Guidelines for Artists and Makers

Community Arts at Yale West Campus 

Community Arts at Yale West Campus aims to celebrate the West Campus community by creating an environment that is welcoming to everyone who works at and visits campus. The pilot program recognizes the value of art in generating vibrant, inclusive spaces, and through this initiative, seeks to perpetually enhance and support the West Campus community. 

Art Exhibit Space

For years 2024-26, the pilot program will be in the Yale West Campus Conference Center, 800 West Campus Drive. Specific wall space has been identified by Yale West Campus Administration for the first two years of the program. 

Eligibility                                                  

Artists and makers affiliated with Yale West Campus may submit work for consideration in response to open calls. Affiliation includes students, staff, faculty, alumni, and their family members or relatives.

Selection Criteria

The purpose of the rotating Community Arts at Yale West Campus exhibition is to celebrate the diversity of the Yale West Campus Community through artwork that promotes inclusivity of the campus physical environment. Comprising members of the West Campus community, the Community Arts at Yale West Campus Review Committee will prioritize work that represents the whole campus. 

We welcome creative work in all media and invite community artists and makers to submit individual works for consideration, or a small series of up to three pieces. The art imagery and media should be appropriate for family viewing in public spaces with respect for cultural backgrounds and the Yale community.

Acceptance of any art is at the sole discretion of the Community Arts at Yale West Campus program.

The following elements will not be accepted:

  • Anything angry, scary, or violent
  • Specific political or religious subjects or icons
  • Overt sexual content or nudity
  • Images featuring alcohol 

Number of Artworks

The size and type of artwork submitted determines how many will fit in the designated space.

Only artwork submitted and approved by the Community Arts at Yale West Campus Committee will be accepted for installation.

Every effort is made to hang as many of the artworks accepted for the space; however, all submitted pieces may not be used based on space constraints or Committee’s decision.

Length of Exhibit

Exhibits are expected to be on display for approximately 24 months in the initial pilot phase. Artworks must be removed at the end of the exhibit. West Campus is unable to accept donations of exhibited works.

Delivery/Return

  • Accepted artists are responsible for their shipping to and from Yale West Campus Conference Center. Accepted artwork must be delivered and picked up by hand or shipped to Yale West Campus administration by the stated date/time in one delivery.
  • Artwork must be delivered framed or prepared to be hung.
  • Accepted artists will be notified of the specific dates and deadlines for delivery and removal of their exhibit when they receive their acceptance notification.
  • The artist is expected to adhere to delivery instructions regarding place, date and time as well as hours for the exhibit space hours unless prior arrangements are made though Yale West Campus Administration.
  • The Community Arts at Yale West Campus Committee will be responsible for installing the artwork. Any specific installation requirements can be discussed with Committee prior to acceptance.
  • Artists must use appropriate packing material which cannot be stored at West Campus.
  • The Committee will deinstall the artwork.
  • Neither Yale West Campus Administration or Community Arts at Yale West Campus Committee can be held responsible for the security of artwork that is not picked up.
  • Artists must arrange for delivery of purchased art to a buyer after the exhibit is removed.

Insurance/Protection of Artwork

Artwork will be subject to the standard security and environmental controls in the West Campus Conference Center building. Yale West Campus Administration cannot guarantee that the conditions will be appropriate for all art.

Yale West Campus Administration does not have insurance for the artwork exhibits and is not responsible for any loss, theft, or damage to the artworks while in its possession or on display.

Artist agrees to hold Yale West Campus harmless with respect to any loss or damage to the artwork, regardless of the cause.

Use of Images for Promotion

Yale West Campus Administration requests the right to use images of the submitted work for promotional and display purposes. The Artist is credited by name in every possible case.

The Artist must notify Yale West Campus Administration in writing if they do not wish their artwork to appear in print or publications for the exhibition.

Title and Copyright

The Artist warrants and represents that he/she created the work of art and possesses unencumbered title and full copyright to each and all works of art consigned to the Community Art at Yale West Campus program under this agreement. This Agreement does not transfer any rights of title or copyright to Yale. 

Sale of Artwork

All inquiries will be directed to the artist for all sales. The artist’s name and contact information will be displayed at the exhibition site. Work does not need to be for sale to be eligible for acceptance. All work will remain on exhibit and cannot be removed by the artist until the close of the exhibit. 

Questions about these guidelines may be sent to jon.atherton@yale.edu