Call for Membership
We Are accepting applications for new members for the 2026-27 Exhibition Cycle!
Carnation is seeking new member artists for Cycle 6 (beginning in July 2026 and ending December 2027) to join our artist-run gallery space in the Kenton neighborhood in Nort Portland. Carnation Contemporary is an artist-run gallery space dedicated to championing critical and contemporary artwork while supporting emerging and mid-career artists from the Pacific Northwest. Artists working in all media, including vide and sound, are welcome to apply.
Deadline: 11:59 PM, Friday, February 27 (Pacific Standard Time)
About Carnation Contemporary
Founded in 2018, Carnation has been awarded numerous grants to support our member-centered approach–including Precipice Fund, Ford Family Foundation, and Regional Arts & Culture Council–and has been featured in publications ranging from local press to Hyperallergic and Art in America.We wish to foster a diverse community of member artists, including but not limited to diversity in race, ethnicity, language, religion, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability and age. We welcome applications from BIPOC, LGBTQIA2S+ community members, rural artists, people with disabilities, early-career and more established artists, an others who are underrepresented within the arts. We usually have 18 - 20 members.
* This cycle, Carnation was awarded funding to offer a scholarship for an artist facing financial barriers to monthly membership dues.
About Membership at Carnation Contemporary
Our next exhibition cycle runs for 18 months (July 2026 through December 2027). Members commit to the entire 18-month cycle (members are contractually obligated to contribute and participate for a full cycle when they sign on).We offer two types of membership: “full members” activate the entire gallery space for month-long exhibition, and “split-members” share the gallery space for one month with one other split-membership artist. Our dues are $95 for full membership and $60 for split membership (Split-members still contribute equally to gallery operations and ge the same benefits of membership, such as inclusion in group shows and exchanges, gallery publications, etc - but pay lower monthly dues). During a member’s exhibition month, the gallery is at their disposal to use as they wish. Artists have utilized the space
for solo shows, curatorial projects, workshops, art book-fairs, and more. Split members are welcome to collaborate or hold independent two-person exhibitions within th space. We welcome experimental approaches.
In addition to member shows, Carnation hosts special exhibitions such as group shows exchanges with other galleries, and free open calls. Members support each other i creating robust opportunities in the form of: gallery talks, panel discussions, publications, parties, fundraisers, member hangouts, studio visits, and more. Carnatio members retain 100% artwork sales, and members receive photo documentation of their exhibitions. We also share an endowment of equipment for gallery operation which are available for member use.
As Carnation is an artist-run gallery, members are actively involved in the day-to-day operations of the gallery. Members are expected to:
Be involved in committee work: Through committees, members divide responsibilities for publicity, administrative tasks, grant-writing and fundraising, gallery maintenance, budgeting, and events. Each member selects roles that fit their expertise - and contribute by pitching in. A member can expect to contribute 10 hours per month, on average. This will ebb and flow, based on select committees and skills, and can also be very flexible, with some roles having consistent, monthly demands, and others have times of the cycle with intense time needed mixed with stretches of downtime. - Gallery-sit for open hours: Each member commits to approximately 8-9 gallery shifts throughout the 18-month cycle during open hours (Sat-Sun, 12-5pm). Members may trade gallery sitting weekends or arrange a paid substitute in advance for these dates as well.
- When possible, come to openings to support their colleagues. We also expect members to share upcoming exhibitions and opportunities on their social media and other outlets. We support one another by showing up, and encouraging our respective communities to come out to exhibitions and other happenings.
- Participate in regular meetings. We expect all members to contribute to the decision-making and administrative tasks of running the gallery. We have a non-hierarchical governing structure that relies on accountability, communication, and collaboration.
It’s a lot of work, but it produces a strong community!
Who we are looking for...
Carnation is a great place for artists in many stages of their careers (must be 18+) to give and receive support for their practice and exhibitions. As mentioned above, we welcome applications from BIPOC, LGBTQIA2S+ community members, rural artists, people with disabilities, early-career and more established artists, and others who are underrepresented within the arts.Though the gallery has a physical location in Portland, our members are based throughout the greater Pacific Northwest. We welcome candidates from farther afield so long as they are able to stay involved with the gallery remotely via their committee involvement and monthly meeting attendance, and gallery sit the 8-9 aforementioned gallery shifts. Members who do not live in Portland, Oregon should be prepared to make occasional trips to the city to get the most out of their membership.
Many professional skills keep Carnation running. Though no specific experience is required, ideal candidates have a skill or two to lend to the group. Examples of skills needed include: administration, gallery maintenance, photo documentation, grant writing, social media, photo editing, marketing, managing brand assets, budget and finance, fundraising, curatorial work, networking, visioning, event planning, and many more talents we haven’t even thought of yet!
Please consider if you are able to confidently commit to the membership responsibilities and the labors of love that go into this community!
Submission Deadline: 11:59 PM, Friday, February 27, 2026
Review and interviews of shortlisted candidates: March 1 - March 21, 2026
Notification Date: On or before Friday, March 27, 2026
Application requirements:
To apply, please send a single PDF via a file share program of your choice or directly through email to info@carnationcontemporary.com with the subject heading “New Member Open Call – Your Name” that includes- Images of up to 10 art works: Each artist may submit up to 10 artworks and may provide up to two (2) images of each artwork (maximum 20 images) and label work with medium and scale. Video and sound-based artists may submit links to viewable or audio files. Please submit images of works made within the last 5 years.
- Brief Artist statement. Please describe what your artwork is and why you make it. The statement should provide context to help the selection committee understand what your work is about. Please feel free to address aspects of your identity that are important to you or your work, or that you think might bring different perspectives to Carnation (250 words max)
- CV or brief Artist Bio (1 page/350 words max)
- Answers to the following questions:
- Your name, location, phone number, email, and website or social media link (if applicable)
- Are you interested in a full membership, half membership, or are you flexible?
- What are your goals as an artist? How do you see the benefits of membership supporting you and your creative goals at this time in your career? (150 words max)
- Since Carnation is an artist-run space that thrives on the energy and skills of its members, how do you see yourself contributing to and being a part of this community? What skills and attributes can you bring to the group as a member? For example: website building, grant writing, fundraising, construction skills, administrative experience. (150 words max)
- Tell us about a tool (physical or digital) that you use in your studio that you are really into right now? Why? (Just for fun).
- Optional: We have been awarded funding to offer a scholarship for an individual for whom the dues present a financial barrier. Would you need to be considered for this scholarship in order to be able to join? If so, please tell us how the scholarship could support you and your work? If not, you can leave this question out.