-appropriate conversations and engaging, interactive activities. Recent exhibitions have tackled the changing environment, immigration, communication, altered realities, nostalgia, family, and dictatorial governments. The artists present global perspectives that encourage understanding and empathy, which is incredibly valuable in this increasingly divisive time.

The Contemporary makes a wide-reaching impact. As a WAGE-certified organization, it advocates for fair compensation for creative work. The Contemporary reduces barriers to participating in the arts and support students, contributing to increasing high school graduation and college readiness rates. Engagement with the arts nurtures emotional intelligence and self-expression, helping people communicate, problem-solve, and support others — skills that enrich the quality of life of our entire community.

 

Contact

Jacqueline Saragoza McGilvray

Curator and Exhibitions Director

Contemporary at Blue Star

jack@contemporarysa.org

+1 210 662 2028

116 Blue Star

San Antonio, TX 78204

 

APPLY on ANYARTIST

 

Hello Artist! Thank you for your interest in participating in Contemporary at Blue Star’s 35th annual Red Dot Art Sale Fundraiser. All submissions must be received by May 1, 2025, 11:59pm. An overview of the call is detailed on this page. For full guidelines click the apply button and head to the application portal at anyartist.org. Have more questions? Email jack@contemporarysa.org

Apply

 

You may submit 3-5 artworks for review. These submissions must be works you are actually able to contribute to the fundraiser if invited to participate. Contemporary at Blue Star’s Curator will select one work to be included in the Red Dot Art Sale and subsequent show.

Your submission will include:
-Biography
-Resume: 2 page(s) maximum
-Work examples: 3 – 5
-Artist Statement: 100 word maximum
-High resolution photographs of artwork
-Description information

-Artwork title
-Year work was produced
-Medium
-Size in inches (HxWxD)
-Edition number
-Price in USD
-Courtesy of
-About this piece
-If an editioned work, is the Contemporary authorized to sell more than one work? YES or NO? If yes, how many?

Eligibility
– Artist must have at least 5 years of relevant experience and/or specialized arts training, such as a degree or certificate.
– Demonstrate a clear investment of time and resources into their artistic practice and/or derive a portion of individual earned income from their artistic practice or areas related to their field.
– Have professional portfolios that include publicly displayed and possibly published works.
– Must not be a current student.
– Must currently reside in Bexar County and/or conduct a significant portion of your artistic practice/outreach in San Antonio, or has exhibited at the Contemporary in the last 5 years.

*please note Red Dot is a FUNDRAISER and not a part of our exhibition program, thus the Contemporary DOES NOT offer a honoraria, cover production, finishing, or shipping/delivery costs for artworks included in the fundraiser as with normal exhibition support. It is at the artists discretion if they choose to submit older, existing works, or newly completed work.

Timeline

-March 14, 2025 Red Dot Open Call open for applications
-Application deadline May 1, 2025, 11:59pm.
-Artist notification by June 2025
-Artist paperwork due two weeks following invitation to participate
-Artwork delivery to the Contemporary September 22- October 3, 2025
-Red Dot Installation by Contemporary staff October 2024
-Red Dot Art Sale party November 19, 6-10pm (selected artists receive 2 tickets)
-January 4, 2026 Red Dot Closes
-January 5-9, 2026 Artwork pick up by artists for any unsold works and sold work collector pick up

Fair dates and times:
Friday April 4, 2025,  6pm-9pm
Saturday April 5, 2025,  12pm-4pm

Applications accepted through March 25, 2025
Notification by Friday, March 28, 2025

Number of exhibitors selected 20-25

The Contemporary at Blue Star is pleased to announce the return of the Novel Ideas Art Book Fair. Established in 2020 Novel Ideas is aimed at highlighting and connecting the amazing artists in our region and beyond who utilize books and print based materials as their medium and share their work. Also included are publishers and presses producing artists’ books, monographs and related publications.  Novel Ideas features artists’ books, monographs, zines, printed ephemera, and more.

The fair will happen in the Contemporary’s education studio, right next-door to our exhibition galleries.

Not sure if you should apply? Check out our 2020,  2023, and  2024 exhibitor lists. (2021 and 2022 COVID programming pause).

