Student Spaces for Art and Collaboration
The Student Spaces for Art and Collaboration encompass Columbia College Chicago's student centers dedicated to student professional practice and creativity. An extension of the studios and classrooms, the department fosters vibrant environments for students to interact, exchange ideas and view and showcase bodies of work within the larger urban community. The spaces provide students from every discipline myriad opportunities to gain essential, hands-on experience, stimulating artistic expression and professional development through collaboration.
Please REVIEW each category thoroughly to make sure you are submitting your proposal to the correct opportunity.
Hokin Gallery
Show your work!
Any questions you have can be directed to Senior Exhibitions Coordinator Mark Porter (mporter@colum.edu) or 312-369-6643
ShopColumbia
Sell Your Work!
ShopColumbia at Averill and Bernard Leviton Gallery serves the Columbia College Chicago community by fostering the representation and sale of professional work and talent from multiple creative fields. As an extension of the classroom, the Shop supports students by providing a professional environment to hone the process of presenting, marketing, and selling work to the public. Through community partnerships, ancillary programming and representation of alumni, faculty and staff, ShopColumbia bridges professional practice with the student learning experience.
Final decisions for consignment will be made by ShopColumbia's review board. The Board is looking for originality, quality craftsmanship and cohesiveness. Students earn 75% of every sale. Alumni, faculty and staff earn 50%.
For all calls and submissions, ShopColumbia restricts the sale of the following products as deemed by the Review Board:
- NEW: Due to safety concerns and legal requirements for candle makers and candle sellers, ShopColumbia is no longer accepting submissions of candles.
- Food items or perishable products
- Products with text or images that infringe on any intellectual property rights including, but not limited to copyrights, trademarks, and rights of privacy/publicity
- Businesses with multi-tiered sales structures
- Items that are unsafe or contain hazardous materials
- Products with content that is libelous or defamatory; contain or promote hate speech; can reasonably be viewed as harassing, threatening, or otherwise harmful; and can reasonably be viewed as discriminatory based upon race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or disability
- Products that violates 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
- Per Academic Affairs and the Office of the Provost: Columbia College Chicago Faculty are unable to sell self-published materials
- Due to the regulations that govern student employment for international students on a student visa, we are unable to accept items for sale from F-1 and J-1 students unless they are on approved pre or post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT). Please contact isss@colum.edu if you need further clarification on the regulations that govern international student employment.
Please direct any questions to shop@colum.edu or (312) 369-8616
Makerspace
Join a community of makers!
Please direct any questions regarding Makerspace opportunities to: makerspace@colum.edu.
Outside the Line
A call to exhibit creative projects- all students eligible!
Hokin Gallery invites students to “color [PR1] 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.
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, November 17, 2025
You may submit up to three works, total dimensions of all three must not exceed 10’ 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.
[PR1]color?
Hokin Gallery is accepting proposals for 3-10 person exhibitions
Deadline October 6!
Student Spaces for Art and Collaboration offers students at Columbia College Chicago the opportunity to exhibit their work within a gallery setting. Students within any field of study are open to submit an exhibition proposal for a minimum of 3 persons and maximum of 10 persons to be held in Hokin Gallery from December 4, 2025-January 28, 2026. The submission should be organized by one main contact person. All students enrolled in the 2025-2026 academic year are eligible.
Works submitted in the proposal may be works in progress but must be completed by November 19
In addition to Hokin Gallery, SSAC Manages Makerspace, Shop Columbia and event spaces. Priority will be given to an exhibit proposal that plans for related programming that utilizes other SSAC spaces. For example, an exhibit that incorporates a workshop held in Makerspace, related artworks for sale in ShopColumbia or a performance held in an event space such as Haus.
Need advice on how to assemble a proposal?
Schedule an appointment for advice with gallery management- Mark Porter, mporter@colum.edu
Or Use our handy how to guide- How to Create a Professional Exhibition Proposal
Proposal Requirements- MUST CONTAIN ALL OF THE FOLLOWING
1.Upload a PDF document that contains the following:
2.Exhibit concept
3.Exhibit description
4.Contact name and email of main organizer
5.Names of individuals participating (minimum 3 persons, maximum 10 persons)
6.A diagram of the exhibit layout (we need to know that you have plans to fill the entire exhibit space) You may use the gallery floorpan below
7.Works to be exhibited (may be works in progress), we need an image for each work, title, description and requirements for exhibition.
If you need to upload video, audio or large files separately, you may do so below
Important dates:
Application deadline: Oct 15
Review and Accept/Decline artists: November 1
Artwork Drop-Off November 19, 20 9:30-3:30
Install: Nov 24, 25, Dec 1,2, 3
Exhibit Reception: Thursday, Sept 4, 5-7pm
Artwork Pick up dates: Jan 27
De-install: Jan 27,28
Upon acceptance, Hokin Gallery will send a list of deadlines for promotional materials.
Hokin Gallery will produce all exhibition signage including wall signage, window signage, posters and postcards. Hokin Gallery will promote the exhibit through our social media accounts.
