Locust Projects invites local, national, and international artists to apply for the opportunity to access the space and resources to create an ambitious, large-scale new work in our approximately 2,500 sq ft MAIN GALLERY in our warehouse space in Little River. Exhibitions would take place in 2027 and 2028.

Proposals are reviewed by a rotating jury comprised of local, national and international artists who have previously exhibited at Locust Projects and one curator. The process is coordinated by artist Elizabeth Withstandley, co-founder of Locust Projects, with the final selection drawn from the panel's narrowed down recommendations by the Executive Director and scheduled based on overall programmatic balance, diversity, and scheduling availability. Approximately 75% of annual exhibitions are selected through the Open Call process with 25% selected by the Executive Director who serves as Chief Curator of programming.

Locust Projects provides selected artists with curatorial guidance, production budget, above minimum artist WAGE fee, documentation, and an opportunity to stay in the Locust Projects residency for site visits and while they build their site-specific installation. Our Chief Preparator provides feedback on fabrication plans, problem solving, and sourcing materials and vendors locally.

Register for the Info Session on Saturday, October 25 at 3pm EST.  

GENERAL GUIDELINES

Locust Projects is committed to supporting the creation and presention of ambitious new work. Existing work is not accepted for Open Calls. We show installation-based new work that creatively transforms space and allows artists to explore and experiment on a large-scale pushing their practice. To that end, this Proposal is for new, installation-based work that has never been presented before and is designed specifically for our Main Gallery. 

We present visual artists working in any medium and any stage in their career as long as the work they propose for Locust Projects demonstrably pushes their practice in new directions as part of our mission to invite risk-taking and experimentation. Collectives and artist collaborations are encouraged to apply as long as the work is presented as a singular vision - please note the artist fee remains the same. Note, Current MFA students not accepted, please see our LAB MFA Open Call in early 2026. Artists addressing social, political and environmental issues relevant to Miami through their projects are encouraged, but not required. Final projects are realized with support from a collaborative environment and supportive Locust Projects staff.

MAIN GALLERY OPEN CALL OPPORTUNITY

-Solo exhibition of ambitious and new, installation-based work created specifically for Locust Projects Main Gallery (approx. 2,500 square feet)  

-Required Engagement with the public through a minimum of one public program or activation that expands ideas behind the project (i.e. conversation, collaboration, performance)

MAIN GALLERY PROJECT SUPPORT

-$10,000 Project Budget (may include but is not limited to: production/fabrication, equipment rental, materials, professional/technical support, installation/construction labor, assistants, shipping, de-installation) Final approved budget must support proposal scope and scale of project, feasibility.

-$5,000 Artist Fee plus $60 per diem stipend for meals, local travel and incidentals for up to 21 days and up to $600 towards roundtrip flights and ground transport available to artists that live 150 miles away from Miami. (above and beyond travel expenses shall be applied to production budget). Artists may use the Artist Fee at their discretion.

-Accommodation in a private room at the Locust Projects Residency, a 2-bedroom/1 bath house which is 2 miles / 6 min. to Locust Projects. Note, one other artist may be in residence in the adjacent studio apartment.

-Basic infrastructure provided by Locust Projects includes access to use existing tool and AV equipment inventory, up to 32 hours preparator labor/assistance for install/de-install; as well as exhibition signage, installation documentation, and communications/promotional support

THE SELECTION PROCESS

The review process occurs in two stages:

Round 1
        Projects will be evaluated on:

• Feasibility – Is the project realistic within budget, timeline, and available resources?
• Extension of Practice – Does the project build upon and expand the artist’s ongoing body of work?
• Evidence of Professional Practice – Has the artist presented solo exhibitions or realized large-scale projects in the past?

Round 2
        Advancing projects will be evaluated on:

• Conceptual Strength and Ambition – Does the proposal demonstrate a strong conceptual framework and ambitious ideas that consider scale and/or transformative use of space?
• Strength of Past Work – What is the quality and impact of the artist’s or collective’s prior projects?
• Contemporary Relevance – Does the proposal present a compelling approach to contemporary artistic practice, including innovative use of medium and materials, engagement with societal concerns, introduce new media or technologies or cross-disciplinary collaboration, and/or potential for community impact?

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
  As the exhibition open call timeframe (2027–2028) falls within Locust Projects’ lease renewal cycle, projects should allow for some flexibility in height and configuration.

Please keep in mind, we are a non-traditional alternative art space. If the project could easily be presented in a traditional or commercial gallery setting or could be realized without the support of our organization, it is unlikely for us to consider your proposal. We do not show existing work, host traveling exhibitions, retrospectives, or group shows. We are not a commercial gallery, we do not offer artist representation. 

Locust Projects is proud to be W.A.G.E. Certified (Working Artists in the Greater Economy), ensuring that we have and we will continue to compensate artists fairly, at, or above, minimum W.A.G.E. fees For more information on W.A.G.E. certification, click here.

OPEN CALL: MAIN GALLERY:

The Main Gallery 2025 Open Call is open for submissions from September 23- November 16, 2025. To submit please send your proposal here through Submittable. Proposals will be considered for programing in 2026-2028.

Late submissions will not be accepted. (Please allow time for any possible technical difficulties by submitting well before the deadline.)

Please direct questions to submissions@locustprojects.org

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

1. Description of how your project fits Locust Projects Mission of commissioning experimental new work (100 words)
2. Project description - include, idea, process, components, and make sure to describe what the viewer/audience will see/hear/experience when they walk into your space (max. 300 words)
3. Opportunity Impact, explain how this opportunity is extending/pushing your practice? (max. 200 words)
4. Draft floorplan/rendering of proposed project available here  Up to 3 samples.
5. General artist statement (max. 250 words)
6. Please include a Bio, CV or Resume
7. Up to 3 sketches / renderings of proposed project or images relevant to the proposed - please describe the images (video links can be added to a PDF and uploaded)
8. Up to 5 images of previous/related work or 3 links to time based works
9. Image details (title, date, year medium, description if applicable, of the submitted work and/or links)
10. Project Budget (estimate production costs for the proposed project - i.e. materials, fabrication costs, shipping (one way or two), special equipment, technical support/expertise beyond a provided installer to support you while installing)