SAQA Exhibition FAQs

SAQA maintains a list of Calls for Entry that includes both Global and Regional Calls for Entry as well as other SAQA opportunities. Each Call for Entry will include a detailed prospectus that includes more specifics including who to contact for more information.

Weekly emails from SAQA will also include upcoming deadlines about our different opportunities. 

Each SAQA Call for Entry will usually have a one month time period when entries are accepted online. Specifics will be included in the prospectus.

NOTE: Prospectuses for the Global Exhibitions are posted online about one year before the final application deadline. Sometimes slight changes are made to the prospectus - please make sure you periodically review the online version so you are aware of these updates.

You must be a current SAQA member to enter both Global and Regional Calls for Entry. You do NOT have to be a Juried Artist member.

Regional Calls require you to be affiliated with a region specified in the prospectus. Each member can select a primary and secondary region in their profile.

Yes, SAQA exhibitions do require that artists submit work that is original and of their own design. Quilts made from patterns, kits, or completed in workshops with the collaboration or design of an instructor, or copies or clearly derivative work based on source material not made by the artist (including but not limited to artwork, photos, and AI generated images) are not eligible.

If you have questions, please contact the exhibition coordinator referenced in the prospectus.

Collaboration on an artwork means one or more persons worked as a team to jointly create the artwork and each person contributed in some significant way to the artwork, sharing credit for its' creation. This does not include the production of material used, paid labor or contract quilting.

Collaboration is permitted provided:

• All artists collaborating on the artwork must be SAQA members.
• The artwork is entered only once under the name of the artist serving as the contact for the artwork, in the designated space on the entry form listing all collaborating artists.
• Only one fee is charged for the individual artist's form and the collaborative work is counted as one of the three artworks each artist is permitted to enter either as a solo artist or in collaboration with others.

Each artist will be asked to confirm on the submission form that to the best of the Artist's knowledge, the artwork does not violate any current copyright laws. Information about copyright permissions should be included in the artist statement.

Permission to use another's work as inspiration does not mean that clearly derivative works will be accepted for global exhibitions - only original creative artwork may be submitted.

No, SAQA does not have a requirement that an artwork be made after a certain date for our Global Exhibitions. All SAQA member work that meets the requirements in the prospectus is eligible for entry, with the exception of work previously shown in a SAQA Global Exhibition.

Note that the date requirement may differ for regional exhibitions - check the prospectus for details.

Each exhibition is designed to hang in specific venues, many of which have specified exactly what size artwork they can accommodate.

Sizes are not negotiable and any entry that does not meet those requirements will be reviewed to determine whether it will be excluded from the exhibit. Any embellishment that extends past the edge of the work, in any direction, is included in the size measurements.  

Late submissions are not accepted and we STRONGLY encourage that you don't wait until the last minute to start your entry. The entry form is designed to close automatically at the designated time (usually midnight Eastern Time on the last day).

The artist statement is specific to the entered piece (not your artist bio) and should not contain your name, your website, or any other information that would affect the blind jury process. The statement is limited to 700 characters (approximately 125 words) and may be edited for clarity if your piece is submitted.

The materials and techniques sections each have a limit of 200 characters (approximately 40 words) and should not contain any brand names or artist names.

For more information:

Craft an Amazing Artist Statement in Less Than 60 Words

Write artist statements that welcome, captivate your audiences

No, it is not required that your piece be for sale (unless otherwise indicated on the prospectus) for a SAQA Global Exhibition. Regional exhibitions may differ - check the prospectus.

SAQA charges 25% commission and some exhibiting venues might charge a commission (total commission will not exceed 50%).

Pricing should be consistent with the artist’s sales record, if any, or comparable works. Do not deduct any amount for commission when determining this value.

If a quilt is not for sale, it must be specified in the application, and an insurance value must be included in the application. Artwork prices cannot be changed after the application is submitted.

For SAQA calls, jurors select the work through images submitted online as part of the entry form - they do NOT see the actual artwork. This is why it is vital to send the best possible images. Using a professional photographer is recommended but not required.

For more details about preparing digital images, check out the resource below

This is the value determined by the artist that represents the US dollar amount the work would be priced, if it were available for sale. This amount may not be changed after the entry is submitted and is only applicable if your piece is not for sale.

The submission form will include the specific file requirements for the particular call (these may vary). While the form does NOT check the pixel size or file size on uploaded files, you will want to ensure that your images meet the specifications.

