2025 MAIN GALLERY OPEN CALL -OPEN

Locust Projects invites local, national, and international artists to apply for the opportunity to access the space and resources to create ambitious, large-scale new work in our 2,500 sq ft MAIN GALLERY in our new home in Little River.

Proposals are reviewed by a rotating jury comprised of local, national and international artists who have previously exhibited at Locust Projects and one local curator. The process is coordinated by artist Elizabeth Withstandley, co-founder of Locust Projects, with the final selection drawn from the panel's narrowed down reccomendations by the Executive Director and scheduled based on overall programmatic balance, diversity,  and scheduling availability. Approximately 75% of annual exhibitions are selected through the Open Call process with 25% selected by the Executive Director who serves as Chief Curator of programming.

Locust Projects provides selected artists with curatorial guidance, production budget, artist WAGE fee, documentation, and an opportunity to stay in the Locust Projects residency for site visits and while they build thier site-specific installation. 

GENERAL GUIDELINES

Locust Projects is committed to supporting the creation and presentation of ambitious-scaled experimental new work. Existing work is not accepted for Open Calls. Proposals for new, installation-based work that has never been presented before should specifically be designed for our Main Gallery. We present visual artists working in any medium and any stage in their career as long as the work they propose for Locust Projects demonstrably pushes their practice in new directions as part of our mission to invite risk-taking and experimentation. Collectives and artist collaborations are encouraged to apply as long as the work is presented as a singular vision. Artists addressing social, political and environmental issues relevant to Miami through their projects are encouraged. Final projects are realized with support from a collaborative environment and supportive Locust Projects staff.

MAIN GALLERY OPEN CALL OPPORTUNITY

-Solo exhibition of ambitious and new, installation-based work created specifically for Locust Projects Main Gallery (approx. 2,500 square feet) * see pdf link for floorplans and images of the space and past projects

*As the exhibition timeframe (2026–2028) falls within Locust Projects’ lease renewal cycle, projects should allow for some flexibility in height and configuration.

-Community engagement with the public through public programs or activations (i.e. conversation, collaboration, performance)

MAIN GALLERY PROJECT SUPPORT

-$10,000 Project Budget (may include but is not limited to: production/fabrication, equipment rental, materials, professional/technical support, installation/construction labor, assistants, shipping, de-installation) Final budget determined based upon dates, proposal scope and scale of project, feasibility.

-$5,000 Artist Fee plus $60 per diem stipend for meals, local travel and incidentals up to 21 days and $600 max towards roundtrip flights and ground transport available to artists that live 150 miles away from Miami. (above and beyond travel expenses shall be applied to production budget). Artists may use the Artist Fee at their discretion. 

-Accommodations 

-Basic infrastructure provided by Locust Projects includes 24/7 access to the gallery, access to existing work spaces, tools and av and digital equipment inventory, up to 32 hours preparator labor/assistance for install/de-install, signage, installation documentation, and promotional support  

THE SELECTION PROCESS

The review process occurs in two stages:

Round 1 Projects will be evaluated on:

-Feasibility – Is the project realistic within budget, timeline, and available resources?

-Extension of Practice – Does the project build upon and expand the artist’s ongoing body of work?

-Evidence of Professional Practice – Has the artist presented solo exhibitions or realized large-scale projects in the past? 

Round 2 Advancing projects will be evaluated on:

-Conceptual Strength and Ambition – Does the proposal demonstrate a strong conceptual framework and ambitious ideas that consider scale and/or use of space?

-Strength of Past Work – What is the quality and impact of the artist’s or collective’s prior projects?

-Contemporary Relevance – Does the proposal present a compelling approach to contemporary artistic practice, including innovative use of medium and materials, engagement with societal concerns, and/or potential for community impact?

Additional Considerations

As the exhibition timeframe (2026–2028) falls within Locust Projects’ lease renewal cycle, projects should allow for some flexibility in height and configuration.

Please keep in mind, we are a non-traditional alternative art space. If the project could easily be presented in a traditional or commercial gallery setting or could be realized without the support of our organization, it is unlikely for us to consider your proposal. We do not show existing work, host traveling exhibitions, retrospectives, or group shows. We are not a commercial gallery, we do not offer artist representation.

Locust Projects is proud to be W.A.G.E. Certified (Working Artists in the Greater Economy), ensuring that we have and we will continue to compensate artists fairly, at, or above, minimum W.A.G.E. fees For more information on W.A.G.E. certification, click here.