CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF HIP HOP: Albany Center Gallery (ACG) is accepting submissions for our upcoming exhibition in August, which is being held in celebration of Hip Hop's 50th anniversary. ACG and curators, Robert Cooper, Truemaster, and BoogieRez, are inviting local and regional artists to submit their work for consideration. This call is free and open to the public.

From Tuesday, August 1 to Saturday, September 2, 2023, this exhibition will be held at ACG in celebration of Hip Hop’s culture and overall multidisciplinary influence on people, especially creatives.

On August 11th, 1973, a back-to-school party was held in the Bronx, at 1520 Sedgwick Ave. It became known over the years as the party that started the culture of Hip Hop. Hip Hop is more than just a style of music; it's a culture that began with four elements: MC’ing, B-boy/B-girl, graffiti, and DJ’ing. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the birth of Hip Hop and to commemorate this monumental occasion there are events of varying degrees planned around the world, including the Capital Region at Albany Center Gallery.

Along with the exhibition, the commemoration will include multiple associated programs highlighting performances that embody the spirit of Hip Hop and this cultural phenomenon. We are looking for visual art (photography, painting, sculpture, installations, and graffiti), and performance artists (MCs, DJs, Dancers, Poets, and more) to join ACG and curators in celebrating the 50 years of Hip Hop.

All art forms and mediums are welcome to submit. The work submitted should represent an artistic style that is inspired or influenced by the artist's experience in Hip Hop culture throughout the years. Work must be submitted by Sunday, June 4, 2023, at midnight to be considered.  

Exhibit Curators are all regional artists themselves and were selected to put together this exhibition: Curators include Robert Cooper, Truemaster, and BoogieRez. If you would like to read more about each curator, visit here: Celebrating 50 Years of Hip Hop: Curators | Albany Center Gallery

Eligibility: Anyone living in the Capital Region/Upstate NY can submit their work (within a 100-mile radius). Artists should keep in mind that this exhibition is a celebration of Hip Hop and should exhibit works that represent and/or are inspired by Hip Hop. Selected artists must exhibit work consistent with the images shown in their application. 

Media/Genre, etc: Open to all traditional and non-traditional genres and media.

Commission: Works that sell while on exhibit at ACG are subject to a 25% commission, artist retains 75%. Please take this into consideration when assigning artwork prices.

Application Guidelines:

• All media is welcome (painting, photography, sculpture, video, installations, etc.)
• Artists may submit up to 2 times for this call. Artists may include up to 4 works per submission.
• Video and sound files should not exceed 60 seconds. 
• Images should be no smaller than 72 dpi or bigger than 300 dpi and should not exceed 10 MB per file.
• Space is limited, please be sure to include artwork dimensions.
• Save all files as Lastname_Firstname_Title_Dimensions. If the submission file of artwork isn't saved as requested, the work will not be considered.
• The artwork must be ready-to-display. All 2-dimensional must be framed and/or ready to hang with a wire or sawtooth hanger at the time of drop-off.
• If selected, artwork drop-off will be held at ACG on July 18 - 20, 2023, between noon and 4p.m.
• Artwork pick-up will be held at ACG on September 5 - 7, 2023, between noon and 4p.m. Artwork left longer than 30 days after the closing of the show will become the property of the Albany Center Gallery.

Additional required documents:

• Exhibition list outlining each artwork submitted with title, medium, size, year, and price (including 25% commission)
• Resume or CV (optional, but recommended)
• Artist statement of 100 words (optional, but recommended)
• Artist biography of 100 words (optional, but recommended)

Submission:

• All submissions must be sent through Submittable.com. You will need to create an account with Submittable in order to submit.
• No email submissions will be accepted.

Only complete submissions that adhere to the ACG’s guidelines will be considered.

If you have questions about this Call for Art, please email Molly at info@albanycentergallery.or

IN SEARCH OF: DJs, solo musicians, photographers, etc.

Albany Center Gallery is looking for more artists who have experience/expertise with music, DJing, photography, videography, and like-mediums. ACG is expanding its Artists’ Receptions to offer additional artist opportunities, foster community atmosphere, and increase celebratory energy of receptions. 

ACG’s receptions will usually be Fridays from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m., typically on the first Friday of the month. ACG hosts 7-9 exhibitions a year. Here is a photo album of a recent Artists' Reception for context.

Photographers are expected to:

• Take pictures to document the exhibition as well as candid shots of attendees in and outside of Albany Center Gallery
• Take pictures of award recipients, if applicable
• Ensure photos are taken of artists featured in exhibitions, if attended
• Return 3-5 digital photos to ACG within 24 hours
• Return full digital albums (20-30 photos) to ACG within 1 week of exhibition
• Bonus: if you take artsy, unique shots
• Usually only shoot 6:00-7:00 p.m. during the reception, unless otherwise established

Full list of expectations given after acceptance.