To check the pixel size of the image on your computer:

• Open the folder or file location where the image is saved.
• Right-click the image.
• Select Get Info (Mac) or Properties (Windows). For Windows users, you also need to click on either the Details or Summary tab for the information. The tab will depend on your operating system.

If your file exceeds the maximum pixel size, you will need to resize it smaller. This can be done using Preview (MAC), Paint (Windows), or other software products. There are also some online file resizers such as https://picresize.com or https://www1.lunapic.com/editor. In addition to pixel size, they also have the ability to resize image size in MB.

NOTE: If your file size is below the minimum pixels, you will need to get another picture. You cannot increase the number of pixels without a loss of image quality.

Even if your image file is within the specific pixel range, it may still be too large for uploading due to image resolution, number of colors, compression/quality, etc.

You can check the file size using the instructions above. Remember that 1000 KiloBytes (KB) = 1 MegaByte (MB). To reduce the file size, you may need to set a pixel size closer to the minimum requirement.

NOTE: A submission form cannot exceed 25 MB in uploaded image files (usually there are a maximum of 3 per artwork). You will receive an error if this limit is exceeded.

Since there are slight variations in how file sizes are calculated, we recommend a 24 MB target size for ALL your uploaded images (12 MB each if submitting 2 images or 8 MB each for 3 images). You can slightly decrease the image quality or resolution when saving the image to reduce the file size.

If you are accepted into a SAQA Global exhibition, you WILL be contacted if your image isn't suitable for print purposes.

SAQA strives to produce professional exhibitions that can be marketed to a variety of venues. Jurors help to meet this goal by pulling together a cohesive body of work that is aesthetically and thematically cohesive from a diverse slate of entries.

Jurors with diverse backgrounds and artistic training are sought and may include museum curators, artists working within the academic community, and well-known artists of all media. Jurors use a blind jurying process to make their final selections for the exhibition - no artist information is available to them.

Each Call for Entry will usually have a fee for entering the exhibition. This fee must be paid by everyone, regardless if your artwork is accepted or not. Fees can be paid online (credit card or paypal) via www.saqa.com/fees during the entry window.

Once the call closes, you will be contacted if you still need to submit a payment or if your membership isn't current. Failure to pay your fee can result in your pieces not being included in the jurying process.If you have any questions regarding your payment, please contact info@saqa.com. 

Each exhibition has a detailed prospectus online that specifies what can and cannot be entered. Some of these restrictions may be based upon venue that will be hosting the exhibition.

Some of SAQA’s calls do invite 3D, sculptural or installation type entries and will be specifically addressed in the call details.

Work accepted for SAQA exhibitions that are installation, three-dimensional, sculptural, freestanding or wearable, may require the artist to provide display equipment necessary to properly install the piece. This could include pedestals, armatures, mannequins, or custom-made display supports. While many venues provide pedestals, the artist may need to provide the weight of the artwork and might be able to suggest height and size of such pedestal.

Artists should also be prepared, if necessary, to provide unusual or specific lighting for installation works, if such lighting is not typical for the venue’s light system (e.g. spotlights, or floor lights). 

Artists will need to provide step-by-step instructions for the assembly, installation, and display of any work that is not simply hung directly onto a wall.  These instructions should also include, if necessary, clear guidelines for unpacking and repacking of the work for return shipment, including photos, and diagrams.

In the event of a video submission, artists should be prepared, if necessary, to provide the appropriate monitor or projection equipment for viewing. Also, any accepted video should be submitted to the venue in the format requested by the venue, such as DVD, thumbdrive, or upload.

Each prospectus will include a date by which notifications will be sent. Sometimes the jurying process will be completed earlier. Both accepted and declined artists are contacted via email about their status. The list of accepted artists will be announced soon afterwards. 

Make sure your email address is correct in every place entered, add @SAQA.com to your contacts list, check your spam and junk folders. If you still haven’t found any information by the date for notification, contact info@saqa.com or the Exhibition Coordinator listed on the prospectus or info@saqa.com.

Soon after notifications go out, accepted artists will receive Artist Instructions which will include shipping instructions and an artist contract. Please review these carefully.

Before completing your submission, please double check that any work submitted has not been entered in or accepted to any other exhibition that may overlap with the dates of this show. You will need to wait until you receive your official notification from one show before entering another.

Remember, SAQA requires that accepted artwork remain available for the entire length of the exhibition and cannot be withdrawn before the end of the exhibition schedule for any reason.

