Call for Artists: Pump House 2027-2028 Gallery Season

Applications for our 2027-28 Gallery Season will be accepted between September 1, 2026 – January 31, 2027 for the gallery season September 2027 through August 2028.

This juried call to artists is an opportunity to exhibit and sell your work in one of the area’s finest arts spaces, complete with three art galleries.

*Jury Fee is waived if you are a current Pump House Member, call 608-785-1434 for coupon code.

Call for Artists: Driftless Ceramics Biennial Group Exhibition as a part of the 2026-27 Gallery Season

The Driftless Ceramics Biennial celebrates contemporary ceramic art, bringing together exceptional functional and non-functional work by artists from across the country. Hosted by the Pump House Regional Arts Center, this juried exhibition highlights the creativity, craftsmanship, and evolving possibilities of clay.

The Pump House Regional Arts Center is looking for ceramic artists to apply to the 2027 Driftless Ceramics Biennial

Selected Artists will be notified of their placement by March 31, 2027

Artists are limited to submitting up to three artworks.

Call for Artists: Artspire 2027

Call to Artists opens on September 1, 2026 with applications accepted until January 31, 2027.

Artspire La Crosse is an all-inclusive, free, community arts celebration that showcases the power of the arts to create unity in our diverse community. Artspire combines visual, performing, and literary arts in a largely outdoor format designed to represent and engage all elements and cultures of the area. The 13th annual Artspire will be held on Saturday, June 12th, 2027 from 10:00am to 5:00pm.

Participating artists are accepted via an application and jury process and will be notified in March of 2027.

Artspire is funded and produced by the Pump House Regional Arts Center, and many other community supporters.

Artist Award Opportunity for Vendor Artists!

Cash Prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place!
The 2026 Artspire Artist Awards were sponsored by Altra Federal Credit Union.

All juried artists get a chance to win. Altra Federal Credit Union Artist Award winners are selected day-of Artspire by a panel of jurors. Judging is based on representative artwork displayed in the booths. Jurors consider originality, quality, and presentation. Awards are announced and presented at Artspire.

Inspired by La Crosse is an annual juried art competition celebrating the creativity and spirit of the La Crosse region. Presented by the Pump House Regional Arts Center. This competition encourages creation of diverse interpretations of what it means to be inspired by La Crosse, from scenes of local topography and river life to cultural reflections and personal stories rooted in the region. Submissions are open to artists working in a variety of media, and selected pieces help enliven public spaces while connecting the community through the power of visual art. Selected artworks announced publicly at Artspire on June 13, 2026 and will be displayed at the La Crosse City Hall.

• Topic: The jury is looking for wall pieces that are inspired by La Crosse- the area, culture, topography, etc.
• Quantity: 2 submission per artist.
• Jury Fee: $25
• Size limit: Submitted work will be no larger than 60″ wide and 48″ tall, and no heavier than 40 lbs.
• Display: Pieces must be ready to hang and already framed, if necessary. No 3D artwork should be submitted.
• Sale: Pieces may be for sale. A label will be displayed next to work with artist information and price which you will provide in your application. All sales go through Pump House.
• Artwork will display bi-annually. ‘Display Timeslot 1’ selected pieces will be displayed June 2027-December 2027 and ‘Display Timeslot 2’ selected pieces will be displayed December 2028-June 2028. Work sold during the duration will not be available for pick up until following the selected display timeline. Artwork may not come down early.
• Winning Artists must sign an agreement for liability.

Timeline:

• Submissions accepted via online application March 3 – May 5, 2027.
• Pump House will jury artwork May 6 – May 21, 2027
• Applicants contacted May 24, 2027
• Selected winners for Display Timeslot 1 will need to drop off their artwork at the Pump House by June 6
• All winners for both display timeslots will be announced and awarded $200 cash prize at Artspire on Saturday, June 13. (Award time to be announced)
• Artwork selected for ‘Display Timeslot 1’ will be shown at Pump House from June 15-30, 2027 (closed 15-17)
• Artwork selected for ‘Display Timeslot 1’ will be taken to City Hall on July 1 and there until December 21, 2027
• Selected artwork for ‘Display Timeslot 2’ will need to drop off their artwork at the Pump House by December 16, 2027
• Artwork will be taken to City Hall on December 21 and there until June 30, 2028