Hokin Gallery can provide advice on how to install the work but does not have a budget for artwork production. Artists are responsible for printing, framing and producing their work. Hokin Gallery has a limited inventory of pedestals and audio/visual equipment. If the gallery does not have an item required to exhibit the work, the artist must provide. Gallery staff and provide advice and consult on assembling the exhibit and artwork. Gallery staff will assist artists during the installation, however the Gallery reserves the right to decline artwork or alter the exhibit based on safety, security and general policies determined by the college.
By submitting this form all artists involved in the proposal agree that they are the makers or co-makers of the images submitted. Everyone involved agree that the Hokin Gallery may display submitted images on campus or online at Hokin Gallery / Columbia College Chicago social media accounts. All parties agree that submitted works do not violate any federal, state, county or municipal laws, ordinances or regulations, or violate any college policy, regulation or rule as outlined in the Student Handbook and Columbia’s Student Code of Conduct. All parties acknowledge that any persons appearing in the photo have granted likeness permissions.
Again-
Need advice on how to assemble a proposal?
Schedule an appointment for advice with gallery management- Mark Porter, mporter@colum.edu
Or Use our handy how to guide- How to Create a Professional Exhibition Proposal
Are you a Columbia College Chicago student or graduated alumni?
Would you like to sell your work at ShopColumbia? Students earn 75% of
every sale. Alumni earn 50%.
Since
ShopColumbia opened in the fall of 2008, Shop artists have earned over
$450,000 from the sale of their work! ShopColumbia is continually
seeking new and fresh designs by Columbia College Chicago artists
including students, alumni, faculty and staff. We have a rolling
submission process so you can submit your work at any time!
Are you a Columbia College Chicago faculty or staff?
Would you like to sell your work at ShopColumbia? Faculty and staff earn 50% of every sale.
Since
ShopColumbia opened in the fall of 2008, Shop artists have earned over
$450,000 from the sale of their work! ShopColumbia is continually
seeking new and fresh designs by Columbia College Chicago artists
including students, alumni, faculty and staff.
ShopColumbia staff will review faculty and staff submissions and curate your work into our general Shop, rotating Spotlight Exhibitions, or special events (Holiday Market, Manifest Showcase, etc.) We have a rolling
submission process so you can submit your work at any time!
ShopColumbia is inviting Columbia College Chicago Academic Departments, Student Affairs, and Campus Events 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 Partnership Proposal Guide.
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.
Call For Work: Halloween-themed work for Dark Market!
ShopColumbia is hosting the Dark Market, a spooky collection of works by Columbia artists with an emphasis on the macabre. The Dark Market will feature all things spooky and magical with mediums including art prints, zines, books, stickers, jewelry, art objects, soft sculpture and more! The Dark Market should delight anyone who loves Halloween or hand made, one of a kind artwork.
Make sure to join us for the spooky festivities!
Details:
• One-of-a-kind or multiples are encouraged.
• All work must be available for purchase.
• Students earn 75% of every sale. Alumni, Staff and Faculty earn 50%.
Market Dates: October 6 - November 3, 2025
Submission Deadline: September 18, 2025, 11:59pm
Artwork Drop-off Deadline: September 25, 2025, 4pm
ShopColumbia announces a Call for Work for Columbia College Chicago current students, graduated alumni, faculty, and staff artists to contribute print work for our Spotlight Exhibition: A Print Show: Same but Different (July 15 – September 19, 2025).
A Print Show: Same but Different is a spotlight exhibition highlighting the idiosyncrasies within the printmaking media. Through artistic choices and experimentation with technique, inks, and paper as well as variances that can occur within the making process; slight differences within a series make each print unique.
Details:
- The primary media should be printmaking but additional materials can be used. Traditional printmaking techniques include woodcut, etching, engraving, and lithography. Modern printmaking techniques, such as screenprinting, will also be accepted.
- Multiples and editioned works are encouraged.
- Having at least one piece framed for display is encouraged.
- All work must be available for purchase. Students earn 75% of every sale. Alumni, faculty, and staff earn 50%.
- Newer works (2024 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 should be priced differently.
Submission Deadline: July 2 , 2025 (by 11:59pm)
Artwork Drop-off + Consignment Forms Deadline: July 10 , 2025 by 4pm
ShopColumbia is seeking an original illustration, design, or photograph for the signature image of ShopColumbia's 17th Annual Winter Holiday Market.
The signature image will be used as a printed tabloid size poster, handbills, social media, and front window display.
Details:
- Only currently enrolled or students who will be enrolled during the fall 2025 term are eligible to submit.
- A draft OR completed design can be submitted.
- Artist is responsible for the primary imagery only. Informational text about the event (dates, website, address, etc...) will be added by ShopColumbia staff.
- Artist may submit multiple submissions for consideration.
- Preferred size format is tabloid 11" x 17" but image should be able to be scaled larger for the front window display
- Color palette should be inclusive of all winter holidays and should not be predominantly red and green.
- Deadline: September 7, 2025
- Selected artist will receive a $400 licensing fee for the use of the image
Examples of previous designs below:
