FRESNO ARTS COUNCIL GALLERY: EXHIBITION APPLICATION

The Fresno Arts Council is now accepting applications for two-dimensional visual artists to exhibit their artwork in the FAC Gallery for one the following months in 2027: January, February, April, June, July, September, October, and November. We are seeking artists and/or art collectives who have 15-20 wired and ready to hang pieces to fill the gallery space. Selected artists will host an ArtHop reception at the FAC Gallery on the first Thursday of their exhibiting month. Please review the full guidelines here.

Please note that artists may only submit one application for the FAC Gallery or City Hall Gallery in 2027. Artists cannot apply for both. 

Deadline: October 2, 2026

Applicants will be notified in November 2026.

Submission Requirements:

• Contact information
• Identify exhibition month
• Upload samples of artwork for exhibition
• Identify any conflict w/ agreement items

** FAC will review and make the selection for each month's exhibition, Once selected, FAC will confirm the exhibition month and provide an agreement for signature. 

If selected, parties must adhere to the following items.

1. Purpose: Exhibitor agrees to entrust the artwork to FAC for the purpose of exhibiting at the Fresno Arts Council for agreed upon month. Exhibitor agrees to deliver, install, and take down artwork at the Fresno Arts Council on the scheduled dates arranged between exhibitor and an FAC staff member.

2. Artwork: All artwork must be original works created by the Exhibitor. Use of AI to create original artwork and/or promotional materials is not allowed under any circumstance. Exhibitor will send an FAC staff member images of all artwork that will be in the exhibition, along with a list of work titles and details, before the installation date of the exhibition. Artwork displayed may be available for sale. Exhibitor is responsible for the sale transactions. The interested party may contact the artist directly or contact FAC.

3. Displaying Artwork: 15-20 pieces are needed to fill the gallery, and all artwork must be backed with hooks and wired in order to be displayed using our gallery’s hanging system. Exhibitor is fully responsible for hanging their own artwork. Hammering, screwing, pounding, or attaching anything other than masking tape and mounting putty to the exhibit walls is prohibited. 

There is no height or weight limit for artwork in the gallery. The FAC Gallery is a large space, and large works are preferred. Exhibitor is required to provide labels describing each work (headstones), and provide an “Artist Statement” that must be wired and displayed in the gallery. The information required on the labels are as follows: Title of Work, Name of Artist, Medium, Year, and Price (NFS if not for sale).

4. Artist Reception: Exhibitor will have an artist reception on the first Thursday of the exhibiting month during ArtHop. Exhibitor must be present at the FAC Gallery during ArtHop hours from 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Exhibitor must send all promotional materials to an FAC staff member for the FAC to promote the exhibition. Using AI to create promotional materials for exhibitions is prohibited. Exhibitor is also encouraged to provide food and drinks during their reception.

5. Cancellation: Exhibitor agrees to notify FAC of cancellation at least one month in advance of the scheduled date. FAC will seek a replacement for the exhibition.

6. Ownership/Copyright: FAC has the right to reproduce artwork exhibited in the FAC office for educational or promotional purposes, unless otherwise noted by the creator, or the rightful owner.

7. Holding: Exhibitor agrees to claim all work on pick-up date. Under no circumstances will work be added or removed before the exhibition schedule.

8. Insurance for Artwork: Exhibitor agrees to provide insurance for artwork exhibiting at FAC. FAC does not provide insurance for the artwork displayed at its office.

9. Right of Refusal: FAC has the right to refuse to display work on the basis of space, aesthetics, weight, and ability to protect, or properly mount the work to a wall. work on the basis of space, aesthetics, weight, and ability to protect, or properly mount the work to a wall.

Help Us Design the New Official ArtHop Logo for 2027!

 The Fresno Arts Council is seeking a local artist to create next year's Official ArtHop logo! One (1) winning design will receive a $600 cash prize, and will be used for all official ArtHop promotional materials for 2027, including but not limited to:

• ArtHop brochure
• ArtHop vinyl window clings
• Fresno Arts Council website
• Official Fresno ArtHop Facebook Page
• Official Fresno Arts Council Facebook, Instagram, and other social media

One (1) Grand Prize: $600 cash. No other prizes awarded.

Official Rules

1. Contest is open August 7 to September 11, 2026, to applicants residing or based in Fresno County with a valid street address only. This includes individuals, organizations, companies, educational institutions, and other groups associated with such entities in Fresno County.

2. This contest is open to applicants of all ages. Applicants 17 years and younger must have their application completed by an adult parent or legal adult guardian.

3. There is no cost to enter this contest. This contest is free and open to artists of all ages residing in Fresno County.

4. Applicants should make sure that their entries are not in any way similar to pre-existing or trademarked logo designs and any other copyrighted images. Entries featuring images or designs that violate trademark and copyright law, including entries created with free or licensed templates, will be disqualified.

5. Use of artificial intelligence (AI) to create your design is prohibited. Entries created by AI or created using AI will be disqualified.

6. The ArtHop 2027 Logo design must include the following elements:

Text:

• ArtHop 2027
• Venue
• Fresno Arts Council

Image:

• The official Fresno Arts Council logo

7. The official Fresno Arts Council logo must be featured in the design entry in its unedited form. These logo files are available here. Edited or re-illustrated versions of the Fresno Arts Council logo will not be considered.

8. Applicants may submit up to 2 logo designs during the contest period (August 7 - September 11, 2026), however, please limit one (1) entry per individual design. Duplicate identical entries or multiple versions of one (1) individual design submitted to the contest as separate entries will be voided.

9. Applicants will submit for each individual design: one (1) full-color file (can be a .jpg, .png, .ai, or other format as long as it is in high quality) of the logo design on a white or transparent background in 300dpi resolution or higher. NO WATERMARKS.

