Showcase creativity in the Cultural Arts Gallery

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What is the Cultural Arts Gallery?

Art is at its best when on display for the world to interpret – and the Cultural Arts Gallery at IUPUI was established just for that. This creative process was designed for students and staff to express emotions, commemorate history, expose injustices and gain an understanding of the world around them.

Located on Level 1 of the Campus Center in room 148, the gallery displays an array of paintings, photographs, drawings, sculptures, 3-D pieces and any artistic expression you can put on a piece of paper or canvas.

"I really think of it as a disciplinary space that brings the visual culture into what is the greater academic culture of IUPUI," Emily Wilkes, curator of the Cultural Arts Gallery, said. "At this institution, you have people studying all kinds of things and they find a way to bring that together visually."

The Cultural Arts Gallery is open to everyone from the IUPUI and Indianapolis community to submit artwork, as well as the opportunity to come view other’s work. Artists of all levels and experiences are welcome to submit, no matter your major.

"There is no exclusivity or special treatment in terms of being established or not," Wilkes said. "It is a way of looking at what students who are studying x-rays are doing, along with what students in Herron have been creating all semester."

Artists have the freedom to put on shows, exhibits or just simply hang work in the gallery for viewing. Some exhibits show the beauty experienced in the artist’s world, while others challenge you to think and see your own world differently.

Curators like Wilkes are in charge of displaying art in a visually appealing manner in order to attract bystanders. Curators also collaborate with the artist to bring their vision to life, and they adapt the display to fit the space and accessibility standards of the gallery.

"We try to have something in there at all times," Wilkes said. "The space and the location are how we get most of our viewers. If the work is eye-catching enough, people walk in."

3 steps to display your work in this free art space

  • Contact the gallery by email to display your artwork and get permission to hold an exhibit or show. Make sure your request is made at least three months before you want to showcase your work in order for the staff to prepare.
  • Fill out the exhibit request form, and then wait for your application to be reviewed. Any application that comes through will be reviewed when scheduling for the next period. If an artist seems like a proper fit for the gallery and season, a site visit will be scheduled. Every artist has the opportunity to see the space in person before signing any paperwork. From there, artists are given policy forms which include all the specific information about what is expected of the artist.
  • Showcase your artwork. Throughout the school year, work usually stays in the gallery for around one month and may stay longer during summer months.

Wilkes will be putting out a formal deadline for fall exhibits later this semester. To see upcoming artwork, shows and exhibits and to learn more about displaying your own art, follow the Cultural Arts Gallery on Instagram.

These images are promotional pieces from past, current and upcoming exhibits.