Emerging Artist Program
Next Emerging Artist Deadline: November 15, 2025
The Emerging Artist Program at the Springfield Art Association (SAA) is designed to support artists in the early stages of their professional careers. Like our juried artist members, emerging artists go through a formal jury process and have the opportunity to regularly show their work at SAA Collective, located in our fresh, vibrant gallery space at 5th and Washington.
This program offers many of the same benefits as our professional artist membership, but at a lower annual cost and with fewer obligations, making it an ideal entry point for artists building their practice. We accept only five emerging artists at a time to ensure personalized attention and meaningful engagement. Emerging Artists pay annual dues of $200, have no required volunteer hours, and gain access to professional development opportunities tailored to their individual needs through a series of specialized workshops led by experienced artists and educators.
Artist Benefits:
All applicants will be reviewed by a panel of three jurors, two affiliated with the SAA and one regional guest juror. Applicants must present three physical works per media category and up to twelve digital images for consideration. The jury system helps ensure that work shown in the Collective meets high standards of creativity, technical skill, and presentation.
Our mission is to uplift artists at all stages of their journey. The Emerging Artist Program reflects our belief that early support and community access can make a lasting difference in an artist’s career.
Read full exhibition guidelines
The Emerging Artist Program at the Springfield Art Association (SAA) is designed to support artists in the early stages of their professional careers. Like our juried artist members, emerging artists go through a formal jury process and have the opportunity to regularly show their work at SAA Collective, located in our fresh, vibrant gallery space at 5th and Washington.
This program offers many of the same benefits as our professional artist membership, but at a lower annual cost and with fewer obligations, making it an ideal entry point for artists building their practice. We accept only five emerging artists at a time to ensure personalized attention and meaningful engagement. Emerging Artists pay annual dues of $200, have no required volunteer hours, and gain access to professional development opportunities tailored to their individual needs through a series of specialized workshops led by experienced artists and educators.
Artist Benefits:
- Gallery representation through the SAA Collective
- Access to SAA-led workshops geared toward career development and creative growth
- Artist webpage with bio, headshot, artist statement, and samples of work
- Online Artist Shop page for sales
- Opportunity to participate in group exhibitions and juried shows
- Promotion of your exhibitions through SAA’s social media and website
- 10% discount on gallery purchases at both SAA Galleries
- Discounted member rates on classes and events
- NEW: Reciprocity benefits at over 2,000 cultural institutions in North America via NARM and ROAM
- Annual dues of $200
- No volunteer hours required
- Gallery retains 35% commission on all sold work
- All work on the wall must be original. Artists may include prints in print bins.
All applicants will be reviewed by a panel of three jurors, two affiliated with the SAA and one regional guest juror. Applicants must present three physical works per media category and up to twelve digital images for consideration. The jury system helps ensure that work shown in the Collective meets high standards of creativity, technical skill, and presentation.
Our mission is to uplift artists at all stages of their journey. The Emerging Artist Program reflects our belief that early support and community access can make a lasting difference in an artist’s career.
Read full exhibition guidelines
Current Emerging Artists
Savannah Saltsgaver - 3D
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Iris Mae Heart - Painting
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Harriett Zipfel - Fiber Arts
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Gay Sybert - Pastel
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Hanna Struck - Painting
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Alex Demeroukas - Painting
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