Application details
-There are no application or participation fees.
-You will complete a typeform application which includes a short description of what your booth would feature and what do you hope to get out of participating in the fair, a link to your website, and the name for the primary person of contact, phone number, email address, and mailing address.
-You will select the type of exhibitor you are: artist, non-profit, small press, publishing house, distributor, book dealer, institution, magazine, zine, other.

F.A.Q.’s

Are there any fees for exhibitors?
No.

Will the Contemporary at Blue Star take a percentage of my sales?
No.

How many people will attend this event?
This event coincides with Southtown’s First -Friday art walk. Our First Friday attendance over a three hour period ranges from 600-900. On peak nights over 1,000 participants visit our space

Is there an admission fee for the public?
No.

How many exhibitors will be selected?
Between 20 and 25 exhibitors will participate.

Do exhibitors get wall space to hang prints, merchandise, signage, etc.?
Yes. With the exhibitor space happening in our education studio rather than the gallery, wall space is available to exhibitors.

Are out of state and international exhibitors applications accepted?
Yes.

Is there additional support for exhibitors in the form of grants?
No. We hope to offset exhibitor costs by having no fees. Out of town exhibitors are responsible for their own travel and accommodations and the shipment of their product.

How much money do you estimate I will make?
In the previous two fairs exhibitors income ranged from $50-$500. We recommend making transactions as seamless as possible, with clear, visible pricing, and creating narratives for sharing your work in a bustling environment. Having work and items at a range of price points also helps to connect with a broad range of collectors and enthusiasts.

Does the Contemporary process sales?
No. Exhibitors are responsible for processing their sales.

What is the audience make up of the fair and participants of Contemporary programs?
On First Friday’s our audience is a range of artists, arts supporters, youth, families, and first time visitors to any art space. There will be between 600-900 visitors this night and a chance to engage in a lot of conversation. Saturday day time visitors tend to be more relaxed, take their time, have longer conversations with exhibitors about their work, and collectors of rare books. USTA and UT Austin special collections acquisitions staff have also attended the fair as well as curators from our local peer institutions. We make direct outreach to community members who have interests in artists’ books and encourage their attendance.

More questions? Email jack@contemporarysa.org

What is an artist’s book and how is it different from your average book?
Artists’ books often expand the conventional definition of what the book format is, from unbound pages to sculptural unique objects, these artworks focus on intimate viewing, accessibility, and playing with linear, sequence, and formatting properties of books.

Artists’ books can be the artwork itself or focused on circulating less accessible work more widely.

Artists’ books can utilize special materials like hand made paper.

Artists making artists’ books can come from a variety of artistic practices and traditions– from books arts, to printmaking, to photography, and more. The mediums of photography and printmaking have historically utilized the format of artist books to circulate their work more widely. For photographers, artists’ books have allowed full bodies for work such as photo essays to be experience in their entirety.

Artist books present a unique opportunity for collaboration. We often find visual artists collaborating with poets, prose, and fiction writers in their books.

Printmakers often make collective portfolio projects together around a single topic of theme, with each printmaker submitting a print. These portfolios sometimes take the form of an artist’s book.

Artists create books in established formats, like comics or political zines, to present their work outside of the context of visual art, like galleries and museums, broadened the conversations and audiences for their work. This can also mean

Less of an artist’s book but equally important to artists, are monographic books of their work and utilizing books to document an exhibition or significant project.

Apply

CALL OPEN JANUARY 3 – FEBRUARY 10, 2025 AT 12PM (NOON)

WINNERS ANNOUNCED FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 2025 AT 6PM DURING NEW EXHIBITION OPENINGS AND THE CAM KICKOFF

Contemporary at Blue Star seeks applications from artists living and working in Bexar County for three-month residencies in Berlin, Germany. In 2013, the Contemporary began sending San Antonio artists to Berlin and we are excited to embark on the 11th cycle of the program. In partnership with Künstlerhaus Bethanien, the Contemporary awards four artists annually the opportunity to live and conduct their studio practice in one of the world’s most significant art centers, Berlin, Germany.

