California College of the Arts
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Information for Exhibitors

The undergraduate exhibition program facilitates over 160 exhibitions a year in CCA's formal gallery spaces: the Bruce Galleries in San Francisco and the Oliver Art Center, North/South galleries, Irwin Student Center Galleries and Isabel Percy West Galleries in Oakland.

Additionally, the program manages three informal exhibition spaces in Oakland including the founders' glass case, the library glass case, and the café gallery.

The program mounts a diverse range of exhibitions including the following types of exhibits: solo senior, departmental exhibitions and reviews, student organizations, classes, and special exhibitions. Additionally, students and classes present work outside on the Oakland campus; outdoor installations require approval from Facilities and the Student Affairs Offices.

The Undergraduate Exhibition Program supports a variety of exhibition-related learning experiences; students gain direct experience and knowledge of art installation, exhibition planning, publicity, reception planning, coordinating and communicating with gallery staff and other artists, and documenting their exhibitions. Exhibitions and gallery interactions are structured to reflect professional arts practices. Thus students write exhibition applications and sign exhibition agreements, serve as their own exhibition preparators, and engage with program staff throughout their exhibition experience.

Program Policies

By exhibiting in the college galleries and on the campus, students agree to abide by the exhibition program policies. Gallery policies include, but are not limited to:

  • The Irwin Student Center, Isabel Percy West (IPW), North/South Galleries, and Bruce Galleries are intended for currently enrolled undergraduate students.
  • The Exhibitor(s) agrees to hold harmless the college (CCA), its officers, agents, officials, students, and employees, from any and all claims, action, causes of action, judgments, settlements or compromises and liens arising out of the entire exhibit.
  • The Exhibitor(s) agree to take whatever security precautions and/or safety measures necessary to secure their work. CCA can make suggestions about methods of securing work, however the ultimate responsibility lies that arise out of the entire exhibit, review, critique, or installation on campus or in any of the college exhibition spaces.
  • It is agreed that the Exhibitor(s) is responsible for leaving the exhibition space in good condition and the Exhibitor(s) is liable for any damage beyond normal wear and tear to any material or equipment used in connection with the exhibit.
  • CCA reserves the right to refuse use of the exhibition space or remove a show at any time if the exhibit is deemed plagiaristic, libelous, or otherwise not in keeping with the goals of the college. Additionally, causes for exhibition removal include fire code violation, health/safety hazard, or if abuse of this agreement is evidenced. If any of the aforementioned issues arise, the Undergraduate Exhibitions Program reserves the right to remove an exhibition without consultation or discussion with the exhibitor. If this occurs, the exhibitor will be charged for the labor involved in removing the exhibition.
  • Work placed in violation of college policies—for example, in unauthorized or unscheduled spaces without prior approval of an appropriate college official—is also subject to removal, and those responsible are subject to disciplinary action.
  • The college is not responsible for loss or damage to exhibited works before, during, or after the exhibit. It shall be the responsibility of the Exhibitor(s) to remove the works after the exhibit at the Exhibitor's sole risk and cost of transportation. The galleries have no storage facilities; any work left will be considered abandoned and will be discarded.
  • Regardless of their age, students are not permitted to provide or consume alcohol at undergraduate exhibition openings. All undergraduate openings will be monitored; students found drinking or serving alcohol will be subject to disciplinary action.
  • Students must have their reception in accordance with the college's regular reception nights. This schedule will be confirmed at the beginning of each semester. Oakland receptions are held on Wednesday evenings, 5:30–7:30 p.m. San Francisco receptions are held Tuesday evenings, 5:30–7:30 p.m. Do not print invitations without first confirming your reception time with the exhibition assistants.
  • At the beginning of the semester, the Student Affairs Office will verify your enrollment. At this point, the schedule (and your show) may shift. You will be notified of any changes.
  • For group exhibitions, the group leader is responsible for ensuring that all policies are followed, communicating with the exhibition staff, and paying the deposit and for any damages.
  • All students participating in the program are expected to maintain a CCA Webmail account to facilitate communication.
  • Further program policies are described in the program's application forms; these forms are available from the exhibitions staff and on this webpage. Supplementary applications are required in advance for installation-type exhibitions (wall painting etc.).
  • Those intending to execute unconventional installations are required to consult with the exhibitions staff in advance of their installation.
  • Please be aware that the college will bill your student account if your gallery is not fully restored on time or if the gallery or gallery materials and supplies are damaged. Fees include the cost of staff time to repair damage as well as the cost of materials. If deemed necessary by Undergraduate Exhibition staff, the student accounts of individual exhibitors participating in a group exhibition, critique, or departmental review also will be billed for damages related to their use of the gallery or in instances when work is not removed according to the designated schedule.
  • Please note that each gallery facility is designed to accommodate only certain types of work. For example, the North/South Galleries' ceiling is very fragile and is unable to support most hanging sculptures. Additionally, due to poor building ventilation, exhibitors may not paint the North/South Galleries walls except to restore them during de-installation. The Isabel Percy West Gallery has an extremely high ceiling; the college does not own a ladder tall enough for artists to access the ceiling.

Exhibition Applications

Exhibitions are scheduled up to two semesters in advance. Applications must be submitted by the published deadline. Information related to exhibition application will be announced via CCA webmail.

Due to the large number of applicants and space limitations, students cannot be guaranteed an exhibition space.

Assignment of exhibition spaces is based on several criteria, including seniority. Further information on the exhibition application process is available each year when the new application is distributed.