BOX 13 ArtSpace, an artist-run studio and gallery venue in Houston’s East End neighborhood, has announced an open call for exhibition proposals for its 2026 season. The call invites self-directed artists to submit proposals for four gallery spaces within the building: the Front Gallery, Back Gallery, Window BOX Gallery, and Upstairs Gallery. Applicants must be prepared to install their own work or arrange for local assistance, as the space has no staff or budget for shipping, travel, or equipment. The deadline for proposals is September 30, 2025, with notifications by October 28, 2025. Virtual and in-person information sessions are scheduled for September 17 and 20, respectively.
This open call matters because it highlights the ongoing role of artist-run spaces in fostering experimental contemporary art outside traditional institutional frameworks. BOX 13’s model offers emerging and established artists significant creative freedom, while also underscoring the resourcefulness required to exhibit without institutional support. The call is part of a broader summer cycle of artist opportunities in Texas, including similar calls at Art League Houston, Artpace San Antonio, and the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, reflecting a vibrant regional ecosystem for artist-driven exhibitions.