What Jurors Want
Applying to a juried art show? I’m sure you’d love to know exactly what the jurors are looking for to increase your chances of getting in. While I can only share my personal process, I hope this will be helpful to artists navigating this experience.
Things to know when applying to a juried art show
Each submission will have its own specific criteria. Usually, this includes some combination of the following elements:
An artist statement or bio
High-quality images of your work
Image details (title, dimensions, medium, year, etc.)
Elements of a strong application
To give yourself the best chance, ensure your application includes:
Clear, bright images that showcase your work in its best light.
A succinct artist statement that shares the most important information first.
A focus on WHY you make art and how your chosen medium supports your intentions.
Understanding juror criteria
Jurors typically work with a rubric set by the organizing body. If no rubric is provided, jurors may apply their own standards. When I jury a show without a set rubric, I assess submissions based on the following:
Overall impression – Does the work stand out? Does it capture my attention?
Artwork quality and technique – Is the execution strong? Does the artist demonstrate skill in their medium?
Originality and creativity – Does the work feel fresh and unique?
Consistency – Does the body of work feel cohesive?
Relevance to the show – Does the artist’s work complement or add to the exhibition? Does it fill a gap or balance the overall selection?
If you didn’t get in…
Rejection is tough, but it doesn’t always mean your work wasn’t strong enough. Here are some common reasons an application may not have been accepted:
You submitted a wide variety of work to show your range. While this may seem like a good idea, it can negatively impact your consistency score and make it harder for jurors to envision how your work fits into the show.
The show had an overabundance of one genre, making competition steeper in your category.
Your images weren’t high quality (poor lighting, bad cropping, lack of clarity).
Your artist statement needed more refinement or clarity.
There were inconsistencies between your statement and your artwork.
Your work may have been too similar to another accepted artist’s, something you wouldn’t necessarily be aware of.
Rejection isn’t always a reflection of your talent—it’s often about curation, balance, and fit. Keep applying, refining your submissions, and learning from the process!
