2025 SF Open Studios Call-for-Art: FLEX

Ends on

2025 SF Open Studios

Campaign Collateral Competition

ArtSpan’s 51st annual production of its citywide SF Open Studios program is a testament to the enduring power of art to bridge communities, and to the unyielding spirit of the artists who have been at the forefront of shaping San Francisco's cultural identity. ArtSpan and SF Open Studios have remained steadfast in its commitment to serving the artists who make San Francisco a hub of creativity, counter-culture, and free-thinkers. We are proud to have presented five decades of uninterrupted SF Open Studios, spanning historic earthquakes, soaring real-estate, the tech “boom,” the pandemic, and to now be contributing to the city's revival.

ArtSpan Artists are invited to brag via their artwork submissions to our exciting 2025 theme of "FLEX." The SFOS Campaign Collateral Competition (CCC) seeks 6 artworks—each by different artists—to be widely used as part of ArtSpan’s expansive promotion of SF Open Studios. Our multimedia marketing campaign prominently features winning artworks on SFOS print and digital materials distributed throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

FLEX💪

"FLEX" invites ArtSpan artists to boldly showcase their most exceptional work—the pieces that demand attention and demonstrate their highest level of skill and creativity. This is your chance to show off, celebrate your talent, and share what makes your art stand out. Submit your boldest, brightest, and most brag-worthy work—pieces that pushed your skills to new heights, underscore your artistic excellence; compositions that make you ridiculously proud. We want to see what you consider your best in show. Now is your opportunity to visually brag—this is your time to FLEX 💪.

DETAILS

Entry Deadline: Sunday, April 27 @ 11:59PM
*You must have an active ArtSpan Artist Membership to be eligible for consideration*

Top Winner & Finalist Notification: May 2025

For Questions: email info@artspan.org

1 Top Winner and 5 Finalists will be selected, for a total of six awards.
The Top Winner will receive a $1,000 artist stipend and complimentary Premier registration for SFOS 2025*
5 Finalists will be awarded $250 each, as well as complimentary Premier registration for SFOS 2025*

*By submitting to this call, you agree that if your artwork is selected you will participate in ArtSpan’s 2025 SF Open Studios program.

The Top Winner’s artwork will be featured as the 2025 SF Open Studios Guide Cover
Finalists will be featured throughout the Guide and as page dividers between weekend sections.
ALL will be prominently featured in additional programmatic promotional materials, collateral, and relevant public relations and marketing efforts.
ALL selected artists agree to make their submitted artwork available for sale and inclusion in the SF Open Studios Exhibition for the duration of the 2025 season.
If at the time of submission reviews you are not yet an active ArtSpan Artist Member, your submission will automatically be declined.

Finalists and top Winner are selected by SF Open Studios designer Jeremy Joven of JOVEN CREATIVE, with input from ArtSpan staff and board.

ABOUT SF OPEN STUDIOS

A beloved annual tradition since 1975, ArtSpan’s citywide SF Open Studios (SFOS) offers residents and tourists the free opportunity to engage directly with artists actively contributing to the region’s unique creative culture and vibrancy. SFOS mobilizes hundreds of artists, who are members of ArtSpan, to open their studios from 11am to 5pm according to geographic quadrants that align with weekend dates. SF Open Studios is ArtSpan’s flagship program. In addition to SFOS, ArtSpan provides year-round artist support by way of artist professional development workshops, networking mixers, public art and exhibition opportunities, and more. Learn more at artspan.org/artists

ArtSpan’s 51st SF Open Studios season runs from September 19 through October 19, 2025.

