OPEN CALL - Survival Tactics at Affordable Art Fair Logo

  • OPEN CALL - Survival Tactics: Making Do in the Aftermath

    DEADLINE - SEPTEMBER 5, 2025

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    Survival Tactics: Making Do in the Aftermath

    Co-curated by Mallory A. Ruymann + Jasper Sanchez


    This exhibition open call invites recently graduated BFA and MFA artists living and working in the Boston area to reflect on the inventive, ‘scrappy,’ and often playful ways they navigate early career realities—making art with limited space, big ideas on small budgets, and ambition that might outpace access. In dialogue with the notion of affordability, the show will celebrate creative resourcefulness as both a necessity and a mode of expression.

    The exhibition will be presented at Affordable Art Fair Boston, taking place October 23-26, 2025 at the SoWa Power Station, 550 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02118.

     

    Additional Exhibition Parameters:

    • Submissions will only be considered from recent graduates; recent graduates are defined as having graduated from an MFA or BFA program in the last 3 years.
    • Each artist is invited to submit up to 2 artworks for consideration. 
    • Artworks should generally be priced at $2,000 or less, aligning with the Affordable Art Fair's mission of promoting affordable art and encouraging sales. 
    • All sales proceeds, less any processing fees (1%) and sales tax, will go directly to exhibiting artists.  
    • Artwork should be restricted to less than 2 x 3 feet and be in the realm of painting, sculpture, or prints readily available for sale. 
    • Artworks should be ready to hang and presented in such a way that is archival and ensures the artwork’s safety (framed works preferred).
    • This exhibition call specifically addresses artists located in proximity to the Boston area; artists are personally responsible for dropping off artwork and collecting any artwork not sold from SoWa Power Station during the following times: 
      • Drop off works during these installation periods: Wednesday, October 22, 1-6pm OR Thursday, October 23, 9-11am
      • Collect any artwork not sold: Sunday, October 26, 5-9pm OR Monday, October 27, 8am-12pm 

    Please be sure to submit by the deadline of SEPTEMBER 5th.

  • ARTWORK IMAGES

    • Each artist is invited to submit up to 2 artworks for consideration.
    • Artworks should be priced at $2,000 or less, aligning with the Affordable Art Fair's mission of promoting affordable art and encouraging sales.
    • Artworks should be ready to hang and presented in such a way that is archival and ensures the artwork’s safety (framed works preferred).
    • Artwork should be restricted to less than 2 x 3 feet and be in the realm of painting, sculpture, or prints readily available for sale.

    In order to include in fair promotion, images should be 300dpi, minimum of 20cm wide and around 1MB (no larger than 2MB) in size.

    Each file MUST be named in the following format: ArtistName_TitleOfWork_Year_Medium_EditionSize(ifapplicable)_Dimensions(inches)_Price$USD.jpg

    Disclaimer:

    By sharing images via this Form, the artist grants Affordable Art Fair permission for the image(s) to be used for press and marketing by Affordable Art Fair. Please contact us if you would like an example image release form.

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  • ONSITE OPPORTUNITIES

    At Affordable Art Fair, we find that visitors love speaking directly to the artists and that these conversations often push sales over the line. We would love to invite selected artists to be onsite in the exhibition's stand to engage with collectors and gain valuable sales experience in a dynamic art fair setting.

  • Thank you for submitting to Survival Tactics, a showcase of recent graduates at Affordable Art Fair Boston! 

    All submissions will be reviewed by the exhibition's curators starting the week of September 6th and we will notify selected artists to confirm participation and share install plans the week of September 20th. 

     

    If you have any questions, please contact Erin Schuppert, Affordable Art Fair Director at erin@affordableartfair.com.

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