13th Biennial Ontario Open Exhibition

Call for Artwork

May 1 – July 20, 2025 

The Ontario Museum of History & Art and the Ontario Museum Associates present the 13th Biennial Ontario Open Art Exhibition. This juried exhibition celebrates contemporary artists working in all mediums, offering a unique opportunity to showcase their creativity and connect with fellow artists.

The Ontario Museum Associates is an organization that actively supports educational programs and community events at the Ontario Museum of History & Art through volunteer staffing, fundraising, and membership. To learn more about the Ontario Museum of History & Art, Associates visit Oma1996.com.

Important Dates: 

· Submission Portal Opens: December 10, 2024

· Submission Deadline: January 31, 2025 (Eastern Standard Time)

· Notice of Selection: February 18, 2025

· Artwork Delivery to Museum: April 3-5, 2025

· Notice of Winner selection: April 28-30, 2025

· Community Reception: May 3, 2025

· Exhibition Closes: July 20, 2025

· Artwork Pick up from Museum: July 24-26, 2025

Participation:

 · Selection

• The selection is on a first-come, first-served basis. There will be a limited number of total artworks we can accept.
• Artists are able to submit up to two (2) entries. Acceptance of both pieces is dependent on scale and available gallery space. Please prioritize your works when submitting and know that both submitted works are not guaranteed display. The artist must reside in Southern California. 
  • Submitting an application does not guarantee participation in the exhibition.
  • The submitted information about your artwork will be reviewed. If all criteria for participation located under       “Requirements for Participation” section have been met, you will be notified via email if your artwork was chosen for participation.
  • If selected, you will receive an email detailing the instructions for scheduling your delivery of artwork and other related exhibiting information.

    
  
  Entry Fees
  
  There is an entry fee to participate in this exhibition.
   

• $45 for one artwork
• $75 for two artworks
• Payment must be made on the day of delivery.
• Form of payments include Cash or Check

Selection of winners

• 1st Prize= $750
• 2nd Prize= $500
• 3rd Prize= $350
• Four Honorable Mentions= $100 each
• City Council Liaison Award= $400
• Steve Thomas Photography Award= $750

Requirements for Participation in Ontario Open:

Artwork Specifications:

· The artwork must have been created with the last two (2) years and has not been previously exhibited at the Ontario Museum of History & Art.

· The artwork must be completed before applying. No sketches, concept art, mood boards, thumbnails, rough compositions, or incomplete work will be accepted for review.

· Two-dimensional and three-dimensional artwork in any stable media will be accepted.

· Artworks must be no larger than 50 inches in any direction and be no more than 50 pounds.

· Two-dimensional works must be framed (or have finished edges) and ready to hang with secure wire attached or cleat.

· Artwork with saw tooth hangers will not be accepted.

· Surfaces of artwork must be completely dry and stable.

· Please attach a sleeve on the back of the artwork if it is a textile, such as a quilt.

· If you are submitting a three-dimensional piece, please make sure it is sturdy, not only for the safety of the guests but the artwork as well. Artwork that is not properly prepared for display will not be accepted.

· Video art or time-based media with audio will be considered for the open call. There will only be two 32” TV monitors available. Video projection is not eligible. 

· To avoid confusion, artworks should be hand-labeled with the title (“untitled” if applicable), artist’s name, and telephone number. 

· Any artwork or installations that contain pests, pet hair, odor, decaying remains, ashes, plant base, food base, liquids, or weapon paraphernalia will not be accepted if it poses a risk to the public or staff.

· Artwork cannot be removed from display during the exhibition run.

· The Museum reserves the right to refuse artwork that is in poor condition or that is deemed otherwise unacceptable for installation.  

Artwork Drop-Off/Pick-up Procedures:

• Participants must be available to drop-off artwork between April 3rd through April 5th
• Loan Document and Condition Report: The Collections team will condition your artwork, and the Curator of Collections will review the loan documents with you.
• Proxy: If you use a proxy to drop off your artwork, they will sign all loan documents on your behalf. They must bring a valid ID and a letter signed by you stating you are designating them as your proxy and permitting them to sign for you.
• Participants must be available to pick up artwork between July 24, 2025, and July 26, 2025.
• Proxy: If you use a proxy to pick up your artwork, they will sign all return loan documents on your behalf. They must bring a valid ID and a letter signed by you stating you are designating them as your proxy and permitting them to sign for you. 

Abandoned Works: 

• Artwork left unclaimed after the scheduled pick-up date will undergo Museum abandonment procedures. The Museum will attempt to contact or negotiate the object’s return to the lender. In the event that the lender fails to claim their artwork after repeated attempts by the Museum to contact them, the loaned artwork may be subject to the State of California's Unclaimed Loan law, California Civil Code Section 1500 et seq., and/or the provisions of California Civil Code Section 1899 et seq.

Onsite Sales of Artwork: 

• Onsite sales of artwork are not an objective of the 13th Biennial Ontario Open Art Exhibition.  The Ontario Museum of History & Art is a department of the City of Ontario, Community, Life & Culture Agency, and is not a commercial gallery. The purpose of the exhibition is to provide opportunities for artists of the region to exhibit artwork for the benefit of the City of Ontario and the Museum’s regional audience. The Museum will not represent artists, provide sales prices, or receive commissions for artwork transactions. Sale of artwork on display may not be conducted on the Museum property. The Museum will provide a public space to display artists’ business-style cards. This way, visitor queries will go directly to the artist.

General Event Information: 

The Ontario Art Book Fair is a one-day unique, and regional showcase of artists' books, catalogues, monographs, periodicals, and zines hosted at the City of Ontario's Museum of History & Art on Saturday, March 29, 2025 from 11 AM - 5 PM.  

At the inaugural Ontario Art Book Fair we will highlight exhibitors from around the country with an emphasis on California-based artists and publishers. Exhibitors from the Inland Empire are strongly encouraged to participate. All publishing houses, independent press collectives, artists, zine-makers, printmakers and individuals practicing in experimental paper formats are welcome and encouraged to apply. As a participating exhibitor your items for sale must include 80% books, zines and printed material. Other items such as original artwork, apparel, pins and stickers must constitute only 20% of your items for sale.  

Categories include: All publishing houses, independent press collectives, artists, zine-makers, printmakers, and individuals practicing in experimental paper formats are welcome and encouraged to apply.

Deadline: 

The deadline to apply for Ontario Art Book Fair is Thursday, February 13th by 5 PM PST/ 2 PM EST. 

Fees: 

The fee to participate is $50. 

Exhibitors will retain 100% of sales made. The City will not take a percentage of sales made at the Ontario Art Book Fair.
 

Logistics: 

Exhibitors will be provided with one 6ft table, one black tablecloth and two chairs. Exhibitiors may not add additional fixtures beyond the 8ft by 4ft footprint provided. Exhibiting will take place indoors in the Museum art galleries and outdoors in the courtyard. If exhibitors are placed outdoors, the City will provided a canopy. If there is rain, all exhibitors and activities will be moved into the Museum. 

Parking is free and located in the San Bernardino County parking lot located on Lemon Avenue and Transit Street, as well as surrounding street parking near the Museum. All exhibitor areas are located on the ground floor and are ADA accessible.  

Table sitters will be available, as well as an exhibitor lounge will be provided inside the Ontario Museum of History & Art.  

Requirements to Consider: 

Exhibitors must be 18+ years to participate. 

If selected, you will be asked to complete an Artist Waiver and pay the $50 fee by Monday, March 10th. If these items have not been submitted to the City by Monday, March 10, exhibitors will no longer be eligible to take part in the Ontario Art Book Fair.