Urban Stories Photography Open Call

Art Center Waco invites emerging and established photographers from Texas to submit original images for this juried photography exhibition celebrating the beauty, complexity, and humanity of urban life.

Exhibition Focus: "Urban Stories" seeks photographs that capture the authentic moments of daily life in our cities and towns—the people, interactions, routines, celebrations, and quiet observations that define our shared urban experience. From bustling street scenes to intimate neighborhood moments, from architectural details to human connections, we're looking for images that reveal the extraordinary within the ordinary.

Juror Greg Davis, Fort Worth

Juror Greg Davis, Fort Worth

Exhibit Dates
5/21/2026 - 6/27/2026

Exhibit Location
Beard Gallery, Art Center Waco, 701 S. 8th Street, Waco, TX 76706

Please read this prospectus carefully and only consider submitting work if you are certain you can comply with the requirements and timetable outlined in this document. By submitting artwork to this Call for Entry, and if your work is selected for this exhibition, you agree to exhibit your work from 5/21/2026 - 6/27/2026

Prospectus
Art Center Waco invites emerging and established photographers from Texas to submit original images for this juried photography exhibition celebrating the beauty, complexity, and humanity of urban life.

Exhibition Focus: "Urban Stories" seeks photographs that capture the authentic moments of daily life in our cities and towns—the people, interactions, routines, celebrations, and quiet observations that define our shared urban experience. From bustling street scenes to intimate neighborhood moments, from architectural details to human connections, we're looking for images that reveal the extraordinary within the ordinary.

The Exhibition Welcomes:

• Candid street photography
• Architectural and urban landscapes
• Community gatherings and cultural events
• Everyday moments and interactions
• Cityscapes and town life
• Urban nature and public spaces
• Transportation and movement

Not Permitted:

• Studio headshots and studio portraits
• OR Studio headshots and animal portraits
• OR Studio headshots, portraits, and animal photography
• Artworks that, in the reasonable judgment of the organizer, include pornography, explicit violence, racial or religious hatred, or other inappropriate and/or offensive content will not be accepted.

Original photographic works only. All submitted works must be available for sale. The sale of works supports both the artist and ACW programming.

Eligibility
Emerging and established visual artists working in original photography residing in the state of Texas, over the age of 18.

Important Timeline Dates

Submission Deadline: Monday, May 4th, 2026 at 11:59 pm, CST
Notification of Acceptance: On or before Friday, May 8th by the close of business

All chosen artwork must be delivered onsite at Art Center Waco, between Tuesday, May 12 - Saturday May 16th, 2026  by the end of business hours (5 pm/2pm on Saturdays). Any artwork that does not meet that deadline will not be included in the exhibit. Artists are responsible for either dropping off or shipping artwork to Art Center Waco by this date.

Shipping Instructions
Please ship to the address below.

Art Center Waco
“NAME“
701 S. 8th Street
Waco, TX 76706

Handling Fees
A $15 handling fee will be required for each box/crate shipped, payable to Art Center Waco. Artists whose work is accepted and requires shipping will be billed separately via email.

In-person drop-off
Artwork will be accepted onsite for drop off Tuesday, May 12 - Saturday, May 16th, 2026, between 11 am – 5 pm (2 pm Saturdays).

Liability  
Legal Agreement & Participant’s Waiver: Submission of work automatically waives any claim for damage or loss against ACW, including the officers, members, and employees, unless the damage or loss is the result of the gross negligence of ACW. Work should be independently insured by the artist.

Usage Rights
The artist retains all copyright interests or claims that they have in their art. By submitting images, you give ACW the right to use and reproduce the images to market and document the exhibition, and to enable the image to be part of an online exhibition.

Artist’s recognition is provided with any use. ACW reserves the right to adjust any deadline(s) as the result of causes beyond its immediate control. Payment of the submission fee indicates acknowledgment of all terms and conditions.

Artwork Pickup
Participating artists who delivered their art in person will pick it up at the Art Center Waco no later than Saturday, July 11, 2026 during business hours (Sat 10am-2pm)

Works not picked up or collected 15 days after Saturday, July 11, may be deemed abandoned; ACW may donate or dispose of abandoned works at its discretion.

Return of Shipped Artwork
Those who shipped their artwork will make arrangements to have it shipped back with the packaging that it came in. The artist is responsible for the cost and arrangement of shipping. The artist is solely responsible for any time, materials, storage, shipment, or other charges that may arise from inadequate packaging, or delayed or redirected shipments. All artwork must be shipped out by July 2, 2026.

For questions, email bella@artcenterwaco.org

• Artist bio up to 200 words
• Artist Statement up to 400 words, related to this work
• May submit up to three (3) pieces of artwork
• No minimum size for each artwork, Maximum size up to 72” wide, 72” high, and 4” deep or less, Wall works can’t exceed 60lbs
• Photographs have to be framed and ready to hang
• Retail price (ACW commission = 30%, artist keeps 70%)

Emerging and established visual artists working in original photography residing in the state of Texas, over the age of 18.

Artwork Guidelines

• All 2D eligible. Photography and Mixed Media with majority photography, no digital reproductions of paintings.
• Artwork must have been created in the past 2 years.
• Artwork previously exhibited with ACW is not eligible.
• Artwork previously exhibited at a local Waco based gallery in the past two years is not eligible.
• All work must be original. Work found to be copied from copyrighted work will not be included. No reproductions of original works” (e.g., giclée prints of paintings), while photographic prints are allowed.
• All work must be exhibition-ready to install.
  • Acceptable hardware:
    • Securely attached D-rings and braided picture wire (preferred method).
    • French cleats may be used for heavy or large works; if used, the artist must provide both the wall and artwork sides of the cleat with clear installation instructions.
    • Works on panel may include fixed cleats, provided the system is level and stable.
  • Not accepted:
    • No sawtooth hangers, clip frames, or keyhole slots (they cannot be used on ACW’s gallery walls).
    • No loose eye hooks, nails, or hanging cords that are not professionally secured.
    • No adhesives, velcro, or command strips.
      Works on paper, photography, and collage on paper must be framed and ready to hang.

If your photograph contains identifiable individuals, buildings, or private property, it is the artist’s responsibility to: Ensure the photograph was legally captured, and confirm you have any required permissions for exhibition, if applicable. ACW does not require you to submit releases, but reserves the right to request proof if concerns arise.

Work that does not adhere to the guidelines, or is deemed not to be a faithful representation of the image submitted, will not be exhibited.

All 2D works must be framed and exhibition ready to install and wall works can’t exceed 60lbs.