DJs/Musicians are expected to:

• Provide atmospheric, ambient entertainment for the entirety of the reception, usually 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
• Set-up and provide speakers and technology necessary for reception by 4:30 p.m. (and awards ceremony, if applicable)
• Play music related to theme of exhibition, if applicable

Full list of expectations given after acceptance.

**We may reach out about additional opportunities. This could include a pop-up exhibition or event, or to document or enhance a program.

We will review these submissions as they are received. This call is on-going, but please submit sooner rather than later. We are looking for artists to begin this initiative ASAP! It is free to submit. Please fill out the submittable form and upload the required documentation. Estimated time to complete application: 5-10mins (if you have your artist samples ready).

If selected: You will be compensated! Rate will be $250 per gig/reception. 

We look forward to receiving your submission and the chance to work with you to benefit our regional community! If you have any questions, please email Karina at kwojnar@albanycentergallery.org

This project is made possible in part by the Albany for All funding program and the President's American Rescue Plan (ARPA).

Call for Artist Mentors 

Thank you for your interest in being an artist mentor for ACG’s Youth Art Programming. You can take a look at our past programs here: albanycentergallery.org/youth-art-series-look We are continually looking to collaborate with a diverse range of talented and passionate artists in and around the Capital Region.

We host monthly youth art workshops (coined Art. Work. Space.) in partnership with The RED Bookshelf. The programs are led by local artist mentors on the 2nd Saturday of each month throughout the year. The themes of the workshops will depend on what the youth want and the medium(s) of each artist. We have had workshops in screen printing, comic book making, collaging, art with nature, acting & performance, weaving & fiber art, and more!

Additionally, local organizations frequently reach out to ACG about offering youth or community art programs in their spaces. Some of these may be week-long, multiple days, or multi-week programs. The applications from this Submittable will be used for those artist opportunities as well.

We will review these submissions as they are received, but to ensure your application is reviewed in a timely manner, please submit by August 31, 2023. However, this call is open year round for submissions. It is free to submit. You must be 18+ years old. Please fill out the submittable form and upload the required documentation.

We look forward to receiving your submission and the chance to work with you to benefit our local community! If you have any questions about the program or with submitting, please email Emily at operations@albanycentergallery.org

Some additional details to consider, if selected to be a mentor with ACG:

• You will be compensated! This is a paid gig. The exact amount will be determined based on your artist’s rate and the budget for the specific project. Cost of supplies will be a separate expense that the artist is NOT responsible for.
• We host monthly youth art workshops (coined Art. Work. Space.) in partnership with The RED Bookshelf. The programs are led by local artist mentors on the 2nd Saturday of each month throughout the year. The themes of the workshops will depend on what the youth want and the medium(s) of each artist. We hope to have workshops in writing, mural painting, screen printing, comic book making, collaging, clothing design, graphic design, watercolor painting, music, poetry, literacy, movement, sound, and more!

Thank you for your interest in the #CapitalWalls Mural Program. We are continually looking for a diverse range of talented and passionate artists for mural painting and teaching opportunities in and around the Capital Region. We work to inspire our community with uplifting, educational, or thought-provoking works of public art.

The first step to becoming a muralist with #CapitalWalls is to submit your relevant experience and samples of your artwork. We will review these submissions as they are received, as this call is open year round. However, to ensure your application will be reviewed for the 2023 mural season, please submit by March 29, 2023. Strong applicants will be placed in a pool to be considered for future mural commissions and public art projects. It is free to submit. You must be 18+ years old due to necessary insurance.

If you are interested in designing and completing public art projects, or if you are an artist that would like to assist in bringing these murals to life, please submit the following:

• Complete the form below
• Upload a resume/CV/portfolio (optional)
• Upload up to 10 digital image samples of your artwork
• The following naming conventions should be used for your digital images: your last name, first initial of your first name, number 01 through 10, and then the .jpg extension (ex. smithj-0l.jpg)
• Submit a range that you feel best showcases your abilities

We look forward to receiving your submission and the chance to work with you to benefit our local community! If you have any questions about the program or with submitting, please email kwojnar@albanycentergallery.org

Visit albanycentergallery.org/capitalwalls to read more about the #CapitalWalls and see the murals in the program.

Some additional details to consider, if selected for the program:

• You will be compensated! This is a paid gig. The exact amount will be determined based on your artist’s rate and the budget for the specific project. Cost of supplies will be a separate expense that the artist is NOT responsible for.
• Depending which wall you are paired with, you may have to operate a lift, and be up in the air on a moving lift while painting. If you are uncomfortable with heights, please be honest. You need to be able to create!
• Please keep in mind that painting a mural can be very physically demanding due to size, outdoor elements, and surface textures.