ArtSpan’s Premier SFOS Registration includes:

Artist Listing in the Printed Guide widely distributed to households and businesses in the SF Bay Area
Eligibility to participate in the SF Open Studios Exhibition*
*Selected artists are required to have their winning artwork on display at the SFOS Exhibition, and have the option to display an additional piece within the exhibition that fits within a 20” x 20” hanging space.
Eligibility to be considered for the AMPLIFY: Juror's Choice Awards with recognition in the SFOS Exhibition & at the Art Tasting event
Inclusion in the Online Guide & Map
Access to Venues Seeking Artists list to connect with spaces in San Francisco open to hosting SFOS artists for select weekends
Eligibility to purchase discounted advertising space in the SFOS Printed Guide
Branded Media Kit to help promote your SFOS participation

2025 Weekends & Neighborhoods
Click to View Map

ALL STUDIOS MUST BE OPEN FROM AT LEAST 11AM TO 5PM

Weekend 1 | Sept. 20 & 21

Richmond, Sunset, Inner Sunset, Parkside, Twin Peaks, West Portal, Excelsior, Cole Valley, Haight Ashbury, OMI (Outer Mission/Ingleside), Oceanview, Glen Park, Portola

Weekend 1 Studio Buildings include: Francisco Studios, Hunt & Gather, San Francisco Women Artists Gallery, Workspace Artists SF

Weekend 2 | Sept. 27 & 28

Noe Valley, Castro, Bernal Heights, West Mission, the Mission

Weekend 2 Studio Buildings include: 1890 Bryant Street Studios, Art Explosion - 2425 17th St, Art Explosion - 744 Alabama St, Miro Studios, Developing Environments, Pacific Felt Factory, Project Artaud, Redbrick Ceramic Studio, Ruby’s Clay Studio

Weekend 3 | Oct. 4 & 5

North Beach, Downtown, Duboce Triangle, Marina, Hayes Valley, Pacific Heights, Laurel Heights / Presidio Heights, Nopa/Divisadero, Nob Hill, Russian Hill, Chinatown, Civic Center, East Cut, South Beach

Weekend 3 Studio Buildings include: Journal Building

Weekend 4 | Oct. 11 & 12

SOMA, Dogpatch, Bayview, Potrero Hill, Mission Bay

Weekend 4 Studio Buildings include: Arc Studios & Gallery, Graphic Arts Workshop, Islais Creek Studios, Noonan Building, Public Glass, Revere Studios, Root Division, Yosemite Place

Weekend 5 | Oct. 18 & 19

Hunters Point Shipyard Artists

ELIGIBILITY

You must be a current ArtSpan Artist Member to be eligible for consideration
If selected, you must participate in SF Open Studios 2025
All entries must be original and created within the past 5 years
Submissions from artists who have not been awarded as a winner or finalist within the last 5 years, will be prioritized
Collaborations are accepted
Work must not have been used for print material purposes (other than to promote the work of artist)
All selected artworks must have the submission available for viewing during the SFOS Exhibition from September 19 through October 19, 2025
All selected artworks must be available for sale
You must be the owner and creator of the submitted work

REQUIREMENTS

Entries representing all media will be accepted, including painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, sculpture, mixed media, fiber, furniture, glass, new media.
One entry per artist.
Artist statement of originality – 150 words describing what inspired the piece and how it relates to the theme FLEX.
Selected artists are required to have their winning artwork on display at the SFOS Exhibition from September 19 through October 19, 2025.
By submitting to this call-for-entry you agree that your image may be respectfully modified or reconfigured for use across multiple platforms, including digitally, in print and online. Art may be altered for use in various orientations (vertical, horizontal, or square), and portions may be used as graphic accents.
All entry image files for the initial entry should be submitted in JPEG format. Maximum 5MB.
All image files must be titled with artist’s last name and first name (ex: SmithJane.jpg)
If chosen, artist must provide a high-resolution image appropriate for print: 300 dpi image at least 8 inches wide in CMYK. Artist will be responsible for additional photography that may be required to meet print quality standards.

