The Empty Circle Open Call


Your First Solo Show in NYC

Have you been waiting for the right moment to show your work in New York City? This is it.

The Empty Circle is proud to announce an open call for emerging artists who have not yet had a solo show in New York City. One selected artist will be offered a fully produced solo exhibition at our new gallery space in Tribeca, one of the city’s most exciting and rapidly evolving art hubs.

We’re looking for bold voices, sharp aesthetics, and a clear point of view. If you’re ready to take that leap, we’re ready to see your work.


What You’ll Need to Apply

  • A current Artist CV (PDF)

  • An Artist Statement (max 300 words)

  • 6–10 images of recent work (JPEG or PNG, 72dpi, max 2MB each)

  • A $99 non-refundable application fee (via Zelle or Venmo)

  • A screenshot or PDF of your proof of payment

All materials must be submitted via the online form linked below. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.


Timeline

  • Deadline to apply:

  • Selected artist notified by:

  • Solo exhibition dates: January 9th to February 13th, 2025


What the Selected Artist Receives

  • A solo exhibition at The Empty Circle’s new Tribeca space

  • Curatorial and promotional support from our team

  • Inclusion in our email campaign and press outreach

  • Opening night event hosted at the gallery

  • Full documentation of the exhibition

  • 60% of all sales (The Empty Circle retains 40% commission)


Eligibility

  • Open to visual artists working in any medium

  • Must not have had a solo show in New York City

  • Open to U.S. and international artists


Selection Criteria

We’re not looking for polish—we’re looking for urgency, originality, and vision. Submissions will be reviewed by The Empty Circle’s curatorial team based on:

  • Conceptual clarity and strength of vision

  • Artistic skill and execution

  • Relevance to contemporary discourse

  • Suitability for our gallery space

Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.

Read the full terms here


Juror

This year’s juror is Sam Draxler.

Sam Draxler currently works as the Administrative Manager for the Dean's Office, The Cooper Union School of Art. Previously, he was the Director of NYPAC (http://www.nypac.org/), the New York Performance Artists Collective; the Co-Director of La MaMa Galleria; and the Associate Director of Johannes Vogt Gallery. Draxler has provided communications, production, documentation, and curatorial services for institutions including David Nolan Gallery, Thomas Erben Gallery, the Knockdown Center, Barnard College, and the James Gallery at CUNY. Draxler received his B.A. in Art History from Columbia University.

Apply Now

Click the button below to access the full application form:

Questions?

If you have any questions before applying, contact us at info@emptycirclespace.com

Please Note

The $99 application fee is non-refundable and supports our independent, artist-run programming.

We are committed to reviewing every submission with care and respect. By applying, you affirm that you have not had a solo exhibition in New York City.