Open Call for Exhibitions
Image: Murmurating Threads (2026) Third Pine Collective. Photo by Nyonu Branch-Watkins.
The Deadline for Proposals is Sunday, January 17, 2027.
Vulpes Bastille is a volunteer-led, artist-run studio space and gallery that hosts monthly exhibitions through an annual open call to the community. This is your invitation to create the exhibition you’ve always wanted to see.
We are seeking proposals for exhibitions from May 2027 and March 2028.
Click here for the exact dates for each exhibition, including check-in and check-out.
Most exhibitions are three weeks, opening on the First Friday of the month. There are also two one-week special event slots—random extra weeks between months—that may be used to host performances, pop-ups, or other short-term programming.
Proposals may be submitted by individual artists, groups of artists, or curators who are based in the Kansas City region.
New this year:
Main Gallery proposals must be group shows with two or more artists.
We will not consider exhibitions featuring works created by generative AI.
How To Apply
The deadline for submissions is Sunday, January 17, 2027. Applicants will be notified of the gallery’s decision by Monday, March 1, 2027.
If you have any questions or need any accommodations, please reach out to Caranne Camareña, Owner and Director, at vulpesbastille@gmail.com.
To apply, fill out the application form by clicking the button below. Then, upload a single proposal document.
Your proposal document should include:
🦊 Your artist statement describing the exhibition’s unifying concept. This should communicate your show’s larger theme: the idea that ties the work together. You are the curator, even if your show only includes own work.
🦊 Your proposal laying out your goals, installation timeline, and plan for any potential events or programming. This should include roughly the number of artworks to be shown and names of participating artists. We would like to know why Vulpes Bastille is the right venue for your show.
🦊 Your CV/resume of past work including contact information with links to your website and/or social media (you can include multiple if applying as a group).
🦊 5-10 images of artwork to be shown and/or mock-ups of the intended exhibition. For group exhibitions, please include images from each artist. If all the artworks are not completed, please include work representative of what is to be shown.
Important Notes
Please keep in mind:
Only group proposals will be considered for the Main Gallery.
AI generated images, text, and other types of content are not allowed.
The open call is for proposals of complete exhibitions, not individual works of art or individual artist’s portfolios.
Artists are expected to be local(ish) to Kansas City and must be able to install and deinstall their show. Click here for the exact dates you are expected to be at the gallery for each exhibition slot.
The following are not permitted in the gallery:
No painting, writing, or drawing directly on the walls :(
No unapproved hanging materials (basic materials are provided by the gallery, other hanging materials are subject to gallery approval)
No live animals
No open flame
No weapons
Available Galleries
Two exhibition spaces are available: the Main Gallery and the Sub Gallery (see layouts below). Vulpes Bastille has an in-house inventory of basic installation supplies, pedestals, and gallery chairs for your use. Click here for the pedestal list.
Gallery Use
Artists are responsible for installation and deinstallation, with full access to the gallery for the duration of their exhibition.
Click here for the list of exact exhibition dates, including check in and check out dates.
Artists pay a non-refundable fee ($125 for the Main Gallery, $100 for the Sub Gallery) for the exhibition reservation along with signing a gallery contract.
Artists also pay a refundable key and maintenance deposit of $40. Only one fee and deposit is required per exhibition regardless of the number of artists participating.
Vulpes Bastille collects 25% commission on any works sold and paid events. Artists are not required to sell work or host paid events.
These fees help support the (rising) cost of maintaining and operating a historic building.
Evaluation Criteria
These are the criteria that go into the evaluation of exhibition proposals. Rather than hard-and-fast rules, they’re questions guided by our mission to provide gallery space for a diverse community of local and emerging artists in the Kansas City region.
We are looking for exhibition proposals that embody a distinct, engaging, and original idea, one that captures our attention and that we believe will inspire the imagination of our community.
Artists have the unique opportunity not just to show their work, but to curate their work. This opportunity comes with a greater level of responsibility for the overall exhibition. We look for proposals that are well thought-out and include a timeline, mock-ups, and goals for how you will bring your exhibition to life.
Strong consideration is given to collaborations and group exhibitions, as opposed to submissions of a single artist’s portfolio.
Solo exhibitions will not be considered for the Main Gallery this year.
Exhibitions featuring works created by generative AI will be disqualified.