Entry fees are a standard part of the art world. They help galleries cover the costs of jury review, exhibitions, and operations. Let's break down how entry fees work on Crafted Call and what you should expect.
How Entry Fees Work
Each call has an entry fee set by the hosting gallery. This fee:
Covers the cost of processing your submission, jurying, and exhibition
Is nonrefundable (unless the call is cancelled)
Is required to complete your submission
Is charged once per application (not per image or artwork)
The entry fee is not a guarantee of acceptance. Galleries use entry fees to fund the jurying process, not as a selection criterion. Your work is evaluated on artistic merit alone.
Different calls have different fees—some might be $35, others $75. Always check the call details before applying so there are no surprises.
Tiered Pricing: Early Bird, Regular, and Late
Many galleries use tiered pricing to encourage early submissions and manage workflow:
Early Bird Pricing (Usually the First 2–4 Weeks):
Lowest price (e.g., $35 instead of $50)
Rewards artists who plan ahead and submit early
Helps galleries forecast submission volume
Regular Pricing (Middle Period):
Standard fee (e.g., $50)
Applies to most of the submission window
Most artists submit at this tier
Late Fee (Final 1–2 Weeks Before Deadline):
Higher price (e.g., $60 or $65)
Reflects the increased processing burden as the deadline approaches
Encourages you not to procrastinate
Each tier has specific dates, which you'll see on the call details page.
Pro tip: Plan ahead and submit during early bird pricing when possible. You'll save money and avoid last-minute stress.
Pricing for Multiple Submissions
If a call allows multiple submissions per artist, here's how pricing typically works:
First submission: Full price (e.g., $50)
Each additional submission: Discounted rate (e.g., $25 or $30 each)
Some galleries offer "submission packages" that further discount bulk submissions:
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Submit 2 works for $75 (instead of $100)
Submit 3 works for $100 (instead of $150)
Check the call details to see what pricing structure applies.
Example: A call charges $50 for the first submission and $25 for each additional. If you submit 3 artworks, you'll pay $50 + $25 + $25 = $100 total.
Payment Methods
Crafted Call uses Stripe, the industry standard for secure online payments. At checkout, you can pay with:
Credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover)
Debit card
Apple Pay or Google Pay (if on mobile)
Payment is processed immediately and securely. You'll receive an email confirmation with your submission details and payment receipt.
Your payment information is never stored. Stripe handles all processing, and Crafted Call only stores your confirmation code and submission details.
Using Coupon Codes
Galleries sometimes offer coupon codes to reduce entry fees:
Promotional codes (e.g., "EARLYBIRD20" for 20% off)
Group discounts (for arts organizations or artist collectives)
At checkout, look for "Have a coupon code?" or "Enter promo code"
Paste your code (copy exactly as provided, including capitals)
Click "Apply"
The discount will show on your invoice
Proceed with payment
See the article "Using Coupon Codes" for detailed troubleshooting if your code doesn't work.
Common Fee Structures
Every gallery sets their own pricing, but here are typical examples:
Small Regional Call:
Early bird: $25
Regular: $35
Late: $45
Multiple submissions: +$15 each
Mid-Size Biennial:
Early bird: $45
Regular: $55
Late: $65
Multiple submissions: +$20 each
Large National Juried Show:
Early bird: $65
Regular: $75
Late: $85
Multiple submissions: +$35 each
The size, prestige, and location of a call affect the fee. If a fee seems unusually high or low, it's worth checking the call details to understand what's included.
Refund Policies
Refund policy depends on the gallery, so always check before you apply.
Typical scenarios:
Non-Refundable (Most Common):
Once you submit and pay, the fee cannot be refunded
Even if your work is not selected, the fee is non-refundable
This is the standard across the art world
Cancellation Scenarios:
If the gallery cancels the call, you receive a full refund
If you submit by mistake, some galleries may refund if you request within a few minutes—contact them immediately
If a technical error occurs, the gallery may refund—contact support
Best practice: Read the gallery's refund policy before submitting. If you're unsure whether to apply, it's worth the risk of a small entry fee to get feedback from a juror.
Tax & Payment Records
Entry fees are not tax-deductible in most cases, as they're considered a cost of doing business (not a charitable donation). Keep receipts for your records:
Crafted Call emails you a confirmation after payment
Save this email for your tax and business records
If you're a sole proprietor, these fees are a legitimate business expense
Consult a tax professional if you have questions about what's deductible in your situation.
Troubleshooting Payment Issues
Payment declined?
Check that your card is valid and not expired
Try a different payment method
Contact your bank if multiple attempts are declined
If the issue persists, reach out to the gallery
Double-charged?
This is rare, but if it happens, contact support immediately with proof
Do not resubmit while investigating
Submitted but no confirmation?
Check your email (including spam folder) for a confirmation
Refresh the page to see if submission completed
If still unclear, contact the gallery
Entry fees are a normal cost of submitting to calls. Plan your budget, watch for early bird deadlines, and use coupon codes when available. The fee is an investment in your career and the art community.