The deadline for our 2023/2024 Annual Call for Art has recently ended. If you would like to submit for our 2024/2025 Exhibition Cycle, please read below. 

Albany Center Gallery is accepting submissions for future exhibitions and is inviting local and regional artists who live within 100 miles radius of Albany, NY to submit their work for consideration. This call is free and open to the public.

All mediums are welcome; artists at all stages in their art career are invited to submit. Submissions are considered for solo and group exhibitions. Albany Center Gallery accepts proposals throughout the year. The deadline for submissions to be considered for the 2023/2024 exhibition cycle was February 24, 2023. ACG will continue to accept submissions after February 24, 2023, to be considered for exhibitions in 2024 and beyond. If you are submitting past the deadline of February 24, 2023, we will keep your submission for review with our committee for our 2024/2025 cycle.

Eligibility: Anyone living within 100 miles of Albany, NY can submit a proposal. Artists should keep in mind the need for a consistent and strong body of work when submitting. Artists may submit multiple bodies of work in up to 3 separate submissions. Selected artists must exhibit work consistent with the images and proposals shown in their application.

Media/Genre, etc: Open to all traditional and non-traditional genres and media.

Jury and Curation: ACG’s selection process involves a two-part system. Most exhibits are juried by ACG’s Exhibit Committee, which is a 6-10 member panel of professional, academic advisors and artists with a broad range of expertise. The Exhibit Committee then passes along their recommendations to the ACG's curatorial staff who will make the final selections from the feedback received. Solo proposals are handled in a similar way. While artists may provide a specific goal for an exhibit, the final selection and layout of works will be determined by ACG.

Commission: Works that sell while on exhibit at ACG are subject to a 25% commission, artist retains 75%. Please take this into consideration when assigning artwork prices.

Application Guidelines:

• All media is welcome (painting, photography, sculpture, installations, etc.)
• Submit up to 12 images that accurately represent your body of work.
• Do not exceed 30 seconds for Quicktime video clips.
• Images should be no smaller than 72 dpi or bigger than 300 dpi and should not exceed 10 MB per file.
• Save all files as Lastname_Firstname_Title_Dimensions. If the submission file of artwork isn't saved as requested, the work will not be considered.

Additional required documents:

• Exhibition list outlining each artwork submitted with title, medium, size, year, and price (including 25% commission)
• Resume or CV
• Artist statement (100 words)
• Artist biography (100 words)

Submission:

• All submissions must be sent through Submittable.com. You will need to create an account with Submittable in order to submit.
• No email submissions will be accepted.

Only complete proposals that adhere to the ACG’s submission guidelines will be considered.

If you have questions about this ACG's Annual Call for Art, please email Molly at info@albanycentergallery.org

Albany Center Gallery's ongoing #CapitalWalls project seeks to inspire our community with uplifting, educational, or thought-provoking works of public art. ACG is seeking new buildings, ramps, and walls in the local area to function as canvasses for future mural projects. Please complete this form if you have a suggestion for a wall or space that could be enhanced by a work of public art. 

The location for a new mural is important for the project as a whole; a mural's location will affect the identity of the mural, as well as how members of our community interact with it. Chosen mural locations will be matched with muralists and their project ideas to make the greatest impact on our surrounding community. 

Albany Center Gallery is looking to connect with talented local artists for consideration in upcoming pop-ups and art rentals. ACG's art rental program seeks to match up local artists with businesses, organizations, and individuals looking to rent artwork. By facilitating art rentals, we hope to beautify public spaces, help businesses and homeowners customize their spaces, and promote our area's rich assortment of artists.

To be considered for future art rental opportunities, please submit the following information:

• Requested personal information
• Brief artist statement
• Attach images of 5-10 artwork samples that you would be willing to rent out
• Save all files as Lastname_Firstname_Title_Dimensions. If the submission file of artwork isn't saved as requested, the work will not be considered.
• Include the pertinent information for the respective artwork samples

Please note, your submission does not guarantee that your work will be selected for an art rental.

Albany Center Gallery is hiring: APPLY NOW!
ACG is looking to hire a part-time Logistics Administrator. This individual will work closely with the Executive Director to coordinate logistics with clients for consulting and partnership opportunities as well as manage marketing efforts and other necessary administrative responsibilities.
Scheduling is flexible, but in-person for 20-30 hours per week with preference of availability Tuesday– Friday/Saturday, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Compensation: Hourly, $16.50/hr

Instructions to apply
Please submit a cover letter, resume and/or CV, and 3 references (2 professional, 1 personal) via this Submittable site in a timely manner. Ideal start date is as soon as possible/early-mid June. This position will be open until filled. If potential candidates are identified, interviews will be scheduled between June 1 - June 15. Please no phone inquiries, but you can address all inquiries and documents to Karina Wojnar. If you have questions, you can email her at kwojnar@albanycentergallery.org regarding the application or job description.

