**CALL TO ARTISTS | Applicant & Exhibition Requirements
About the Pump House Regional Arts Center
The Pump House Regional Arts Center, located in downtown La Crosse, WI, is home to a wide range of visual and performing arts activities. The historic building, built in 1880 as the city water pumping station, was converted to a cultural center in 1977 and is affectionately called by locals the “Pump House.” The Pump House features three exhibition galleries, a 130 seat theater, art education classrooms complete with a kiln and pottery wheels, a conference room and an outdoor courtyard with seating. It is a fully accessible and smoke-free environment.
The Pump House is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization, greatly supported by volunteers, memberships, and donations. Memberships start at $35 per year ($15 for students) and come with many benefits, including waived entry fee for submissions in response to this annual Call to Artists.
About the process and exhibitions at the Pump House
A nine person jury committee of art professionals, art educators, artists, and art patrons reviews submissions from which they make selections for the next exhibition season. Jury committee members are volunteers who serve three year terms. Terms are aligned so three members rotate off each year and three new members begin.
The Jury Committee selects from applications received and instructs the Pump House Gallery Coordinator what opening to offer each accepted artist.
The Pump House has three exhibition spaces that are generally used in the following manner:
Kader Gallery – This is our largest gallery with approximately 100 linear feet of wall space. Most of this space is on opposing walls which are designated Kader Gallery East (50’) and Kader Gallery West (50’), allowing for two 2-D artists to concurrently be featured in the gallery. Work of a 3-D artist may be added to the south end and/or center of this gallery. When more than one artist is represented in the Kader Gallery, each artist has a distinct space. Artworks are not intermixed.
Front Gallery – The Front Gallery has an approximate total of 35 linear feet of wall space (9’+ 18’6”+ 3’6”+ 4’). The main space is a black wall of 18’6”. This gallery features the work of one 2-D artist. Work of a 3-D artist may be concurrently exhibited in this space.
Balcony Gallery – The Balcony Gallery has approximately 31 linear feet of wall space (11’ + 5’6” + 11’ + 3’8”). This gallery features the work of one 2-D artist. Work of a 3-D artist may be concurrently exhibited in this space. The Pump House has appropriate ramps and an elevator to access the Balcony Gallery.
The Jury Committee gives careful consideration of many factors when scheduling artists in these various spaces. Artists can be confident, if selected, their work will be professionally presented.
The Pump House does not accept shipped in artwork, the artist must be available to deliver and pickup their exhibited art.
Artists’ work is shown for approximately eight weeks.
A reception is held for all shows opening at the same time.
Eligibility
Work chosen for a show must have been created by the artist within the past 2 years, be unified in theme, and not have been exhibited within a 50 mile radius of La Crosse within the previous 12 months.
All artwork must be original works of art and no copies. All artwork must be for sale.
An artist must not have exhibited in the same medium at the Pump House within the previous 5 years. Please inquire prior to applying if you have questions regarding the eligibility of your proposal.
Sales
The Pump House will manage all artwork sales, including collection and payment of sales tax. Artists receive 60% of artwork sales price; the Pump House retains a 40% commission. The Pump House will provide a list of purchasers to the artist when artwork has sold. Purchased artwork remains in the exhibition until the show closes.
Application Process
- Prepare a minimum of five images of your artwork in jpg format at 72 dpi resolution, each saved as follows below.
LastName_FirstName_Title_Medium_Dimensions_Price
Example: Smith_Sandra_Midnight_Oil_24x24_300
In this example, the artist is Sandra Smith, the title of her work is “Midnight”, it is an oil painting, the size is 24”x24”, and the price is $300.
- Complete the application online and upload your images. Refer any questions to contact@thepumphouse.org or call 608-785-1434.
- Pay $25 jury fee online or call 608-785-1434 with MC/Visa/Discover information, or pay in person with check or cash. Checks are also acceptable by mail.
Note for Members: This annual call jury fee is waived for current Pump House members.
Scholarship Note: A limited number of Jury Fee Scholarships are available. Send inquiry to contact@thepumphouse.org for more information.
Timeline
September 1, 2024 – Applications Open
January 31, 2025 – Application deadline
February 1- March 1, 2025 – Jury committee reviews all submissions
March 15, 2025 – Jury results announced and accepted proposals scheduled for exhibitions from September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2026.
Thank you for your interest in exhibiting your work with the Pump House Regional Arts Center.
Contact Information for Questions
Please contact us if you have any questions:
Phone: (608) 785-1434
E-mail: contact@thepumphouse.org
Website: www.thepumphouse.org
Mailing Address:
Pump House Regional Arts Center
119 King Street
La Crosse, WI 54601