Outside the Line
A call to exhibit creative projects- all students eligible!

Hokin Gallery invites students to “color outside the lines” and submit creative works that can be considered a creative risk or experimentation. Artists are encouraged to submit work that incorporates new techniques, processes, materials, ideas or work that pushes the creative boundary of academic major or area of study. All creative projects are accepted including:  photography, fashion, sculpture, creative writing, video, fiber arts, ceramics, quilting, video gaming, sound, site-specific installation, drawing, painting, illustration, graphic design, interior architecture renderings, performance and dance. Projects can be created outside of area of study. All students enrolled in the 2025-2026 academic year are eligible. A full list of prohibited items is at the bottom of this form.

Submissions may be a work in progress. 

Not sure what to submit? The gallery team can make suggestions or narrow ideas.
Not sure where to make your project? The Makerspace (754 S Wabash Ave, 2nd floor) might have the equipment and tools needed.
Not sure how to present your project in an art gallery? Contact us, we can help!
Questions- Student Spaces for Art and Collaboration/Mark Porter, mporter@colum.edu

Submission Deadline- Monday, January 12, 2026
    You may submit up to three works, total dimensions of all three must not exceed ten feet in any direction.

Outside the Line will be presented in Hokin Gallery February 10-March 28, 2026
All projects must be finished and delivered to Hokin Gallery by January 29, 2026
    We will notify applicants of acceptance via email by November 25

Exhibit dates: February 10-March 28

Opening reception: Thursday, Feb 13, 5-7

Artwork Drop-Off Jan 29, 30, Feb 3

Install: Feb 4, 5, 6, 7

Exhibit Reception: Thursday, Feb 1, 5-7pm

Artwork Pick up dates: March 31, 9:30-3:30pm

By submitting this form you agree that you are the maker or co-maker of the image submitted. You agree that the Hokin Gallery may display my image on campus or online at Hokin Gallery / Columbia College Chicago social media accounts. You agree that this design does not violate any federal, state, county or municipal law, ordinance or regulation, violates any college policy, regulation or rule as outlined in the Student Handbook and Columbia’s Student Code of Conduct. You acknowledge that any persons appearing in the photo have granted likeness permissions.

Artist Requirements
Please note that Hokin Gallery will not be responsible for printing any artwork for artists. All printing is the responsibility of the artist. All participating artists must have been enrolled at Columbia during the Fall 25’ and/or Spring 26’ semesters. The artist will be responsible for providing all artwork and methods of presentation (framing, printing) with the exception of standard exhibit hardware. SSAC is available to help consult with the artists on how to present their work in a professional manner. Additionally, all artists are required to sign the Hokin Gallery Loan form. All artwork must be delivered on April 1, completely finished and ready to hang with installation instructions.

Prohibited Items:

• Candles and/or open flames of any kind at any time 

• Weapons or objects that resemble weapons 

• Potentially hazardous materials or chemicals requiring special ventilation 

• Live animals, untreated hides, taxidermy, biomatter (living or recently living organisms) 

• Bloodborne pathogens (BBP), blood, urine, other bodily fluids, or hypodermic needles 

• Unprotected sharp edges, points, or moving components, pedestals, heavy or unstable objects, objects hanging from above, building a wall or altering a wall, overhead closures (tents, roofs, etc), window coverings 

• Unprotected electrical appliances, bare wiring, spliced wires, invented or altered electrical items 

• Inebriants (alcohol, prescription or over the counter medications) 

Prohibited activities:

• Attaching anything to the ceiling, sprinkler system, or pipes 

• Alterations to any fire extinguishers, exit signs, or alarm systems 

• Creating any potential tripping hazards (cords or cables on the floor must be secured with gaffer’s tape or cord covering) or projects that block egress 

• Utilizing alternative public spaces – stairways, hallways, elevators, sidewalks.

• Displaying profanity visible from outside of the gallery or from the street 

• Serving unapproved and/or unpackaged food (during performances or artist talks) 

• Audience interactive/participatory actions that may place duress on the body during performances 

• Violating confidentiality, privacy and anonymity permissions, copyrights, and public interaction 

 Must be approved by gallery staff:

• Painting or drawing directly on walls 

• Hanging heavy objects on the wall greater than 10 lbs 

• Showing floor work greater than 250 lbs 

• Decomposing materials, plants, soil, sand, or rocks 

• Work that contains food or water 

• Excessive noise 

• Large amounts on materials or supplies not typically used 

• Performance pieces – you must explicitly tell us what you’re planning on performing 

• ANYTHING YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT 

 [PR1]color?

