How do you create the perfect open call?
You are an organizer and have an exciting opportunity for artists. But now you need a platform to share it with the world. Well, look no further. From launch to submission and from selection to finalization of your opportunity: together with us, you will find the right creative talents. Below, we guide you through a few steps towards a successful open call.
Step 1: Choose the right opportunity
An open call is more than just a call for entries. It is an invitation to collaborate, grow and connect. With the right approach, you will not only expand your reach, but also attract artists who are a genuine fit for your project.
On this platform, we focus on five categories:
- Exhibition opportunity
- Creation opportunity
- Programme or trajectory
- Publication opportunity
- Residency
Step 2: Target the right artists
Who do you want to work with? Do you want to reach out to young artists or creators from a specific region? Does your open call require a specific technique, a particular theme or a certain size? By defining this clearly in advance, you not only make your call for entries clearer, but also simplify the selection process. It’s not the number of submissions that counts, but how well they fit within your vision.
Step 3: Don’t be shy to ask
Artists can demonstrate their skills to you in various ways. One or more pieces, a complete portfolio or a new sketch: it depends on the opportunity. For a creative project, for example, it is more effective to be convinced by an online portfolio, a selection of works, a preliminary study or a sketch. Avoid artists incurring significant costs before they have even been selected. Would you still like to see how the artists approach the proposal? In that case, you can work in several rounds and/or propose a small working budget to create a prototype.
For an exhibition opportunity, on the other hand, it is beneficial for participants to be able to apply with one or more works.
Step 4: Set a realistic timeline
A good open call takes time, both from you and from the artists. Decide in advance when you want to launch it, how long the call will remain online, and when you will announce the results.
Give everyone enough breathing space to submit something of value. If you run into a few delays along the way, be open about it. Clear, honest communication strengthens trust in your organisation.
Stap 5: Hecht belang aan Fair Pay
Iedere opdracht is anders, en dat vraagt ook telkens om een faire prijs.
Stel op voorhand een vergoeding vast. Dit hoeft niet altijd een geldprijs te zijn, maar kan ook gaan om de unieke toonkans of een feedbacktraject. Gaat het om een creatiekans? Geef dan ook een correct werkbudget mee dat in evenwicht staat met het werk dat geleverd moet worden. Want ook hier is Creative Fair Play key.
Is er een deelnamekost verbonden aan je kans? Geef dit dan duideijk en helder weer in je oproep. Kansen met een deelnameprijs of kosten voor de kunstenaar bekijken we steeds van dichterbij. Heb je hier vragen over? Mail ons.
Step 6: Advertise your open call on Kunstwerkt
On our opportunities platform, we’re keen to help you connect with the right artists. Among the 11,000 profiles, you might just find the person you’re looking for. Here are a few tips to help you showcase your opportunity on our platform:
- Choose a catchy title
- Write a short, powerful introduction that summarises your open call. Go through the checklist above, and make sure questions such as who, what, where, when and how are clearly answered.
- Select the right image. An image or photo without text often catches the eye the most. Furthermore, a square image (1:1) works best in our overview.
- Optional: include a set of rules. Do you have a lot of information to share? If so, consider drawing up a set of rules. Here, you can explain your organisation, clarify your approach and set out the timing in concrete terms. It is often more convenient for participants to be able to refer to a document that can be downloaded from the site, rather than an online page. What’s more, it keeps your launch page clear and organised. Ideally, provide the full competition rules in PDF format.
Step 7: Choose your winner(s)
The deadline has expired and you have received some promising submissions. Now it's up to you again!
If the approach of your open call was clear, you can get started right away. Do you have a few favorites on offer, but need a little more convincing? Then you can certainly talk to the selected candidates and possibly hold a second selection round. Make sure that those who are not selected are informed of your decision.
You don't necessarily have to decide on your own. It is often better to make the selection together with others. Choose people you trust, but who also look at the selection or submissions differently. Maybe you overlooked someone, or they point out other qualities. In the selection, dare to look beyond experience or well-known names. Give room for experimentation, failure, and growth. Try to understand why a jury makes certain choices. Such a jury report can provide interesting material for the mailing to all artists.
Have you noticed that, despite your efforts, you haven't found the right artist(s)? On Kunstwerkt, you will find a lot of artists who you can personally approach with your opportunity. By filtering on technique and location in the overview, you can also search more specifically for the perfect match.
Step 8: Inform the artists, and then the wider world, of your selection
Have you made your selection? Great! Make sure to inform not only those who have been selected, but also those who haven’t. Let all participants know how the selection process went and, where possible, include a few words from the jury: what stood out, what was the deciding factor? You don’t need to send detailed feedback, but do let them know that if they have any questions, they can certainly get in touch with you.
