Hokin Gallery Call for Group Exhibit Proposals- Fall Semester 2026
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Hokin Gallery is accepting proposals for 6-12 person exhibitions Deadline Monday, April 20, 2026
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 6 persons and maximum of 12 persons to be held in Hokin Gallery from September 23-November 13, 2026. The submission should be organized by one main contact person. All students enrolled in the 2025-2026 academic year are eligible however 80 percent of the participating students must be enrolled in classes for the Fall semester of 2026. Works submitted in the proposal may be works in progress but must be completed by the exhibit installation. Your proposal must include at least one idea for a related event that is hosted in an SSAC facility (Hokin, Haus, Shop Columbia or Makerspace)
Please be aware that we only have one available time in our calendar, so unfortunately we can only accept one proposal. Proposals will be reviewed by our Exhibition Planning Committee and a vote will be taken after each proposal is carefully reviewed. Successful proposals include all of the required items. The more detailed you can be, the better. Please keep in mind you may submit a proposal that includes works in progress
A full list of items that are prohibited in the gallery are listed below.
Need advice on what to submit? Please reach out, we can help! Contact Senior Art Program Coordinator Mark Porter, mporter@colum.edu
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 8 items
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 include their major and graduation year (minimum 6 persons, maximum 12 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. Please note you can adjust the layout later if needed
Hokin Gallery Floorplan- https://students.colum.edu/ssac/hokin-gallery-floorplan.pdf
7.Works to be exhibited (may be works in progress), we need an image for each work, title, description and requirements for exhibition.
8. Related event idea. In addition to Hokin Gallery, SSAC Manages Makerspace, Shop Columbia and event spaces. Priority will be given to an exhibit proposal that includes 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.
Here is an example of a program that was included in an approved proposal: Adventures with Monoprint: Alternative Uses of Lamination in Printmaking
Wednesday, February 7th, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Makerspace, 754 S. Wabash Ave,
2nd Floor. Join artist and printmaker XXXXXXXX to explore alternative methods
of printmaking with laminated textures and objects. In this two hour workshop,
you will learn to laminate textural objects and make basic monoprint designs
(a la texture rubbings). Attendees will leave with a successful monoprint and
the laminated “block” that can be used to reproduce. Armed with the basics of
laminating and relief printing introduces new, alternative ways to incorporate
printmaking at home. Please bring your own objects, ephemera, and textures to
work with!
If you need to upload video, audio or large files separately, you may do so below
Important dates:
Application deadline: Monday, April 20, 2026 Review and Accept/Decline artists: May 5
Artwork Drop-Off September 14
Install: September 15-22
Exhibit dates: September 23-November 13
Exhibit Reception: Thursday, Sept 24, 4-6pm
Artwork Pick up dates: Nov 16
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
The Following items and activites are not allowed in Hokin Gallery:
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 activites:
• 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, exterior facing windows
• 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
The following 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