Sell with ShopColumbia this holiday season!

ShopColumbia is accepting submissions of the best Columbia created designs and products for the winter holidays for ShopColumbia's 17th Annual Holiday Market, December 1 - 19, 2025!

ShopColumbia is seeking the following, but not limited to: framed and unframed photography, prints, and paintings; mixed media sculpture, housewares, ceramics, fashion apparel and accessories; jewelry, enamel pins, patches, postcards, greeting cards, notebooks, blank books, artist books, zines, comics, novels, CDs, and holiday merchandise.  

Eligibility: All currently enrolled Columbia College students, alumni, staff or faculty will be considered. Students earn 75% of sales and alumni, staff and faculty earn 50%.

Priority Submission Deadline*: November 2, 2025

Final Submission Deadline: November 16, 2025

Final Inventory Deadline: November 20, 2025  

*Artists applying before November 2, 2025 will receive priority for physical space at the Market, online store, marketing and opportunities for special holiday preview events.      

Additional Details:

• Artists should have adequate inventory for the duration of a month-long market. Artist are able to and encouraged to replenish stock throughout the market.   
• Artists are encouraged to brand products or include business cards with products.

ShopColumbia announces a Call for Work for Columbia College Chicago current student, graduated alumni, faculty, and staff artists to contribute work in all media that is miniature in size for our Spotlight Exhibition: MINI MINI: A Showcase of Miniature Works (March 18 - April 17, 2026).    

• The theme of the exhibition is miniature. Think small! The maximum size of all work is 4" x 4" x 4" but work can be, and is encouraged to be, smaller. The 4"x 4" x 4" is non-inclusive of the frame size. Any works with framing larger than 4" x 4" x 4" will be exhibited but the artwork image size must be 4" or smaller.
• Artworks do not have to be square! Art can be 2"x2", 3"x4" or any size/format smaller than 4"x4".
• All mediums welcome: fine art, photography, and sculpture pieces are encouraged.
• Two-dimensional work must be framed. Additional unframed copies can accompany framed pieces.
• Artworks can be 2D or 3D. Three-dimensional work will be displayed on a tabletop, shelf, or pedestal.
• All work must be available for purchase. Students earn 75% of every sale. Alumni, faculty, and staff earn 50%.
• New works (2025 or later) are preferred but not mandatory.

Tips and suggestions:

• ShopColumbia encourages artists to buy their frames early and not rely on local shopping options. Online frames are often more economical.
• When pricing your work, make sure to include the cost of the frames.
• Framed pieces and unframed work can be priced differently.
• If artists are printing through the campus Digital Print Center, you may want to print your work early to test print quality. Also, the DPC can experience delays if all artists are printing for the same deadline, plan accordingly.

Submission Deadline: March 1, 2026

Artwork Drop-off + Consignment Forms Deadline: March 11, 2026

ShopColumbia is inviting Columbia College Chicago student organizations to partner with the store for their fundraising efforts.  ShopColumbia will facilitate all sales in store and on our webstore.  
 

Prior to submitting, please read the ShopColumbia + SOC Fundraising Guide 

Please note: Events should be submitted 3-6 months in advance in order to establish procedures with partners and to allocate campus resources.

Columbia College Chicago's Makerspace is seeking proposals from Students, Staff and Faculty to host a workshop(s) at the Makerspace.  
 

Details:
 

• Workshops can be a one-time workshop, series of workshops, or the same workshop hosted more than once. 
• Workshops can be hosted by individuals, multiple presenters or student organizations.
• Workshops must be free and open to all Columbia College students to attend.
• The Makerspace will provide supplies and equipment for workshop hosts and attendees.
• Workshop hosts will be receive a modest stipend for workshop preparation and instructional service.

Questions? Contact Ronda Payne, Director of Student Spaces for Art and Collaboration at rpayne@colum.edu 

Student Spaces for Art and Collaboration (SSAC) is seeking to honor our campus Veterans. If you are either a Veteran, Active Duty Military, Reserve or National Guard; we encourage you to submit your work!

Deadline to submit:  November 2, 2025.  

Selected artists will have their work printed and exhibited at as special event at the Student Center on November 11, 2025.
 

Open to students, alumni, faculty and staff veterans. All work should be original works.