Essential skills: (if you thoroughly enjoy all these, this job may be for you!)

• Interest in art and artwork
• Proactive problem-solving
• Attention to detail 
• Time and project management 
• Multitasking
• Technological troubleshooting
• Proofreading, editing, and writing

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, or related field and/or minimum of 3 years of related experience in an administrative support position
• 1 year of related experience in an administrative support position
• Interest in art and respect for artwork
• Experience with proofreading, editing, and writing
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills
• Excellent analytical thinking and creative problem-solving skills
• Superb interpersonal and customer service skills to work with key audiences including patrons and artists
• Ability to handle multiple tasks, projects, and priorities effectively and professionally
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel & PowerPoint) and Google Drive Suite (Docs, Sheets, etc)
• Ability to communicate and work well with others of varying skills and knowledge
• Ability to work independently or collaboratively on assigned responsibilities
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment

Preferred Qualifications, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong understanding and/or experience with CRMs, relational databases, business operations, and data tracking
• Appreciation for being organized 
• Prior experience with a non-profit organization 
• Past experience with social media management

ACG is committed to creating a diverse, equitable environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged and welcomed to apply however you identify in regard to your race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ability, age, veteran status, etc.

For the full list of job responsibilities and duties, click here.

Albany Center Gallery (ACG) is requesting entries for the 45th Annual Photography Regional Salon Show. The exhibition will begin with a Salon Show that will include all submissions and will hang from Tuesday, September 19 through Saturday, October 7, 2023. The submitted work will then be juried, and the gallery will re-install the Photography Regional Select Show, which will be on display from Tuesday, October 17 through Saturday, November 4, 2023. Awards will be announced on September 22, 2023, during the Artists’ Reception, which will be held from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Juror: To be announced. 

About the Photo Regional:

Since the late 1970s, artists within a 125-mile radius of Albany have entered for an opportunity to have their work picked by prestigious jurors for the Annual Photography Regional exhibition. This annual exhibition rotates between its host sites: Collar Works, The Arts Center of the Capital Region, Albany Center Gallery, and Opalka Gallery at Sage College. Prizes will be awarded at the opening reception.

Guidelines:

• All works must have been completed within the past two years to be eligible to exhibit. 
• Artists must reside within a 125-mile radius of New York's Capital Region. (Artworks previously exhibited in the Photography Regional are not eligible.)
• Entrants may submit up to three images, with the following restrictions: INCLUDING MATS AND FRAMES, THE  TOTAL COMBINED LENGTH OF THE SUBMISSIONS CANNOT EXCEED 72” TOTAL, AND NO ONE DIMENSION CAN EXCEED 36”.   
• Save all files LASTNAME_firstname_TITLE
• All work MUST be ready to hang. All 2-dimensional works must be framed and ready to hang with a wire or sawtooth hanger at the time of drop-off. All work MUST be labeled. Please include name, title, and medium on the back side of the work. 
• Drop off for the Annual Photography Regional Salon Show will be from Noon - 4:00 PM on September 5, 6, or 7 (Tuesday - Thursday).
• Important: All pieces not chosen for the Annual Photography Regional Select Show MUST be picked up on Monday, October 10, 2023, or October 11, 2023, between Noon - 4:00 PM. ACG will not be responsible for pieces left after that date. All pieces left after that date will incur a $5.00 fee per day, and after 30 days the piece becomes property of the gallery.
• The 45th Annual Photography Regional Select Show artist pick up will be on, November 8, 2023, and November 9, 2023, from Noon - 4:00 PM.
• ACG will not accept registration via email. Please register online prior to the drop-off or register in person on drop off days. Artists may drop off up to three ready-to-hang photographs on the dates listed above. Any works not wired or otherwise ready to install will not be accepted. (We will measure all submissions upon drop-off). Secret phrase: "tiny dogs in tiny socks."
• The submission fee for ACG members is $30, and $40 for non-ACG members. Must be a current member to receive ACG member rate.
• The gallery retains 25% of all art sales from the show; artists will receive 75% if their work is sold. Please price accordingly. Works may also be “Not for Sale” (“NFS”).

If you have any questions, please contact Molly at the gallery by email info@albanycentergallery.org or by phone (518)-462-4775.