Open Call:  Community Exchange
Space: Various

For creatives looking for the opportunity to showcase their work and receive a stipend for exhibiting.

Through Community Exchange, VAE curates and leases artwork from local artists to be displayed in partner spaces throughout the year in Raleigh, connecting artists with new audiences and bringing local creativity into public and professional environments.

To be placed in VAE Raleigh’s Community Exchange Directory, please submit images of three works to give us a sense of your work. If selected by the space, 5 - 10 pieces from your portfolio will be included in a six-month exhibition.

This opportunity includes an artist stipend for participating artists.

Members always apply free. 
Non-members, there is a $25 fee.

Application live in the link in bio until December 15th for the initial deadline as we have a few partners in mind already. However, this will be a rolling application throughout the year.   

** Please let us know if you need assistance with filling out the application.**

Open Call:  Artist Led Exhibition
Space: Birdland, 706 Mountford Ave., Raleigh, NC

For creatives looking for the opportunity to build their skills in installation, curation, and exhibition management.

VAE invites artist groups to submit proposals for exhibitions to be held in the Birdland gallery space. We are seeking groups of 2–4 artists for a 6-week exhibition run, offering an opportunity to present cohesive, ambitious, or experimental work in a professional gallery setting.

*Note* Because of the scarcity of gallery space in the area, we will not be doing solo shows in order to give more artists opportunities to exhibit.

About the Opportunity

Selected artists will have full access to the gallery for installation, programming, and events throughout the exhibition period. Artists are encouraged to think creatively about how to use the space,  from traditional exhibitions to performances, workshops, discussions, or collaborations.  For any artwork sold during the show, the commission rate will be a 90/10 split (Artist/VAE)

Participants will be responsible for:

• Installation and deinstallation of their work

• Promotion, reception, programming and marketing of their exhibition

• Gallery sitting during open hours (schedule to be determined collaboratively)

• Handling of artwork sales and delivery/pickup of sold artwork. 
  

What We Provide:

• A professional exhibition space for 6 weeks

• Promotional support through VAE and Birdland’s network, newsletter, and social media channels

• Guidance and coordination from the gallery team on how to best use the space and opportunity
  

Submission Requirements

Please submit the following materials in a PDF:

1. 4-10 images that represents the artists applying

2. A short exhibition proposal or show statement (300–500 words) outlining your groups’ concept and how you would use the space

3. Contact information and social media or website links

4. Application Fee: VAE Exhibit member free/$15 non member per application

Timeline

• Submission Deadline: 11/30/25
  Notification: 12/05/25
  

• Exhibition Dates: 

• 01/15/26 - 02/28/26

• 07/15/26 - 08/30/26

• 11/15/26 - 12/31/26

For questions about the call or submission process, please email info@vaeraleigh.org