ACME Opens Artist Call for City Hall and Airport Exhibitions Showcasing Austin’s Creative Talent

Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment is pleased to announce open calls for the 2026–28 People’s Gallery exhibition at Austin City Hall and the 2026 Changing Exhibits Program at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS). Both exhibitions will run from October 2026 through May 2028. There are no submission fees to apply.  The application deadline is 11:59 p.m., Sunday, May 31, 2026.

“Austin’s creative community is the heartbeat of our city. These exhibitions provide a platform for artists to share their vision with thousands of residents and visitors, reinforcing our commitment to cultural vibrancy and inclusivity," said Angela Means, Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment Director. 

People’s Gallery – Austin City Hall   

Located on the first three floors of City Hall, the People’s Gallery is part of an ongoing exhibition series that showcases local and regional artistic endeavors while encouraging public dialogue, understanding, and enjoyment of visual art. The exhibition reflects Austin’s artistic excellence and cultural diversity and supports the City’s cultural and economic initiatives. The People’s Gallery accepts 2-D and 3-D artworks in all media. As a high-visibility venue, City Hall welcomes more than 200,000 visitors annually. 

• People’s Gallery 301 W. 2nd St., Austin, TX 78701

Hours: Open Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. (except City holidays)  

Changing Exhibits Program at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport  

The Changing Exhibits Program enhances the traveler experience by presenting regional artwork that reflects a strong sense of place. For the coming season, ACME invites artists to respond to the exhibition call’s theme, Vestiges of the Future.  ACME seeks multi-disciplinary exhibition proposals. Spread throughout the terminal, 12 gallery spaces engage more than 20,000 daily visitors with local creativity and culture. 

• ACME Exhibition at AUS: The airport exhibition is accessible to ticketed passengers in the post-security area.  

Eligibility & Artwork Requirements  

ACME seeks applications from: 

• Austin-area visual artists 

• Austin-based galleries or visual arts organizations  

All selected artworks must be exhibition-ready, including appropriate framing, mounting, installation hardware, pedestals, stands, or other equipment. Artworks must be free-standing and self-operating. Any artist-provided stands must be approved by the ACME Program Coordinator prior to delivery. Additional installation instructions and coordination will be provided after final selections are made. 

Sales  

Selected artists may offer their artwork for sale. The City of Austin does not take commission or compensation from any sales, and all transactions must be handled directly by the artist or the representing gallery. 

Who Can Apply 

• Professional artists aged 18+ who live or work in the Austin area, including Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, or Williamson Counties 

• Austin-based visual arts organizations 

• City employees who are not employed by ACME may apply for the People’s Gallery exhibition only, but artwork may not be offered for sale.  

Application Information 

Act now - applications close May 31, 2026. Complete guidelines and submission links available at https://www.austintexas.gov/arts-culture/art-public-places/open-calls.

Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment

Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment was established to streamline the city's cultural efforts into a single hub, combining all resources for cultural arts, public art, heritage centers, heritage tourism, music, and special events. ACME strives to enhance coordination, improve services, and create synergistic opportunities to sustain and develop Austin’s rich creative ecosystem and places, ensuring Austin remains a global destination for creative experiences while honoring the city’s rich heritage.   

ACME is committed to ensuring the exhibition application process is accessible to all artists. Artists requiring accommodations – such as technical support or other types of support are encouraged to contact us at acme@austintexas.gov. 

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