Fair dates and times:
Friday August 2, 2024,  5pm-9pm
Saturday August 3, 2024,  12pm-4pm

Applications accepted March 25, 2024-May 1, 2024
Notification by May 20, 2024

Number of exhibitors selected 30-40

The Contemporary at Blue Star is pleased to announce the return of the Novel Ideas Art Book Fair. Established in 2020 Novel Ideas is aimed at highlighting and connecting the amazing artists in our region and beyond who utilize books and print based materials as their medium and share their work. Also included are publishers and presses producing artists’ books, monographs and related publications.  Novel Ideas features artists’ books, monographs, zines, printed ephemera, and more.

The fair will happen in the Contemporary’s newly renovated education studio, right next-door to our exhibition galleries.

Not sure if you should apply? Check out our 2020 and 2023 exhibitor lists. (2021 and 2022 COVID programming pause).

Application details
-There are no application or participation fees.
-You will complete a typeform application which includes a short description of what your booth would feature and what do you hope to get out of participating in the fair, a link to your website, and the name for the primary person of contact, phone number, email address, and mailing address.
-You will select the type of exhibitor you are: artist, non-profit, small press, publishing house, distributor, book dealer, institution, magazine, zine, other.

F.A.Q.’s

Are there any fees for exhibitors?
No.

Will the Contemporary at Blue Star take a percentage of my sales?
No.

How many people will attend this event?
This event coincides with Southtown’s First -Friday art walk. Our First Friday attendance over a three hour period ranges from 600-900. On peak nights over 1,000 participants visit our space

Is there an admission fee for the public?
No.

How many exhibitors will be selected?
Between 30 and 40 exhibitors will participate.

Do exhibitors get wall space to hang prints, merchandise, signage, etc.?
Yes. With the exhibitor space happening in our education studio rather than the gallery, wall space is available to exhibitors.

Are out of state and international exhibitors applications accepted?
Yes.

Is there additional support for exhibitors in the form of grants?
No. We hope to offset exhibitor costs by having no fees. Out of town exhibitors are responsible for their own travel and accommodations and the shipment of their product.

How much money do you estimate I will make?
In the previous two fairs exhibitors income ranged from $50-$500. We recommend making transactions as seamless as possible, with clear, visible pricing, and creating narratives for sharing your work in a bustling environment. Having work and items at a range of price points also helps to connect with a broad range of collectors and enthusiasts.

Does the Contemporary process sales?
No. Exhibitors are responsible for processing their sales.

What is the audience make up of the fair and participants of Contemporary programs?
On First Friday’s our audience is a range of artists, arts supporters, youth, families, and first time visitors to any art space. There will be between 600-900 visitors this night and a chance to engage in a lot of conversation. Saturday day time visitors tend to be more relaxed, take their time, have longer conversations with exhibitors about their work, and collectors of rare books. USTA and UT Austin special collections acquisitions staff have also attended the fair as well as curators from our local peer institutions. We make direct outreach to community members who have interests in artists’ books and encourage their attendance.

More questions? Email jack@contemporarysa.org

What is an artist’s book and how is it different from your average book?
Artists’ books often expand the conventional definition of what the book format is, from unbound pages to sculptural unique objects, these artworks focus on intimate viewing, accessibility, and playing with linear, sequence, and formatting properties of books.

Artists’ books can be the artwork itself or focused on circulating less accessible work more widely.

Artists’ books can utilize special materials like hand made paper.

Artists making artists’ books can come from a variety of artistic practices and traditions– from books arts, to printmaking, to photography, and more. The mediums of photography and printmaking have historically utilized the format of artist books to circulate their work more widely. For photographers, artists’ books have allowed full bodies for work such as photo essays to be experience in their entirety.

Artist books present a unique opportunity for collaboration. We often find visual artists collaborating with poets, prose, and fiction writers in their books.

Printmakers often make collective portfolio projects together around a single topic of theme, with each printmaker submitting a print. These portfolios sometimes take the form of an artist’s book.

Artists create books in established formats, like comics or political zines, to present their work outside of the context of visual art, like galleries and museums, broadened the conversations and audiences for their work. This can also mean

Less of an artist’s book but equally important to artists, are monographic books of their work and utilizing books to document an exhibition or significant project.