How to Join  

  

We welcome your application for membership to C'ville Arts Cooperative Gallery. As a cooperative, we work together to operate the store, helping to keep our art affordable. We actively seek both emerging and professional artists to join us as members. If you are a talented and capable artist, we want you!  

  

You must be a resident of Virginia to join. Membership in C’ville Arts is based on jurying. Prospective members submit work during open calls four times each year. Your artwork along with supplementary materials, are judged by our current working membership. You do not need to be a professional artist/craftsperson or have any specific educational credentials, though we look for a unified body of work that meets the following criteria:   

  

Originality: Your art/craft should be inventive on many levels, reflecting your personal vision and creativity.  

  

Artistry: Whether decorative, functional, or wearable, your work should be interesting, creative, and committed to an artistic direction.   

  

Technical Mastery: Your art/craft should demonstrate mastery of formal elements and skilled handling of materials relevant to the medium.   

  

Presentation: Your art/craft should be submitted as it would be exhibited for sale in the gallery (two dimensional work should be matted and in a plastic sleeve or in a frame, wired and ready to hang. Prices should be clear to us either on your application or on your work). 

  

Membership Options 

 

Artists may apply as a Working Member or an Associate Member. There are two categories for Working Members described below. We welcome both Working and Associate Member applications and do not discriminate during the jury process as to which category you choose. We are a group of creative and curious artists who enjoy community, each other’s company, and the inspiration and synergy that come about while working together. (We play together too.)  

  

WORKING MEMBERS:

All new working members begin with a provisional percentage-based 6-month contract. At the end of this period,

if all working member requirements are fulfilled, the new member will be welcomed as a full member with voting rights. At that time, the member can request a change to dues-paying status.

 

            Benefits of Working Membership

• Full voting rights for jurying and policy/business decisions

• Receive display space in the front room of the gallery

• Have the opportunity to be the Featured Artist of the Month every other year and featured window display once a year.

 

1. Percentage-Based Working Membership:  

   • No monthly fee  

   • Receive 72% of their actual sales (28% to Co-op for Administrator’s pay and overhead expenses)  

   • Work in the shop 10-16 hours/month depending on season and number of members  

   • Perform one assigned extra duty averaging 2 hrs/month   

2. Dues-Paying Working Membership:  

   • $85 monthly dues  

   • Receive 87% of their actual sales (13% to Co-op for Administrator’s pay and overhead expenses)  

   • Work in the shop 10-16 hours/month depending on season and number of members  

   • Perform one assigned extra duty averaging 2 hrs/month  

    

ASSOCIATE (NON-WORKING) MEMBERS:

• Month-to-month contract, cancelable by either party with 30 days’ notice  

• No work requirements other than keeping your display well-stocked  

• $10 monthly fee  

• Receive 60% of their actual sales (40% to Co-op for Administrator’s pay and overhead expenses) 

• $100 deposit (refunded if/when member leaves if they have met all contractual agreements)

• Have the opportunity for a featured window display once a year.

 

 

Application Deadlines for 2026:  

• Sunday, March 29

• Sunday, June 7

• Sunday, August 9

• Sunday, October 18

 

All application materials must be submitted by the deadline in order to be considered for jury.

 

Application Materials Checklist  

1. Artwork: Five or six selections of original work presented at the store for jury process including prices and packaging (submitted as it would be exhibited for sale in the gallery, e.g. matted, framed, titled, etc.)

2. Artist Statement: Discuss how the work manifests your artistic intent and ideas. Please include a summary of relevant education, experience, individual and/or group shows, other venues, Website, FB page, and Instagram account, etc.    

3. Application Fee: $20.00 non-refundable fee must accompany the application.   

4. Completed Application Form

5. Digital Photos: In addition to original works presented to the store please send digital samples of your 5 or 6 selected works for jury to our New Member Coordinator, Meg West: megwest@earthlink.net These images are not a substitute for presenting your original work.

  

All application materials can be dropped off at the gallery during our business hours or mailed to:  

C’ville Arts Cooperative Gallery, 118 E. Main St., Charlottesville, VA 22902  

  

 

MORE QUESTIONS?  

Not sure how to get started selling your work? Wondering if expanding into a retail cooperative is a good move for you? Unsure about the time or financial commitment of joining C’ville Arts? We want to support and encourage all Virginia artists and can help you determine whether C’ville Arts is a good fit for you.

 

Please email your questions to our New Member Coordinator, Meg West: megwest@earthlink.net