Artomatic 419 - Exhibition and Performance

Artomatic 419 - Call for Artists

Submissions Open Until August 1, 2025

SUMMARY

Based on popular demand and years of requests by local artists, The Arts Commission is excited to once again present Artomatic 419!

This multi-day event, scheduled for September 19-21, will provide access to indoor exhibition space in vacant or underutilized Downtown buildings to more than 100 visual artists and offer main stage and small stage performance areas for literary, film, and other artists. Artomatic 419 is a non-juried, multidisciplinary local art exhibition for any creative to showcase their work.

The Artomatic 419 model brings together artists to co-create and execute this unique festival experience. Numerous Toledo artists credit Artomatic with getting their artistic careers off the ground.

ARTIST SCHEDULE

June 13 - August 1

Call open until August 1 or all spaces selected and time slots filled. 

September 14 - 18

Artists can access the space and start installing work. A schedule with specific times will be provided prior to September 14.

Thursday, September 18

All work needs to be installed by the end of the day.

Friday, September 19 5pm - 9pm

Artist Mixer and opening night of Artomatic 419.

Saturday, September 20 2pm - 10pm and Sunday, September 21 11am - 3pm

Event hours over the weekend.

Monday, September 22 - Friday, September 26

De-installation of work. All work needs to be out by the end of day Friday. Any walls that have been painted need to be whitewashed with an approved color shade. A schedule with specific times will be provided prior to September 18. 

LOCATION

Event: Erie Street Market, 201 S Erie St, Toledo, OH 43604

Parking: Erie Street Market Lot, Street Parking, or designated spaces in the Cork & Knife Provision lot; 224 S Erie St, Toledo, OH 43604. A parking map will be shared prior to September 14. 

PROJECT ASSESSMENT

The Arts Commission Will Not Show:

• Anything that consists of an incitement to hatred primarily against a group of people defined in terms of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, religion, or sexual orientation.

• Anything deemed an unreasonable safety hazard (fire or otherwise).

Requirements:

• Exhibiting artists must participate in at least one volunteer shift during the festival that may include set-up, tear-down, safely monitoring, or other duties as assigned.

• Exhibiting artists must have a residence or creative studio within 50 miles of downtown Toledo, Ohio.

Artists are responsible for:

• All equipment and supplies needed for the project.

• Promoting their work.

• Providing visible contact information.

• Dealing directly with any sales or inquiries about the work.

• Obtaining a vendor’s license if conducting sales at the event.

• Using appropriate display techniques that have been approved by the individual venue and The Arts Commission.

Exhibiting artists will work directly with The Arts Commission staff and Artomatic 419 committee contacts for project logistics, including determining install times, access to space, and approved display techniques. Specific date and times for installation and deinstallation will be coordinated closer to the event, including any project needing special arrangements. It is not the venue’s or The Arts Commission’s responsibility to promote your show individually or sell your work. 

If any of the expectations outlined here and with the individual venue are not met, The Arts Commission reserves the right to kindly revoke participation in the project. The Arts Commission will provide overall venue access and all coordination, marketing, and promotion of Artomatic 419.

WHAT CAN ARTISTS EXPECT?

• Depending on the space selected, exhibiting artists will either be given a 6’x6’ space with perpendicular 6’x8’ walls or a 4’x6’ space with one or two 4’x8’ walls. The renderings under HOW TO APPLY below includes a detailed layout with measurements.

• If artists are applying to exhibit a timed performance including, but not limited to, dance, music, or spoken word please be sure to click the performance sign-up link under HOW TO APPLY below. Multiple areas will be designated for performing artists who will have sound and spatial requirements. An effort will be made to include as many performance requests as possible based on logistical constraints and time available.

• The performance link is for artists who would like to be included in the performance schedule and designated performance spaces. Artists selecting exhibition spaces are welcome to have timed performances in their space but will not be on the official schedule and the noise level should not be louder than a normal conversation in consideration towards their neighboring exhibiting artists. 

• Type of display provided and utilities available, including outlets, will be determined by the space chosen. A number of temporary and movable walls will be placed; layout and square footage of wall space is included in the rendering linked under HOW TO APPLY below. If artwork needs a specialized display it will be up to the artist to provide. 

• Tables, chairs, and pedestals are not provided. 

• Power tools, nails, and screws are not provided. 

• Anything not listed under “Project Assessment” is allowed. Works not suitable for viewers under the age of 18 will need to be protected from public view and have clear signage. Any mature displays will need to be approved by an Arts Commission staff or board member before the start of the event. 

• The Arts Commission reserves the right to use artist work for promotional purposes. Copyright of selected works remains with the artist.

• Depending on the nature of their proposal, artists may be requested to obtain liability insurance. Neither the Arts Commission nor the presenting venue is liable for lost, stolen, or damaged works.

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must have a residence or creative studio within 50 miles of downtown Toledo, Ohio. Individual artists, teams, or collectives may apply. Some exhibition spaces may be prioritized for artist groups and interactive works depending on utility or other needs. There is no age limit for applicants, but artists under the age of 15 must have an adult present during set-up, tear-down, volunteer hours, and any time they are attending their exhibition space.
All applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, military status, sexual orientation, marital status, or physical or mental disability.

Artists are permitted to offer sales of their exhibition work if applicable. Exhibited works should remain on site in order to maintain a full exhibition space for the duration of the event.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

Fee: There is no fee to participate in Artomatic 419.

Required Volunteer Hours: Artists participating in Artomatic 419 must volunteer for at least one shift during the festival. Shifts will be shared with artists first along with details for how to use our new system. 

Parking: Parking is available in the lot behind Erie Street Market, on the street, and in designated spots in the lot across the street at 224 S Erie St, Toledo, OH 43604. A parking map will be shared prior to September 14. 

HOW TO APPLY

• View the images with descriptions and video walkthrough to determine which space you want to sign up for:

  • LAYOUT AND SELECTION MAP

  • VIDEO WALKTHROUGH

• Sign up for your preferred space here: Artomatic 419 Exhibition Space Sign-up

• If planning to exhibit a timed performance, please sign up here: Artomatic 419 Performance Sign-up

• Calls will remain open until all performance schedules and artist spaces have been filled.

CONTACT INFORMATION 

Tess Healy, Artomatic 419 & Events Manager
thealy@theartscommission.org 
(419) 254-2787 x1017