TIPS

Successful entries feature artwork that

visually responds to the theme
has elements which can stand alone and apart from the composition as a whole
can have text overlaid or will work in conjunction with text

Winning pieces are traditionally used on billboards, posters, digital ads, and postcards, with accompanying text >>See 2023 Examples Here<<

• • •

SAMPLE RELEASE OF ARTWORK (for selected artists)

By submitting this form and digital artwork image(s) (“Artwork”), I hereby grant ArtSpan, SF Open Studios, and the ArtSpan board, employees, contractors, and assigns (collectively, “ArtSpan”) a perpetual, unlimited, non-exclusive and irrevocable license to use, display, and reproduce the Artwork and any corresponding identifying information or written material created, installed or produced in connection with this Agreement for ArtSpan’s promotion of SF Open Studios 2025, as well as for any other purpose, in all forms and media and in all manners, in whole or in part, and to authorize the making, display and distribution of reproductions and derivative works of the Artwork in ArtSpan’s sole discretion. I agree that I will not be entitled to any compensation or royalty payment from ArtSpan for such uses, reproductions or derivative works.

I warrant that I created the Artwork submitted and that I am the sole copyright owner and, subject to the perpetual and irrevocable license granted to ArtSpan under this Agreement, shall retain the copyright to the Artwork. I agree to indemnify and hold ArtSpan harmless from any claims, losses, and liabilities (including attorney fees, court costs, and all other litigation expenses) arising out of any copyright infringement or other intellectual property rights claims in connection with ArtSpan’s use of the Artwork. I also agree that I will not make any claims against ArtSpan arising out of its selection and use of the Artwork.

I acknowledge that should ArtSpan select my Artwork as SF Open Studios 2025 Campaign Collateral Competition Top Winner or Finalist, I will make the original artwork available for additional digital photography and that ArtSpan may modify, crop or edit the Artwork, including any written material, in its sole discretion. I waive any right to inspect or approve ArtSpan publications or reproductions of the Artwork, including any written material that may be created in connection therewith.

I am 18 years of age or older and have the authority to enter into this license and release, and am fully familiar with its contents; or I am a parent or legal guardian submitting on behalf of a minor or dependent adult and have full authority to authorize this license and release, and agree to assume any liabilities therein.

SF Open Studios Equity Grant (2025)

Ends on

Submit

Para ayuda en español, contáctase con Vanessa Wilson, vanessa@artspan.org

ArtSpan’s Equity Grant awards complimentary PREMIER level SF Open Studios (SFOS) Registration to 10 Bay Area-based artist applicants from underserved communities. The Equity Grant was developed to increase the accessibility and inclusivity of our SF Open Studios program, and to draw attention to the under-recognized contributions of BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and disabled visual artists to the San Francisco Bay Area’s artistic landscape.

The SF Open Studios Equity Grant serves artists of all levels—emerging, rising, and established—from underrepresented communities and of intersectional identities. In reviewing applications, we take into consideration the applicant’s commitment to their creative practice and to presenting an SF Open Studios event.

ABOUT SF OPEN STUDIOS (SFOS):

A beloved annual tradition since 1975, ArtSpan’s citywide SF Open Studios connects local artists to San Francisco’s residents and visitors. Now in its uninterrupted 51st production, ArtSpan’s SF Open Studios is a testament to the enduring power of art to bridge communities, and to the unyielding spirit of the artists who have been at the forefront of shaping the city's cultural identity.

ArtSpan’s SF Open Studios program mobilizes hundreds of artists, who are members of ArtSpan, to publicly open their studios from 11AMto 5PM according to geographic regions that align with weekend dates. Our 2025 season will run from September 19 through October 19, 2025 (full schedule below).

SF Open Studios is ArtSpan’s flagship program and is accompanied by the SFOS Exhibition at SOMArts Cultural Center and a printed Guide catalog (more info below). This year, we will be distributing up to 15,000 copies of the Guide throughout the Bay Area.

In addition to SF Open Studios, ArtSpan provides year-round artist support by way of artist professional development workshops, networking mixers, public art and exhibition opportunities, and more. Learn more at artspan.org/artists