Withdrawal after entry submission but before acceptance will result in a forfeiture of the entry fee; withdrawal once work has been accepted whether prior to or during the exhibition may result in the artist being excluded from future SAQA shows.

Members may submit up to three pieces of art for each global exhibition, however jurors will be instructed to select no more than one artwork per artist per exhibition. Regional exhibitions may have different policies.

No. Your quilt must match the image that was submitted for the jury process and any entry that does not meet this requirement will be reviewed by the Exhibition Committee Chairs to determine whether it will be excluded from the exhibit.

When applying to a SAQA Call for entry, there are no restrictions regarding the publication of images of your artwork. This is true even if your artwork is accepted. 

Yes, the label must contain the title of the work, your name and address, and telephone number and should be adhered to the back of the work for wall-hung pieces.

If your piece is not wall-hung, you can attach your label to the bottom of the piece or somewhere it is not visible. If there is no place for a label (a two-sided ceiling hung or installation piece), just ensure all contact information is included with your piece

Sleeves / Hanging Requirements

For 2D works, a sleeve should be attached one inch from the top of the quilt and should extend to only one inch inside each edge of the work. The sleeve should have enough give to accommodate a hanging rod and hooks. For SAQA global exhibitions, hanging rods are provided.

Note: the instructions below reference a 5 inch sleeve - other sizes are acceptable if they are more appropriate for your piece.

How to Make a Hanging Sleeve / Rod Pocket »

If your piece cannot hang from a standard hanging rod (sheer pieces, ceiling-hung, 3D, etc.), you may asked to provide your own hanging apparatus. The submission form will ask for additional details.

PLEASE NOTE: While a sleeve is preferred, other alternative hanging methods may be used if it's more appropriate for your artwork. This can include a wired slats or similar.

If you require additional clarification, please contact the exhibition coordinator listed on the call detail page.

No, each artist is responsible for following the shipping instructions included in the Artist Instructions. SAQA does not pay for shipping of artwork to our Exhibition Management Center in Ohio. SAQA will cover shipping costs to the venues and back to the artist when the final exhibition closes. 

Non-US artists can request reimbursement for a portion of their shipping costs.

Most exhibits require that work be able to be rolled, folded, collapsed or otherwise able to travel between venues in one of SAQA’s traveling crates along with the other works in the exhibit. SAQA asks that artists engineer their piece(s) to break down or fold so they can fit into the space allotted. Note that this does not apply for SAQA calls which allow for 3D pieces.

When artwork does not fit in a SAQA’s shipping crate SAQA may require that the artist provide a suitable container for shipping the work from venue to venue. The artist may be asked to pay a portion of the additional shipping fees. If a work is selected by the juror, SAQA will work with the artist to determine the amount of the artist’s liability and the artist’s liability will be limited to the agreed amount.

For questions regarding the shipping policy, please contact William Reker at exhibitions@saqa.com. 

No, work must be available to travel throughout the duration of an exhibition. It is SAQA policy that once a work has been accepted, it cannot be withdrawn for any reason until the end of the exhibition travel schedule. If a work is sold during the exhibition, the purchaser must wait until the end of the exhibition to receive the work.

Each exhibition is different and not all works can be shown in every venue. SAQA markets each exhibition in its entirety and works with venues to ensure the maximum number of pieces possible will be shown in each venue. The venues have different space limitations and many museum and gallery venues also have curators that exercise creative control over the presentation of an exhibition within their venue.

Work that sells from a SAQA Global Exhibition will not be delivered to the buyer until after the exhibition ends. SAQA will hold all sales monies received in a customer deposit account until the end of the return period (14 days after the artwork is received by the buyer). SAQA shall pay all proceeds due to the Artist (less any applicable commissions) within 30 days of end of the return period.

SAQA will arrange to insure the artworks during the exhibition and while it travels, until it is returned to the artist. We do require our exhibiting venues to carry their own insurance as well.

In the event of loss or damage, artists WILL be asked to provide sales records and/or appraisals as supporting documentation towards determining the insurance value of artwork. Any negotiation regarding final valuation is between the artist and the insurance company. SAQA’s liability is limited to the amount paid by insurance.

Working in conjunction with SAQA's Director of Exhibitions, the SAQA Exhibition Committee is a dedicated group of volunteers whose mission is to find and develop opportunities for our members to show their work. Those opportunities may include museums, international expositions, quilt show venues, regional exhibits, galleries, or trunk show presentations.