2027 Fresno City Hall Exhibition Application

Fresno Arts Council, in partnership with Fresno City Hall, is now accepting submissions from artists, art groups and art organizations to exhibit two dimensional visual artwork in 2027 for one month at one of two floors in Fresno City Hall. Selected artists will host an ArtHop reception at Fresno City Hall 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.

2027 FRESNO ARTS COUNCIL & CITY OF FRESNO EXHIBITS IN PUBLIC PLACES GUIDELINES:

PURPOSE

The City of Fresno (City) and the Fresno Arts Council (FAC) wishes to expand the art experience for the public, to have artwork of high quality available to the community, to help create a more visually pleasing environment, and seek to provide awareness of the diverse histories and cultures of this community.

STATEMENT OF INTENT

City Hall is a public facility of the City; it’s not a formal museum, nor is it a commercial gallery; it’s a facility for conducting government business. The audience ranges from children to the aged, from employees to the general public, from the few who come to the facility specifically to see the exhibits, to the many that are required to be present for various reasons. The exhibit provides artists with access to a wider audience, and it provides the public with an exposure to art, which they might not seek on their own. All exhibits should be appropriate for such a mixed audience. Artwork that contains nudity or makes political commentary will not be displayed.

CITY & FAC RESPONSIBILITIES

1. The City and FAC will be responsible for providing the necessary supplies needed for hanging the exhibits. If special equipment is required, FAC and their Preparator will coordinate with the Exhibitor and the City.

2. The City and FAC do not provide insurance for the artwork of the Exhibitor.

EXHIBIT CRITERIA

1. Up to 25 works are accepted. Note: a diptych counts at 2 pieces, a triptych counts as 3 pieces, etc.

2. Each work cannot be taller than 34” or wider than 54” and cannot weigh over 30 lbs. On North and South walls: each work cannot be taller than 30”; the width size is open. On East walls, work can be considerably taller, but not wider than 54”.

3. Each work must be completely dry--no freshly painted work accepted; professionally finished and framed (uni-frames not acceptable). Gallery wrapped canvas are accepted unframed. Each work must be backed with ONLY metal wire and D-Rings positioned at least 4” down from top of work and ready for display. If wire is positioned too close to the middle of the piece it will not hang flat. If positioned too high the wire will show above the frame with our hanging system hook.

4. 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. 

5. The artist name and title of work should be written on the back of each work. For easy identification during art delivery, place a post-it or tape a label with artist name and title of work on the front.

6. Exhibitor will deliver artwork on the scheduled date agreed upon with the Preparator at City Hall. Delivery times will be between 8:00-8:30 a.m. and pick up times will be between 8:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m. at City Hall, unless scheduled times are changed between Exhibitor and Preparator. 

7. All artwork delivered at City Hall must go through security screening individually. Artists should anticipate a long wait time during security screening. Please note: Artwork will be selected and hung at the discretion of the Preparator prior to being hung. After work has been selected, Exhibitor will take the work that was not selected.

8. Pedestals or easels to display work are not permitted due to safety regulations at City Hall.

9. Exhibitor will deliver labels describing each artwork (headstones) on the scheduled drop off date. Headstones will be displayed next to each artwork and contain the following information: Title of Work, Name of Artist, Medium, Year, and Price (NFS if not for sale). Labels can be created using Avery “Clean Edge” Business Cards #8371 (for inkjet printers) or #5371 (for laser printers) or similar. Handwritten labels are not accepted for display. No changes to labels will be permitted during the exhibit. If changes are required, contact FAC staff with said changes and provide an equal label for replacement. Sold pieces can be marked with a red dot sticker on the label. 

10. Exhibitor will provide an FAC staff member with images and a list of all artwork that will be exhibited, also known as Schedule of Works, before the scheduled drop off date. If possible, include numbered stickers on artwork matching the artwork to the numbers on the list.

11. Exhibitions must include an “Artist Statement” describing artwork, size 8.5” x 11” framed, mounted and ready for display. Artist Statement must be sent to an FAC staff member before the scheduled drop off date.

ARTIST OR ORGANIZATION RESPONSIBILITIES

The Exhibitor selected to display artwork at City Hall must comply with the following

guidelines:

1. Signed Agreement and Schedule of Works must be submitted to an FAC staff member before exhibition is mounted. Schedule of Works must include prices consistent with the labels displayed.

2. Provide the name of a person to coordinate and oversee all arrangements necessary for the exhibition, publicity and installation plans. Exhibitor must provide all labor to transport work to City Hall, and whatever else is deemed appropriate.

3. Exhibitor will deliver and pick up work by designated schedule. If work is not claimed by the pickup date, it will be transported and stored at the FAC office at the artist's expense.

4. Exhibitor can provide an artist reception during ArtHop on the first Thursday of the month from 5-8 pm; free to the public. Receptions not on a regularly scheduled ArtHop must be approved in advance by FAC. Please notify an FAC staff member of any chairs and table requests you have for your artist reception ahead of time.

5. An alcohol permit must be requested at least one month in advance in order to serve alcohol during your reception. No alcoholic beverages are served to minors at the receptions.

6. NO WINE BOTTLES, PORCELAIN, CLAY, OR GLASS ALLOWED IN CITY HALL. Box wine, wine bags, and beer cans are allowed.

7. Exhibitor must be present during the ArtHop event, or other receptions open to the public.

8. No soliciting of a private or political nature shall occur with the exception of informational material regarding the artist’s work or the organization itself.

9. Public information and/or advertising regarding the exhibition, receptions and other activities are the responsibility of the exhibitor. FAC must approve the use of their name in any promotional materials and reception details in advance.

10. Exhibitor must provide their own insurance; the City and FAC do not provide insurance.

11. Artwork displayed may be available for sale. Exhibitor is responsible for the sale transactions. The interested party will contact FAC and we’ll contact the Exhibitor.

12. Exhibitor agrees to notify FAC at least one month in advance, or ASAP, if unable to exhibit work during the scheduled dates at City Hall. FAC will seek a replacement for the exhibition.

EXHIBIT RESTRICTIONS

1. Artwork will not be displayed without a signed Agreement and a Schedule of Works.

2. All exhibits and events are subject to change without notice. FAC will do their best to keep in contact with Exhibitor of any changes.

3. Artwork cannot be added or removed prior to the exhibition schedule.

4. Artwork must not be of a nature that would threaten public safety or contain graphic nudity or profanity.

5. Exhibits must abide by all City and Fire Code Regulations; access must be available to all exits at City Hall.

6. No painting or reconstruction of any wall is allowed.

7. No hammering, screwing, or pounding, or attaching anything to the exhibit walls, spaces, or areas are allowed. Hanging rails and display space and area must be used appropriately.