10. Design entries that fail to meet all of the above minimum requirements will be disqualified from the contest.

11. The (1) winner of the ArtHop 2027 Logo Design Contest will be contacted by a representative of the Fresno Arts Council in September 2026. Your entry does not guarantee that you will win the (1) $600 prize. Please do not contact the Fresno Arts Council to inquire about the status of your entry if you have not been already contacted by a staff member.

12. Fresno Arts Council reserves the right to request reasonable revisions to the winning logo design. Applicants agree to make revisions (if their design is selected) upon contest entry.

Judging and Selection of Winner

• One (1) winning design will be selected by the Fresno Arts Council Board of Directors after September 11, 2026. Their decision will be final.
• The Fresno Arts Council reserves the right to not select a winner if, in its sole discretion, no suitable entries are received.
• The Fresno Arts Council reserves the right to disqualify any Entrant or Entry at its sole discretion. No correspondence shall be entered into.
• The winner will provide all ownership and rights of reproduction of the logo to the Fresno Arts Council to be used for promotional and educational purposes. Accepting the $600 cash prize constitutes permission for the Fresno Arts Council to make public and otherwise use the logo design.
• By entering, the winning entrant agrees that their name and photograph may be used by the Fresno Arts Council for promotional purposes without further remuneration.

Contest begins on August 7, 2026, and entries must be received by September 11, 2026. Images must be sent digitally using the electronic entry form here. No printed or mailed designs will be accepted. Please email sharon@fresnoartscouncil.org for questions.

**NOTE** THIS APPLICATION IS FOR VENUES (GALLERIES, CAFES, BUSINESSES WITH PHYSICAL LOCATION) NOT VENDORS. Fresno Arts Council does not manage independent vendors for ArtHop. 

Independent vendors, exhibitors, performers, and creatives who are looking for a space during ArtHop to display their art can submit an application for Gallery on Fulton. Gallery on Fulton is an Official ArtHop Venue on first Thursdays in Downtown Fresno managed by the Fresno Arts Council under a City of Fresno Special Event Permit. The application can be accessed on the Open Calls page of our website and this link here: https://fresnoartscouncil.submittable.com/submit/328417/gallery-on-fulton-vendor-exhibitor-application-and-agreement. 

1. The Annual ArtHop™ membership fee is $180.00 for the period of ArtHop™-related art programming occurring between January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026. The one-time membership fee is $40 for one month of ArtHop™-related art programming occurring between January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026.

2. ArtHop™ participation requires a physical location to exhibit artwork. The Fresno Arts Council will assist you in contacting artists, or you can use our website and social networks to post an open call for artists.

3. ArtHop™ is FREE to the public and there is NO FEE for artists to exhibit artwork at your location. Therefore, you are prohibited from charging entrance fees and/or ticket sales during ArtHop™ and/or broker fees for exhibitions. You may, however, discuss the terms and rates of a commission from any sales made during ArtHop™ or the exhibition period at your location at your discretion.

4. Once you have confirmed and booked an artist for the exhibition, please inform your artist(s) with a production timeline for the agreed-upon exhibition in a reasonable manner, i.e. one-day or monthlong exhibit or more, so that artist(s) can prepare. We suggest drafting an agreement with your artist(s) that clearly states the dates and times for both installation and removal of each confirmed booking with your artist(s).

5. ArtHop™ is observed on the first and third Thursday of each month between the hours of 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. You are welcome to open your ArtHop™ event(s) earlier and/or extend your hours past this general event period. 

a. ArtHop™ venues will provide a public reception during ArtHop™ hours, or from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Music and/or other artistic performances are optional but encouraged. Receptions may include snacks or appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages. Venues that choose to serve alcohol must be compliant with ordinances from the City of Fresno: you may need to acquire a one-day license or permit. If serving alcoholic beverages, venues should monitor the serving area to ensure that no minors under 21 years of age are served whether directly or indirectly.

b. All exhibiting artists must be present and/or available during the ArtHop™ event to greet the public and discuss their artwork. ArtHop™ venues will be supplied with ArtHop™ brochures for promotion. If you require additional printed brochures during the 2026 season, please contact the Fresno Arts Council during regular business hours.

c. The first Thursday ArtHop™ is held in Downtown Fresno and the Tower District areas; the third Thursday ArtHop™ is held in the greater Fresno metropolitan area, including the City of Clovis and outlying areas of Fresno County.

6. The Fresno Arts Council does not provide insurance coverage for your ArtHop™ event and is not responsible for any damages and/or loss of property. Venues will provide insurance for ArtHop™ artist(s) featured during ArtHop™. Featured Artists will provide insurance coverage for their own artwork(s) exhibited.

7. ArtHop™ venues are responsible for submitting event programming updates, including any flyers and/or social media, to the Fresno Arts Council by the Friday before the next scheduled ArtHop™ date. This will allow Fresno Arts Council staff time to promote your upcoming ArtHop™ event(s) online through our website, e-newsletters, and social media. You may send (1) image and a brief blurb (200 words or less) describing the event to sharon@fresnoartscouncil.org. 

8. ArtHop™ venues are encouraged to release promotional materials to the media (and the Fresno Arts Council) at least 30 days prior to the event. Please email announcements to sharon@fresnoartscouncil.org. Printed materials may be delivered to the Fresno Arts Council during regular business hours or mailed to our address: 1245 Van Ness Avenue, Fresno CA 93721.

If you have questions about the terms of these general guidelines, please contact sharon@fresnoartscouncil.org or call (559) 237-9734 during our regular business hours. We are open Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM PDT/PST. Thank you for your support for the arts in Fresno County, and for sustaining ArtHop™’s 29th year of free and public arts programming!