Call for artists
We are currently inviting applications from jewellers and 2D artists wishing to join our art collective as a guest or member
Exhibiting at ArtSpring Gallery
ArtSpring Gallery is a stylish and friendly artist-run contemporary gallery situated at the historic north end of Tonbridge High Street. We set up this collaborative project with 18 local artists to bring high quality artists’ work including paintings, prints, ceramics, glass and jewellery to West Kent.
We are inviting applications from jewellers and 2D artists who live within 1 hour travel distance from Tonbridge wishing to join our art collective. Members are required to live about an hour’s travel distance from Tonbridge, guest artists can apply from slightly further afield. We encourage you to come and visit the gallery before considering exhibiting with us.
Become a member of our art collective
This offers an artist a wonderful opportunity to:
- be a part of a supportive artistic community
- contribute and learn skills associated with the smooth running of a gallery
- extensively promote one’s work on the gallery website and online shop, on social media and in the local press
- interact with the public when stewarding and at our monthly ‘Meet the artist’ events
All our members have an active role in the running of the gallery.
MEETINGS
As a collective we try to involve all members in our decision making process and hold group meetings every 8 weeks to discuss ongoing plans and events.
TEAMS
We have a number of teams. Members are expected to take on responsibility for at least one aspect of running the gallery. Currently these include but are not limited to Marketing, PR & Social Media, Website & Design, Submissions & Recruitment, Finance Curation and Events
SKILLS
It is important to the smooth running of the gallery that each individual brings an additional skill, besides their extraordinary artwork, to help support the gallery.
STEWARDING
All of our artists take turns at spending a day in the gallery on a flexible rota to allow for regular or other commitments. This means stewarding approximately once every 3 weeks.
PROMOTION
We introduce any new artist at a special ‘Meet the artist’ event, usually on the First Saturday of each month. This is promoted via our newsletter, social media platforms and posters in the gallery. The gallery and its members regularly feature in the local press and on social media. All members are encouraged to play an active role in promoting the gallery.
FEES
In line with our collective art gallery model all our members pay a monthly membership fee of £60 plus 25% commission on sales. There is also a joining fee of £250 which is re-funded when a member decides to leave the collective.
New members need to commit to a minimum period of 6 months. If you wish to leave the art collective, we require two months’ notice.
DISPLAY OF YOUR WORK
Artwork will be displayed amongst other members’ and guest artists’ work throughout the gallery. A new member has work shown in the window for the first two weeks and then by rotation.
All work must be original, by the hand of the artist. Giclee prints are not accepted unless an integral part of the creation. Members and guest artists also have their work shown on the gallery website and online store.
Submissions
If you wish to apply to join the ArtSpring Gallery please click this link to an online submission form.
We meet once a month to review recent applications and enquiries and it can therefore take up to four weeks before a member of our submissions team will get back to you.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Be a guest artist for two months
All new 2D guest artists will have their work displayed in our window for two weeks, plus a general display in the gallery for two months. A number of the works by 3D and jewellery guests would be in the window throughout their time at the gallery.
We are currently not taking on new guest artists due to preparations for our Open Exhibition in January 2024. We will start accepting applications for new guests again soon, so check back for updates.
PROMOTION
We introduce any new artist via a special ‘Meet the artist’ event which is usually the First Saturday of each month. This is promoted via our newsletter, social media platforms and posters in the gallery. We also create an individual page for each artist on our website with regular posts on making and finished pieces on social media. As a guest artist you would not be involved in any aspects of the running of the gallery, and we take care of displaying and promoting your work.
FEES
To cover all this, we charge a non-refundable fixed fee of £200 for two months plus a 20% commission on sales.
What recent guest artists have said about showing with us:
GUEST ARTIST BLOG
Read more about the experience of one of our guest artists exhibiting with us.
SUBMISSIONS
If you wish to apply to show your work as a guest artist click below.