Quad City Arts Exhibition Application 2025-26

Submit a proposal to showcase sculptures, ceramics, fiber, multi-media, digital, video, neon, or 2D art in one of Quad City Arts' two unique galleries. Selected artists will join 1-2 fellow artists for a two-month exhibition between October 2025 and September 2026. All media will be considered, and cohesive bodies of work are highly desired. Exhibited work will also be featured in the online sales gallery at shopquadcityarts.com.

Quad City Arts operates two galleries. The Rock Island Gallery occupies a 1908 department store space near the Mississippi River with 1,500 square feet of exhibition space and 106 running feet of wall space. Features include original wood floors, a 14-foot-high tin ceiling, and a wall of windows facing the river. This gallery is ideal for large work, both 2D and 3D, cutting-edge or experimental work, very small work requiring close-up viewing, installation work, and performance art. Artists are celebrated with a free public reception. The Art at the Airport Gallery is situated in the Quad Cities International Airport in Moline, IL, with 1,600 square feet of exhibition space in 4-foot-deep cases enclosed by 7-foot-tall locked glass panels. It accommodates works up to 7 feet tall and sculptures 4 feet wide, with numerous electrical outlets and controlled lighting ideal for neon or video work. Over 2 million visitors pass through annually. Due to the public nature of this space, no nudity or controversial works will be displayed, and no public receptions are currently held.

Applicants must submit 6 high-quality images of original artwork created in the last 3 years and not previously shown at Quad City Arts, along with a brief proposal stating the overall theme, idea, or inspiration behind the work and indicating the size range and quantity of pieces planned for exhibition. Two-person and group proposals are accepted, with up to 6 artists per application. Eligibility is open to all artists over 18 residing within 250 miles of Rock Island, Illinois (most of Illinois and Iowa, parts of Wisconsin and Missouri). Entry fee is $10. Deadline: January 20, 2025. Notification: February 28, 2025.