Cleveland County Arts Council

Artist Submission Guidelines and Opportunities

The Cleveland County Arts Council Gallery is located on the main floor of the Arts Center at 111 S. Washington St., Shelby, in the historic old Post Office. This historic building contains exhibit space with artwork offered for sale to the public. Cleveland County Arts Council (CCAC) has four opportunities for artists to have their work exhibited: the Feature Art Exhibit, ETC Sales Gallery, the annual County Competition, and exhibits at the Cleveland County Administration Building and Boiling Springs Town Hall.
Feature Art Exhibit – The Arts Council hosts 7 – 8 art exhibits each year featuring some of the best artists from the southern Piedmont and beyond. Each feature exhibit is ushered in with a festive reception. Although the gallery is booked 1-2 years in advance, CCAC is always looking for new and exciting artwork from local and regional artists. If chosen to exhibit, the artist(s) or organization is responsible for the following:

  • Sign artist contract and comply with all requests.
  • Delivery and removal of work to and from the gallery.
  • Preparation of artwork for display including framing, special installation needs, etc. Additional information will be available upon acceptance.
  • Pricing of artwork - Most of the work in a feature art exhibit must be for sale, and art priced below $500 sells best in our galleries.
  • Cost of additional invitations. The Arts Council will produce and mail approximately 450 invitations to our patrons. If the artist would like to send invitations to personal friends and family they may purchase these from the Arts Council.

ETC Sales Gallery - contains a wide variety of artwork from local and regional artists. We ask that the art remain on display up to six months. CCAC's commission on all art sales is 30% of the sales price.
Annual County Competition – Artists eighteen and older are eligible to submit work to this prestigious annual judged competition. Entries are limited to paintings, drawings, sculpture, print- making, and fine craft, which have been completed in the past two years and not previously entered in a competition at the Arts Center. Artists must be residents of Cleveland County.

Off Site Locations – The Arts Council coordinates and maintains exhibits at the Charlie Harry Administrative Building in Shelby and Boiling Springs Town Hall. The exhibits are changed quarterly.
To be considered for a Feature Art Exhibit, ETC, or off site locations:
Artist/Artists Groups/Organizations should send a biography and/or resume, an exhibit proposal, and samples of art to be considered for exhibit. Sides, photos, and images on CDs will be accepted. Do not send original works of art. Art samples should be clearly labeled with the title, medium, size, and date of completion. There is no application fee. Please include adequate postage for the return of materials. CCAC's commission on all art sales is 30% of the sales price. While the gallery accepts unsolicited exhibit applications on an ongoing basis, proposals are reviewed quarterly by the CCAC's Exhibit Selection Committee. All proposals are given careful consideration for exhibition and selections are based on quality of art, diversity of exhibits, and the gallery schedule.

Mailing/Delivery address for proposals:

Exhibit Selection Committee

Cleveland County Arts Council

111 S. Washington St.

Shelby, NC 28150

For more information or questions please call 704-484-2787 or email to .